Need Help with lights?

[jlh81]

I just bought a 75g from Sharkboy and need some opinions on the lighting.
I was thinking of two different routes one is

400 watt 20k MH and the other is a 250w 14k with some t5 atinics

any advise on what others have done or what might be best is greatly
appreciated

Thanks

Joe

[JimD]

What are the dimentions? LxWxH

[g-ray]

I just bought a 75g from Sharkboy and need some opinions on the lighting.
I was thinking of two different routes one is

400 watt 20k MH and the other is a 250w 14k with some t5 atinics

any advise on what others have done or what might be best is greatly
appreciated

Thanks

Joe
My .02 cents I really like the idea of having a nice 250 watt with a good 14k with t5 ati blue plus actinics.

[aquasport24]

And what do you plan to have in your tank? corals wise.

[jlh81]

The tank is 36LX18DX24H and i plan on trying a little of everything, Clams sps, lps and about 7-8 fish

[jlh81]

It has a canopy about 8inchs to the top from rim of the tank

[aquasport24]

Do a mini tank tour around here and see all the lights in action. That's should help with your decision of which lights to chose.I have 400w and you're welcome to look at them anytime.I like the 400s b/c i want to see what going under the sand...haha

[jlh81]

this is what i have in my RSM now but i would like some SPS

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u190/jlh81/IMG_1940.jpg

[jlh81]

Do a mini tank tour around here and see all the lights in action. That's should help with your decision of which lights to chose.I have 400w and you're welcome to look at them anytime.I like the 400s b/c i want to see what going under the sand...haha


What k is yours?

[jlh81]

Do a mini tank tour around here and see all the lights in action. That's should help with your decision of which lights to chose.I have 400w and you're welcome to look at them anytime.I like the 400s b/c i want to see what going under the sand...haha


Do you have a pic that i can take a look at?

[aquasport24]

20k, you have to see these things in person, it hard to judge it from pics.

[JimD]

Since you would like to keep a variety of of stuff, I would suggest a single 250w 10k single ended bulb using an electronic ballast and the actinics of your choice, 420nm, vho or T-5, Im not a fan of PC's.

[mario]

If $ is there I would go with 400w with some actincs.good luck.I too am dealing with the same problem but $ is a problem if i rush it. my tank is 150g 72x18x29 I only want to keep soft corals , just keep it simple.could I get away with ho t5 lights if so how many could I go with. I was planning on going with 39in on each side a total of 6 to 8 bulbs 3 or 4 10,000k on each side and 3 or 4 420 and 460 actinics on each side. do you think that would work for me.

[Mr Cob]

this is what i have in my RSM now but i would like some SPS

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u190/jlh81/IMG_1940.jpg

If you want SPS in that thing, you'll definitely have to ditch the Xenia, it will own up on the SPS.

[CoryDude]

IMO, 250W would be perfect for that tank. Ballasts and bulbs are a little less $$$, the light is sufficient for most anything, and they put off a little less heat than 400W. 14K bulbs with actinics will give your tank a nice crisp blue color.

[jlh81]

Looks like everyone is like me half on 400hm and the other half on 250hm with some actinics

[wkada]

Several comments, and please correct me if I am wrong. First, if your tank is 36x18x24, then it is a 65g, exact same as mine. if it has a center brace, then I do not think you would be happy with a single halide in the middle (with or w/o T5s) since it would cast a big shadow, so you would have to go with two halides, one on each side of the center brace. I think 250w would be fine and you could grow anything. If you could retrofit a T5 bulb front and back for actinics, it would look great. That was my original plan until I decided to go all T5 on my tank. If you go with the halides, you wil likely have heat issues as well.

[jlh81]

Yeah i think its a 65g too but any way there is no center bar. It is all open, but i think a 400w 20k would look really nice. And it would be a little cheaper then the 250 with some actinics

[mario]

Several comments, and please correct me if I am wrong. First, if your tank is 36x18x24, then it is a 65g, exact same as mine. if it has a center brace, then I do not think you would be happy with a single halide in the middle (with or w/o T5s) since it would cast a big shadow, so you would have to go with two halides, one on each side of the center brace. I think 250w would be fine and you could grow anything. If you could retrofit a T5 bulb front and back for actinics, it would look great. That was my original plan until I decided to go all T5 on my tank. If you go with the halides, you wil likely have heat issues as well.THE TANK IS 72X18X29 THAT WOULD MAKE IT A 150GAL I THINK

[Troutmasters02]

Several comments, and please correct me if I am wrong. First, if your tank is 36x18x24, then it is a 65g, exact same as mine. if it has a center brace, then I do not think you would be happy with a single halide in the middle (with or w/o T5s) since it would cast a big shadow, so you would have to go with two halides, one on each side of the center brace. I think 250w would be fine and you could grow anything. If you could retrofit a T5 bulb front and back for actinics, it would look great. That was my original plan until I decided to go all T5 on my tank. If you go with the halides, you wil likely have heat issues as well.


He is right. I too have a 65 gallon with two 150w Metal halides with X 14k DE bulbs and two 39w actinic t5s. Lighting is a nice color and everything is growing well.