what type of lights on a 380?

[moneytank]

I am setting up a 380 gallon tank for thee wife and kids. That way they can put whatever they want in it. No more telling them no, that will eat my corals or something else. Since there is not much telling what might end up in this tank im not sure what type of lights to put over it. I know its going to have live rock and fish, but it also will most likely have some corals in it, just no sps for sure. My concern is the tank is acrylic and has four openings. The actuall tank is 120"Long x 24"wide x 31" tall, plus external overflows on the ends making it almost 12feet long. Its in its own fish room so you only see the front and that opening is only 8feet wide, want room for the fish to hide out of site. Tank also has a fake concrete type wall on the back. I was planning on running four 250w metal halides, one over each opening, plus I already have them...but...

I was wondering if anyone else has any suggestions.

The tank is up and running now, a month with just rock, then another month now with a few fish. Still working on getting it completly enclosed but it got put on hold due to a broken hand. I know everyone likes to see pictures so I will try in a little while.

[RayAllen]

With this basically being a FOWLR you can go VHO and it will provide plenty of light and still be bright enough and pleasent to view. Even in a 380 you cant just put anything you want in it and expect no problems so id try to have some since of order when buying and introducing them. You can have a great tank for you wife and kids without letting them pick just anything that looks pretty or cool. Good luck convincing them though, lol.

[moneytank]

Thanks. Yea, I meant anything within reason.......
Will the VHOs cause any problem with the acrylic top? Never had an acrylic tank before.

[aquasport24]

They should not cause any problem as long as the lights not touching it. Mounting cooling fans on canopy should help with the heating too.

[RayAllen]

VHO are the simply VeryHigh Output Florescents so they wont generate too much heat.

[Fish4life]

IMO VHO are a thing of the past. Go t5's. Cheaper to run, cheaper to buy, more par, cooler..... what more could you ask for? If you want that VHO look go with the UVL Atintic.

Cheers,

kurt

[moneytank]

hopefully this works.....

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk10/jarett3_photos/christmas070.jpg
the backside from fishroom
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk10/jarett3_photos/christmas075.jpg

the 180 a little farther along
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk10/jarett3_photos/christmas074.jpg
the 180 backside from fishroom
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk10/jarett3_photos/christmas076.jpg

yes the fishroom is a mess, was all done in a hurry

[RayAllen]

Wow Im impressed even with it being done in a hurry. Great job!

[RayAllen]

IMO VHO are a thing of the past. Go t5's. Cheaper to run, cheaper to buy, more par, cooler..... what more could you ask for? If you want that VHO look go with the UVL Atintic.

Cheers,

kurt

I dont agree with saying VHO are a thing of the past. To me that would be like not using MH because of the new LED fixtures. One of the best tanks on the board is ran with MH and VHO and looks absolutely amazing. I do agree that T5s are awesome but be prepared to put a lot more bulbs over the tank.

[moneytank]

thanks again.
I have few older 2,3, and 4 foot VHOs, and a couple of ice caps. I might try the four footers on one side just to see how it looks. Right now it just has 2-250 MHs over the center two openings. Once the pull the pins from my hand I might try moving the MHs around also.

[aquasport24]

Like Ray said...WOW, keep up the good work and keep us update too. Very nice rock works. And where are you located?

[moneytank]

thanks.

Im in Pipe Creek, it is basically between Boerne and Bandera. NW of San Antonio

[ErikH]

WHOA.

Man that looks great. Unions will save your LIFE!!!! It's very cool that you have an open room to work with as well!

[JeffCo]

I am setting up a 380 gallon tank for thee wife and kids.

I like this quote, nice angle in getting another tank. I wish that would work with my wife.

I think the MH's are fine, but it might have the "spotlight" effect if there not that close to together. You'll have gaps of bright light then dim light.

I still like VHO's as well so you could use that as supplemental light.

Also, like the setup in the tank room and the tanks being built into the wall.

[moneytank]

When we were designing the house to be built, it was the only room I could design. The only thing I didnt do that I kind of regret was a floor drain. Actually had it in the plans but since the room is a "formal dining room" we thought about resale value later. Otherwise im real happy with how it came out. A little specs on the room. It is 12x12, with 2 1/2 interior walls. The 380 wall faces the game/kids play room, and the 180 wall faces the living room, A door from the kitchen, and an exterior wall with two windows to put a small a/c in. 10 foot ceiling, vinyl floor, and 6 dedicated 20 amp circuits. Since I didnt have the tanks yet when we were designing everything, I just had them make an opening all the way to the floor. I enclosed it completly when we got the tanks. The metal stands I made myself and they are 52" tall by the time you add the 3/4" plywood and foam on top. I wanted them tall so when a 6' foot person is standing there they are looking at the center of the tank. Originally I was going to weld a catwalk across the back of the stands but decided to save room and use ladders. Ill do more on the build later.
Yes, unions are everywhere. I tell everyone that comes over if I ever sell the stuff, the tank will be free, but all the plumbing will be 10,000. PLumbing stuff was by far the most exspensive stuff on the build.

[aquasport24]

You have the 380 facing the kids game room. How old are your kids?

[RayAllen]

If thats foams rock you did a pretty good job on that to.

[moneytank]

The kids are 3 and 6, well almost 4 and 7 in july.
The back of the tank is light diffuser, with concrete, oyster shells, and aragonite and pvc. it was made in several smaller pieces to be ale to fit through the top openings. The main roacks are tufa rock with spray foam coated with aragonite. Had another one on the left side but it floated so I took it out and cut a bunch of foam off. Just need to epoxy it again.