Any lighting suggestions for new tank???

[DeAngelove]

Hey guys -
I am trying to decide what type of lighting I should get for my new 46 gallon bowfront. The single flourescent 25-w bulb is obviously not going to cut it, as I have twice that much lighting in my 10 gallon mini-reef tank. I have a fat finger leather coral, condylactis anemone, feather duster, electric flame scallop as well as a few small fish that will be moving into the 46 very soon. I want the new tank to have some more soft corals & polyps and a fish or two for sure, but I would like to be able to have a clam of some sort and even possibly a hard coral or two. I've talked to the people at a least half a dozen LFS here; just want an idea of what people who don't have a vested interest in what type I end up purchasing, think. PLMK what you guys think... and have a great day!

~Denise 8)

[manny]

What are the dimensions?

[RobertG]

Clams put you in a whole different category. Hard corals & Clams are what you might want eventually. I would go ahead & stepup to some MH. I say this because I have been where you are. Next your going to wish you had not bought anything else. At least thats the way it worked for me. Started with 2 PC 96W. Then came a time I had 4 PC 96W. Then I took the bite, went to 750W MH.. My tank has had all new look since then. If you might want it, wait & get what you want. Lighting is key in the corals you have spoke of wanting in the future. Dont make the wasted investments I did if it is the money holding you back be patient & save a little more!! In the long run you will wish you did if you dont.

[DeAngelove]

Where can i get the best price on a MH.....I can't afford the prices i've seen in the LFS. What is the best type of fixture and bulb?

[RobertG]

I would look online. Try www.premiumaquatics.com I deal with Cory, He seems to like the club. Mention the club he might help you out a little. Also they are one of the sponsors of maast.

I really like the DE 250W 10 K. I run 4 of these. DE has the same lumen output as a mogul base 400W.
Really efficient I think. Electronic ballast will save you in the long run.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code =PFO-HQI250SYS&Category_Code=PFOp

[StephenA]

I might be selling my two 150 Watt Nova II's in the near future. Get something that will suit your needs later. MH's are high priced. Watch the cheap stuff. Nothing worse than a nice tank and cheap, tacky lights hanging above it. RobertG, is right about the Electonic Ballast!

I prefer Giesemann (http://www.giesemannlicht.com/catalogue.php?page=prodlight&id=3) for the look and quality. They wont rust. They will last forever. And they add style to the tank and room.

[DeAngelove]

I think the Nova II's are the same ones I looked at Aquatek, but they were nearly $500 a piece, I can't spend that kind of money, how much would you be asking for yours used? Why are you selling them?

[StephenA]

I moved from a 72Gal Bow to a 120Gal tank this week. I need to switch over to the 250Watt fixtures. They are 6 months old, Blue. I'd take $400 each for them. Here is a pic of them (http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=44215&hig hlight=#44215)

[DeAngelove]

Yeah, thats the same ones I looked at, but unfortunately $400 is way out of my price range.

[dan]

you could go the DIY way. buy a ballast and a mogul socket. thats what i did. i'm running 2-250watt 10k and 1-400watt 20k and i love it. go to hello lights. it's true if you buy PCs and lower you will not be happy if you plan to have clams and sps's. DON'T THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! unless your bill gates. lol

[RobertG]

DeAngelove I have a pendant I will let loose of for 250.00 $$ Stephen are you ready to sell at least one of these. It will go well with the three others I have. If you want 400 I will go for one. I would hope to sell the HQI setup I have now. Check the pics I have posted DeAngelove, You will notice the light in the left corner does'nt match the others. It has a electronic ballast Icecap W/ Pendant. The bulb is about 8 Months old. I would use this bulb for a little while at least 3-4 months to get habitants used to the greater light.

Let me know thoughts. This is what I have been looking for. I am talking with Roger At Aquatek about finding me just a pendant to go with the icecap ballast. If he comes through it might be better for me to deal with him. Just depends on the cost of pendant by itself. He has asked me to check with him on Tuesday....

[StephenA]

I'm waiting on one of these (http://www.giesemannlicht.com/detail.php?id=400) for the replacement of my Nova II's. Not sure how long it will take to get in.

[RobertG]

I will let you know what the status of my situation is. I would be interested if Roger cant come through. That is a slim chance, Roger is pretty thourough. Thanks & Good luck with that beutiful piece of lighting. You have the problem I used to have, Lights exposed over tank. I am lucky you cant see them anymore!! :-D

[StephenA]

Tell me about it. They light the whole house! And I would hate to hide such a nice looking light (more so such an expensive fixture)

[MikeP]

DeAngelove - I had a 46 some time ago , they are a pain to light because of the center brace (whatever some people tell you do not cut it out - you'll have your tank on the floor eventually). In that particular tank T5s or VHOs would work ok but the problem I found with VHOs is with the endcap they are hard to fit into a canopy. t5s are a great alternative and if you have the oceanic canopy you can probably find a way to rig them up to hang inside it.

MHs are the most bang for the buck and cheaper in the long run but expensive initially. If you want clams I would highly reccomend MHs - most species won't thrive under anything less.

[DeAngelove]

DeAngelove I have a pendant I will let loose of for 250.00 $$ Stephen are you ready to sell at least one of these. It will go well with the three others I have. If you want 400 I will go for one. I would hope to sell the HQI setup I have now. Check the pics I have posted DeAngelove, You will notice the light in the left corner does'nt match the others. It has a electronic ballast Icecap W/ Pendant. The bulb is about 8 Months old. I would use this bulb for a little while at least 3-4 months to get habitants used to the greater light.

Let me know thoughts. This is what I have been looking for. I am talking with Roger At Aquatek about finding me just a pendant to go with the icecap ballast. If he comes through it might be better for me to deal with him. Just depends on the cost of pendant by itself. He has asked me to check with him on Tuesday....

What kind of pendant for $250 is this ready to go with bulb and all...do you have a pic?

[Tim Marvin]

One 250watt DE halide dead center with a reefoptix reflector should do the trick.

[RobertG]

Yes it is ready to go. http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=5004 Scroll down & its the one on the left. The bulb is about 8 months old. You would want to use this bulb for a little while to acclimate your corals & fish to the new light.

[reefer74]

I agree with Tim on this one...those reefoptix pendants, are probably gonna give you the best bang for the buck....Giesmann may look nice with those painted fixtures, but i could paint any pendant, any color for an additional, let's say 40 bucks at the most. I honestly have looked at both pendants, and I honestly would go with the reefoptix.

Johnny G.

[DeAngelove]

What are the dimensions?

Hi Manny -
The dimensions of the new tank are 36"L x 15"Wx 20"H.

Thanks! :)

Denise

[DeAngelove]

DeAngelove - I had a 46 some time ago , they are a pain to light because of the center brace (whatever some people tell you do not cut it out - you'll have your tank on the floor eventually). In that particular tank T5s or VHOs would work ok but the problem I found with VHOs is with the endcap they are hard to fit into a canopy. t5s are a great alternative and if you have the oceanic canopy you can probably find a way to rig them up to hang inside it.

MHs are the most bang for the buck and cheaper in the long run but expensive initially. If you want clams I would highly reccomend MHs - most species won't thrive under anything less.

Hi Mike -
Yeah, that's what I was thinking about doing, but thankfully someone at one of the LFS advised me against it! The tank came as a combo with the stand and the hood, the hood (is by All-Glass Aquarium) though is probably not going to work, at least that is what I suspect. So I will be most likely looking at getting another hood or glass plate for the cover, depending on the lighting I end up choosing. Any thoughts on PC's for soft coral and polyps? Please advise... and thanks again for your help!

~Denise :)

[manny]

You can get a canopy built and then add whatever you like into that. Using retrofit kits from somewhere like www.hellolights.com is probly gonna be one of the most least expensive and versatile things you can do. You could start off with a pc, vho, or t5 retrofit kit, then later on move on to somethin like MHs and have the other bulbs supplement. Just depends which look you like better, the pendent or canopy i guess.

[DeAngelove]

I think a single pendent suspended from the ceiling and open top tank would look nice. You'd save money on the canapy that way so can justify the extra expense of the nice looking MH pendent.

Hi Joshua -
That was what the LFS person this past weekend said, because it would be more than enough light for my size tank. The only problem is that black brace in the middle of the tank (as it is a bowfront) would cover some of the light, and I don't think it would look right to place it off center (I like everything to have somewhat of a balanced look). I am leaning toward purchasing two MH pendants myself, probably some slightly used ones (150/175W or 250W) to do the job. At least two of the LFS that I patronize take in used equipment and sale them for their customers, I think I am going to give them a call and let them know what kind of items I need. Also... is it ok to have an uncovered aquarium? I've heard certain kinds of creatures can jump (or climb for that matter) out of the tank. PLMK... and thanks again for your help!!! :)

~Denise