I have recently been wondering if this light that I paid an arm a leg and a kidney for is enough power for my tank. I have a 75 gallon tank loaded maybe 65% high with live rock. In there are a number of sps corals, lps corals, Zoa's, a clam and fish. I am planning on loading it up pretty good with corals. Do you think that this light is enough for what I am doing or do I need more power??? I really would like to hang 2X400watt 20K light hoods down the road sometime. My question really is, do I need to go there and spend that money or is what I have really good and I should keep it?
Is my reef light enough?
- Thread starter Sea Turtle
- Start date
IDIOT!!!!!!!!!! What the f*** am I doing!!!
Here it is:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... DMLM6.html
Here it is:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... DMLM6.html
For the same price you can get a 2 x 250 watt MH/T5 Outer Orbit Fixture at Premium Aquatics.
I'd rather have the T5 then the PCs plus the bigger MH.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... =Current-H
I'd rather have the T5 then the PCs plus the bigger MH.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... =Current-H
Thanks. I'm not sure if I completely sold on these lights though. I really don't feel that as if they provide the power that the single 400w MH lamps do. Also, it really is a pain the rear to get into the tank with this sitting on top. I only allows you about 5 inches of clearence between the top of the tank and the light fixture. It aslo seem easy to knock off into the water if you were to really bump it good.
This one is better than the outer orbit and is made by a good reliable company. This is the fixture I plan on using on my next tank.
Also, these 250watt HQI bulbs give off about as much PAR as 400watt buls would. 400 watters are just a waste of power on a tank with your depth. Really deep tanks would benefit from the extra punch. Not necessary for a regular 75 gallon tank.
Also, these 250watt HQI bulbs give off about as much PAR as 400watt buls would. 400 watters are just a waste of power on a tank with your depth. Really deep tanks would benefit from the extra punch. Not necessary for a regular 75 gallon tank.
I agree that coralife products duck, and use T5's over PC's but I dont really think you need to go spend the money since you already have the other fixture. Looks like you are planning a mixed reef so just be sure to put the SPS near the top and the zoas etc near the bottom and you will be fine.
I got away from MH and am happy I did, I am using T5's on my tanks now and get good growth, lower electric draw, and lower heat into my tank. I won't go back to MH on a tank unless T5's wouldnt fit for some reason.
I got away from MH and am happy I did, I am using T5's on my tanks now and get good growth, lower electric draw, and lower heat into my tank. I won't go back to MH on a tank unless T5's wouldnt fit for some reason.
They have shown that T5 ia near equivalent to metal halide. Extra deep tanks would require MH lighting.
T5 would be great over your tank.
Now take this for what it is worth. The link I provided is to a new set of lights that has no reviews yet. I am not familiar with the company or the T5 bulbs they use. I do know that UVL has high quality bulbs. You could always use the Finnex bulbs on a trial basis and replce them with UVLs later if you choose to. I like the idea of the LEDs for glitter lines and that is what appeals to me.
T5 would be great over your tank.
Now take this for what it is worth. The link I provided is to a new set of lights that has no reviews yet. I am not familiar with the company or the T5 bulbs they use. I do know that UVL has high quality bulbs. You could always use the Finnex bulbs on a trial basis and replce them with UVLs later if you choose to. I like the idea of the LEDs for glitter lines and that is what appeals to me.
Well the fixture I am using now is a Tek 8 bulb 36" fixture and has no issues. The color temp you want your tank to look is very variable with T5's as there are so many bulb options you can mix. I ordered a 12 bulb Sfiligoi for my new tank, but there are alot of high end T5 units out there.
Like I said though, I dont see much of a problem with going with what you have already bought. My son has a 29 nano JBJ HQI tank and is growing acros in it, I have seen many SPS tank lit mostly with 150 watt halides. Placement is important of course.
There was a time when PC's were the rage in new flourcent lighting over tanks, and now its T5's turn.
Like I said though, I dont see much of a problem with going with what you have already bought. My son has a 29 nano JBJ HQI tank and is growing acros in it, I have seen many SPS tank lit mostly with 150 watt halides. Placement is important of course.
There was a time when PC's were the rage in new flourcent lighting over tanks, and now its T5's turn.
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