Upgrading my lighting to MH...need suggestions

[Marcosreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mrgoont:
<strong>With an MH hood can it be placed right on top of a glass tank cover or does it need to be suspended over open water?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Dan,
If you go with German 10,000K bulbs, all you really need is some actinic blue bulbs (One strip on the front and one in the back). Also having 2x250w MH and all 3 PC lights is going to create a fair amount of heat. The glass cover over the tank is probably not a good idea.

I hope others with 90g tanks will chime in here and relay what works for them.

Either way, you should use some fans in the canopy to keep your lights and tank cool.

I'm glad to hear the tank is improving, and wsh you the best on your SPS ventures! Marco

 

[mrgoont]

If I get the MH/PC hood combo it would take the place of 2 PC strip lights. So you're suggesting that I put 1 PC strip in front with Actinics....then the MH/PC hood in back with 250w 10k MH and another set of Actinics?

As far as the glass hood...the reason I'm wondering if I can keep it on is because of how close the lamps will be to the surface of the water. The light hoods currently sit on top of the glass lid with no clearance above the tank. Heat was an issue with just the PC lights, however I now have a chiller so it's no longer a concern. I just was under the impression that MH lights work best over open water.

 

[mrgoont]

I'm interested in getting my 1st SPS or acro but I dont think I have enough lighting. I have 3 strips of 110w PC lighting in my 90gal tank. The layout is as follows:

front strip: 110w Actinic PC
middle: 110w 10k PC
back: 110w 50/50 PC

I'm look to buy a new MH/PC combo hood and throw in 2 250w 10k MH bulbs in there. Now where Im look for some help is in choosing which PC lights to put in with it. I'm thinking of keeping the Actinic PC strip in front and put 2 50/50 PC bulbs with the MH's. Does that sound good?

Also the current oak canopy I have allows me 6 1/2 inches of clearance from the top of the tank. With an MH hood can it be placed right on top of a glass tank cover or does it need to be suspended over open water? I've never had experience with MH lights so some help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mrgoont]

Would it be enough light to just have 2 250w 10k MH and 2 55w Actinic PC?

 

[cyberpanther]

I wouldn't personally go for less than 2 250 watt 10,000k MH and 4 55watt actinic pc. You might be able to make it work with the lower light, but I figure why not do it right the first time, cuz I guarantee you if you don't add them you will. So ya mine as well do it now.

 

[mrgoont]

I agree Cyberpanther,

if I do the whole smash now then it will be usefull not only now but also for future upgrades.

 

[Anonymous]

Actinics make a nice look but are not necessary for good coral growth. Bear in mind also that MH bulbs come on much more slowly than florescent and the shock is not particularly significant.

I haven't purchased any lighting lately, but last I checked vho lights were more actinic purple, while pc actinics were really more of a blue.

Still, its nice to have some kind of florescent in conjunction with the MH because it lets you fine tune the color look you like or think is most successful.

I would just shoot off an email to whever makes the hood you are interested in and ask them about setting it on the canopy.

 

[mrgoont]

I still need to know if the MH hoods can be placed right on top of the tank or do they need to be suspended above open water.

Also, do Actinic bulbs serve a purpose other than making the tank more pleasing to the eye? I do run my Actinics for an hour before my main lights come on just to take the shock factor out of sudden light but was curious if its light thats actually beneficial.