Retro Lighting

[Shawn]

I picked up a retro light fixture with 10K and metal halide. How high above the aquarium should I hang it?

[Gseclipse02]

i think they say like 6-12 inchs go higher if your having temp issues

[JimD]

What size tank? What wattage halide?

[Shawn]

The tank is a 72gal bowfront. I don't know what size the bulbs are. They are big and have a large light bulb type screw thread. I got this used.

[JimD]

Can you post a pic of the ballast and the bulb? Without knowing the wattage, its kind of hard to advise. Also, how deep is the tank and what do you intend to keep coral wise?...

[Shawn]

OK. The Ballast is a Energy Saver Unlimited. Model AF175WD. 175W 120V 3.7A

Update: One bulb is a brilliant white the other has a green tinge to it.



This aquarium is one I bought for my wife so that she will leave my aquariums alone.

To quote her: I want pretty corals, hard and soft. Anything that is interesting. Whatever I can find to stick in the tank: corals, fish, anemones, snails, etc.

She has her own aquarium allowance.

[robalv]

NOW THIS IS CLASSIC you gotta love it.


This aquarium is one I bought for my wife so that she will leave my aquariums alone.

To quote her: I want pretty corals, hard and soft. Anything that is interesting. Whatever I can find to stick in the tank: corals, fish, anemones, snails, etc.

She has her own aquarium allowance.

[Shawn]

Forgot the tank size. The tank is a 72gal Oceanic bowfront. It is 24 inches deep, 20 inches from the top of the sand to the top of the tank.

[Shawn]

My wife, Mirra, did not want anything to do with salt aquariums. Since I got my first one set up (50 gallon) she has been enchanted. She now says they are more interesting than fresh. All you can do with fresh is put in fish and look at them. With salt you have fish, corals, anemones, starfish, etc. What fun.

Last year she got me a 125 gal for father's day. Within a week it was no longer mine. I have had little to no say in it since. Maybe NOW I can set it up for me. The bowfront is right by her chair. LOL

[Shawn]

I got the light set up 12.5 inches above the aquarium.

Mirra had me take her to Texas Tropical today. OMG!!! She pestered for everything in there. I kept telling her that we were just getting the tank set up and needed to have time for everything to level out. Told me that was my problem. She wants corals, anemones, etc. She decided on some stars and other things that are not reef safe but are "neat and interesting". I told her that she could not have those in the reef. It would eat her corals. She should know that from all the nature shows she watches. She told me that was my problem to train them not to eat the stuff she wants. Finally talked her into setting up a community tank later so that she can have those things. She started picking out a tank, lighting, etc. I told her that we had blown the budget big time. It will be several months before we can think about it. She responded like her great grandmother responded to her husband when he said there was no more money, "Well, go out and sell some more sheep or something." She finally settled on some coral frags.

Trying to solve a problem I have created a monster.