Lighting Questions

[dkhinpa]

I will begin setting up my 55 gal reef tank very soon. Tank dimensions are 48”L X 12”W X 20”H. I will have a 4-5” DSB. The lighting system is a CustomSeaLife MH/PC combo w/ 2 – 175W MH/10K and 2 - 65W PC’s/7.1K. Looking at predominately LPS’s and clams.

Questions that I have:
1. 99.99% sure this is enough lite to house LPS’s and claims in this tank – looking for verification.
2. I am planning on hanging the lite fixture so the MH’s are about 6-7” off the top of tank. Is this this correct height?
3. The lite fixture came w/ a plexiglass cover that slides into the bottom of the fixture. The lites only sit about 2” or so from the plexiglass cover. Will the heat from the lites melt this and/or restrict the lite to the tank? Should I keep this in or remove it?
4. If I remove the plexiglass cover from the fixture, which would a be a better solution – a glass top or egg crate on top of the tank to keep the jumpers in?

Thoughts and comments sincerely appreciated!!

David

 

[wickerj]

Do you already have the equipment or are you researching it?
Let me know and I'll make suggestions based on that.

jeff

 

[dkhinpa]

Jeff,
Already have it.

THANKS!!!

David

 

[wickerj]

The fixture will be fine with the cover on it. Hanging it is a good option, (one I didn't have), you shouldn't have to worry about heat that way.
I'd keep it about 8-10 inches off the surface of the water. I wouldn't put glass tops on your tank, I think it cuts down on gas exchange.

Do some research on your corals and clams before you purchase so you'll know where to place them in your tank with only 175's you're going to need to place your clams directly under the MH bulbs.

Jeff

 

[dkhinpa]

Thanks for your help Jeff!!

My original thought was to pull out the plexi-glass from the light fixture and use the egg crates on top of the tank. I was concerned about salt spray on the lights.

Again, I appreciate your input!!

David

 

[Will C1]

just wipe youre lights off 1 or twice a week that will eliminate youre salt creep problem. dont cover the tank completly you need the gas exchange. be very carefull on youre fish selection lots of fish love to eat clams.

 

[dkhinpa]

Thanks for the tip on the fish Will - Currently I have an Achilles Tang and a Firefish that will be moved into the 55 - Do you see any issue w/ these two and the clams?

David

 

[Will C1]

that tang will get to big for that tank but for now it might be ok. the firefish should be just fine. if you want some tips on what to feed youre clams once you get them e-mail me and i will be happy to assist you.

 

[dkhinpa]

The 55 gal is only short term - 12-18 months. Then I will get a 120 gal. I was all set to get a 120, mentioned it to my landlord one day and he freaked - we live in a second floor flat of a fairly old building. He was very concerned about the weight. So I came down to a 55.

My plan for feeding the clams was DT's and supplemented KORALvit F for the b vitamins and yeast. I am planning on getting smaller maxima's and was going to put them into a dish for their feedings until they got to be around 4". Also exploring Golden Pearls.

David

 

[Will C1]

dt's works very well. also i found a product called roti-rich, it will cloud youre tank but your filter feeders will love it.

 

[dkhinpa]

Thanks for the tip on the roti-rich Will. I had not heard of that ... yet...

David

 

[Will C1]

hard to find i get it from a german exporter, but it really works.

 

[dkhinpa]

Do you get the dry or the liquid? I did a google search and found a couple of places that sell it -

http://www.florida-aqua-farms.com/prices.pdf
http://www.acmereef.com/aquarium_suppli ... ms_c_.html

 

[Will C1]

the liquid in the little bottle, i use more than they suggest about twice a month. i put in enough to cloud the water. they say 1 drop per gal i used 2 drops per gal and had better success.