the MH question

[dido]

Hi all,

I have a 92 gallon Oceanic bowfront tank. The Cover for the top has about 6 1/2 inches of space between the glass lid and the inside ceiling of the hood. There is 4 feet of length available inside the hood and 1 foot of depth. Is it possible to put a MH fixture in this space? If so what kind should I get for this size of tank. I currently have 4 x 96 watt pcs in there, but would like to upgrade.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Anonymous]

I like DE mini pendants. You could possibly go with two 150 or 250 watt fixtures, but I would go to www.marinedepot.com and check out the dimensions.
I think you would have to get rid of the glass top on the tank!

 

[Anonymous]

You might have a heat problem in your tank.

Better add some fans to blow the hot air out of the hood.

A chiller is another option if heat becomes a probvlem.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

OOOO look a dead horse, I think I will kick it lol. I am sorry to bring this up again, BUT...

46 gallon bow front

which would be better light 250W or 400w MH. According to the stuff I have read a 250 is plenty for 17.5 inch depth of my tank from surface to substrate. However on my 55g I had 2 250 which is double the watts per gallon that this would be with a 250. So in the grander sheme which would be a better choice for the tank?

 

[Anonymous]

What are you planning on keeping?

Without that info, I like 2 250's for better coverage. I have 250's on a 24 inch high tank and the penetrate pretty well.

 

[Anonymous]

I am currently keeping M. digita, frogspawn, galaxia, hammer, shrooms, zoas, candy, xenia, GSP, encrusting gorgorian. I would like to get more SPS at some point and possibly a clam. The M digita is doing pretty good under the PCs but I would have to think it will do even better under MH. My tank is only 36 long, so not sure if the 2 250s would be to much. I am right under 18 inches of depth from surface to substrate. The problem with a single bulb also is that my tank has a plastic support piece that runs through the center on top like most of the generic tanks that are glass for the lids to rest on. I am debating taking that out, but not sure if it also serves as a support piece for the tank. Thanks for the info.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't take it off. Necessary.

I would do two MHs with that size tank...one 20000K and one 6500K, both 250W, and both DE or HQI. It will give you a really nicely colored tank. Stick them as close together as possible, straddling the brace.

 

[SnowManSnow]

OOOORRR.. if you're feeling froggy you can replace the brace with stainless steel cable and put your lights in the middle!

B

 

[Anonymous]

With the size of the tank, if I had 2 different lights I don't think they could be close enough to not have a dual colored appearance. There just isn't room to have them close...unfortunately. So what about the xm 15000k? Anyone have it or see it? Would it be a happy medium? So with the support brace there, it seems that 2 250s is about the only way to go. I don't think 175's would be able to get the depth that I need and a 400 would be overkill. Thanks for the help. Guess I really just needed the nudge in the direction I was already leaning lol. Here is another question for you now. Anyone have any experience with hamilton, megachrome, or phoenix bulbs that are offered on marinedepot.com?

 

[Anonymous]

if you go to hellolights.com you can use a 10% discount there using coupon code MACNA0905.

 

[Anonymous]

I just purchased the Aqua Medic ocean light 250W with the 10000k XM bulb. I will keep you posted when I get it and how it looks. The 10% coupon was a good help. If this one works out I will get a second and have one over each half of the tank.

 

[SnowManSnow]

<-- I love my AquaMedic pendant! I think you'll be happy with it.

Only problem was the stock bulbs aren't as "blue" as others. Maybe they've fixed this since I bought mine.

B

 

[Anonymous]

glad to hear you like it, I can't wait to get it up and going.