210 Oceanic

[vindell]

Have a question I'm hoping someone can answer. Have a 210 (84x24x24)Will the glass brace in the middle of this tank hiner it's lighting for a reef tank. Not new to the hobby, Had a 150 reef blow up in the kitchen, Made some bad decision and sold rock and corals. Stole this reef ready oceanic and just want to make sure before I take the plunge $$$ !!!!!! The tank is 84 long and the center brace has to be 18". Thanks in advance for any comments

 

[tommy818]

i have oceanic 180 with glass in the middle have all sps no problem at all. once a week i wipe it down damp rag with water to keep it clear.

 

[masterswimmer]

If you can strategically place MH pendants over the clear, unobstructed openings you'd be much better off. An 18" wide bracing is large and will hinder the light if the pendant is placed directly over it.

swimmer

 

[nycmat]

no but having had the same tank i would suggest 2 nice lumanarcs

 

[tommy818]

i have 250 hqi dead center over glass all sps under light has brillent color.

 

[Sean]

heat can crack glass and warp acrylic.

how many watts are the lights?
is it ventilated?

 

[masterswimmer]

i have 250 hqi dead center over glass all sps under light has brillent color.

The glass must restrict light from reaching the depth of a 24" tank more than in a tank with no bracing to reflect some of the usable light. Add to that the salt creep that will accumulate on the underside of the bracing and the light will be impeded even more. It's just physics, no way around it.

swimmer

 

[tommy818]

have my tank for 8 years sps are just as colorful under the glass as the ones that arent.house of fins has a 700 gal tank with glass brace using 400 wt mogul base u ever see that tank. that tank is about 4 feet deep.

 

[masterswimmer]

Ok

 

[tommy818]

happy reefkeeping

 

[Sean]

Glass refracts the light.
Glass can crack from the heat.

 

[tommy818]

oceanic makes some of the best tanks most pendants have glass covers they dont crack

 

[Sean]

so are you telling me that glass can't crack from heat?

 

[masterswimmer]

so are you telling me that glass can't crack from heat?

:shhh:

 

[tommy818]

most pendents or hoods have cooling fans so althought it will get hot it wont hot enough to crack the glass. besides the glass is about 1 in thick.

 

[meschaefer]

If the question is, can you keep SPS in a tank with a MH over the glass bracing? You are absolutely right... Yes and you can do so successfully.

If the question is, is it a "bright" idea... then the answer is no. especially when you can account for the bracing when you place your lights.

It will cut down on the amount of light reaching the inhabitants.. I wont bother to argue this issue, as it is simple physics, no way around it. Does that mean that you won't be able to grow sps successfully, no it doesn't. It just a waste of power and effort.

It could cause the glass to eventually crack, not all glass is the same and the glass used in pendants is chosen for its clarity and heat resistant properties. The same can not be said for glass used in bracing, and oceanic is not using their top end glass for bracing.

 

[tommy818]

what size tank do u have most large tanks have glass brace in the middle dont know how to post pictures on site on not into that but i will get someone to do it for me and when u see my tank the colors under the glass brace are brillant.180 all sps

 

[PalmTree]

I have a 250watt HQI over a glass center brace as well with no problems. Its been there for about 3 or 4 years now with no ill effects. Corals are fine. Only thing that can be a pain is having to clean the glass every so often to remove the dust and salt buildup.

 

[tommy818]

thank u

 

[meschaefer]

what size tank do u have most large tanks have glass brace in the middle dont know how to post pictures on site on not into that but i will get someone to do it for me and when u see my tank the colors under the glass brace are brillant.180 all sps

220

Didn't say you couldn't have a great tank with a MH over your center brace, I just said its not efficient.

I also didn't say that your brace would crack, and it may never. I said it could crack, and that could happen tomorrow.