Lighting question?!

[cdeakle]

I currently have a 55 gallon reef tank with a 12 gallon sump. I have a 250 watt 12,000k Sunburst MH setup. The bulb/reflector is mounted directly in the middle of my canopy.

I notice darker areas in my tank and I think I could be better off adding more light in that bad boy. I was thinking of adding another MH retro kit but can't figure out what to add? Should I add:

A) Another 250 watt 12,000k sunburst setup?

-OR-

B) Go smaller and add a 175 watt 12,000k sunburst setup?

-OR-

C) Open to suggestions

I'm afraid that x2 250 watt setups might be too much for my tank ie, heat and water evaporation. Is there a general rule of thumb for how much light per so many gallons or tank dimension?

Thanks guys...............

 

[Tangboy5000]

Just supplement with PC's. You could fit 4 55W PCs under that hood. :wink:

 

[reefsnreptiles1]

The general rule of thumb with halides is one halide for every 2ft of tank. If that is a standard 55 (4ft tank) then you will be better off with 2 halides. IMO another 250 watt would be the way to go (but you would also be fine with 2x175 depending on what corals/clams you have).

 

[cdeakle]

I think I might get another 250 watt. My corals will probably love me 8)

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[smlacy]

It seems to me that 250w is plenty for a 55g. Are you just concerned about removing the dim spots in the lighting?

Before I mounted my MH lighting, I compared what the light would be like if I mounted the bulb & reflector parallel with the front of the tank vs. perpendicular with the front. I found that much more light entered the tank if the bulb was mounted *perpendicular* with the front.

Also, I found that I had to bend the MH reflector to get it "just right" and a nice and even lighting on the bottom.

Steve

 

[cdeakle]

smlacy,

Yeah, there are alot of dead areas. Do you think more than 250watts of light could be bad?

I mounted the bulb so that it is horizontal with the tank. Are you saying I would get more light if I changed the facing so that the bulb is front to back instead of left to right?

-puff

 

[Ralphyhp]

I vote for two 250w 10000k ushios suplemented with two Uri VHO 48" actinics.