I Need Lighting Suggestions for 92g Corner Tank

[LCGoldman]

I have a 92g corner reef tank, that's currently lit by 2x96w 36" PC's... I'm looking to upgrade.

I can't hang any lighting because I'm not very handy like that, but I'm open to any other suggestions.

If anyone else has the same tank as I, I would be curious to learn what they're using too.

Thanks,
Lonnie

 

[DK]

I have a 175MH w/a 10k bulb pendent hanging over my tank. I suspended it from the ceiling since it came with a long cord.......using the cord only so no canopy or other lighting. Looks good to me!

 

[monkeyboy]

It's a tough tank to light because of its oddly shaped surface area and depth!

I've found that two, or even one halide lamp was acceptable to the people I know who have done it, but personally, I'd use 3. Keep in mind that from corner to corner this thing is 4' long, and from the front to the very back corner it's much wider than most tanks are. I would put 2 lamps up in the front half, and one in the back. If you choose 1 or two, simply make sure that your reflector has a good spread (avoid bell pendants with 1 lamp).

If you can master the concept of 'righty-tighty lefty-loosey' then i'm sure that you can screw a nice looking plant-hanging bracket in the wall to hang the light off of. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

It's a VERY easy tank to light! A single 150 or 250w pendant does the trick. I had one for 3 years before I moved everything into an in-wall 150. I had a single Geisemann 250W pendant. It covered the entire 4' width, although things that needed very high light were not kept on the very sides.
Two pendants like Monkeyboy said would be great too, one on back and one in front.

Jim

 

[monkeyboy]

It's a VERY easy tank to light!

I suppose that would depend on your lighting philosophy. I like a well, evenly lit tank without areas that I'm forced to put only lower light critters (that's what we have depth for!).

BTW, i suggested 3 halides for this tank, muhahaha

 

[tenshi]

Lonnie,

I think monkeyboy and JimM are correct in saying that you need to hang the lights of the ceiling or some sort of plant bracket or shelf, otherwise your going to need a taller custom hood. Most premade hoods I believe are to short to put MH in, if that's the route you want to take. And it's really that easy to hang something from the ceiling. Just go down to the hardware store and tell them about how much your fixture will weight and they'll show you the right bracket to do it with.

Tenshi

 

[LCGoldman]

Thanks for the suggestions... I'm basically useless though as far as doing any kind of handy work... and I don't really have a ceiling to hang them from... above the tank is the main duct for the A/C and furnace... it's sheet rocked to cover it... do you think I (ok, someone I can hire) will be able to hang the lights from it?

Also, should I still use the glass canopy on the tank, or go "bare"?

Thanks,
Lonnie

 

[tenshi]

I'm sure you can get some handyman to do it for you or you can buy my ticket for me to fly out to NY and I'll do it for you. Never been there! J/K Lose the glass canopy unless your keeping fish that like to jump out of the tank. By getting rid of the glass canopy, you'll have more evaporation which in turn will help keep your tank cooler.

Tenshi