I've done a little bit of research on the subject, and I have decided I would like to create a lagoonal patch reef much like you would see in the modern indo-pacific. I really like the clams and such, and I have devoted a good portion of my life to researching ancient patch reefs. My 72 gallon is currently cycling after adding 50 lbs of fiji live rock and 20 lbs of tonga live rock. I plan on adding some more later on this weekend if time permits. I also have around 60lbs of live sand. I've started to think about lighting and from what I have read metal halide lighting would be best? I was thinking two 200 watt 10,000k bulbs?
Indo-Pacific Patch reef
- Thread starter Dolomiteclay
- Start date
There aren't really any 200 watt halides in the hobby. Your choices are basically 150 or 250 watters in the doulble-ended (DE) style or 175 or 250 watters in the single-ended (Mogul) style.
If you're interested in more light demanding animals (like the Tridacna clams you mentioned) I would probably go with the 250s (either DE or Mogul are fine).
Another good option (and more energy efficient) is the new Iwasaki 14K 175 watters running on electronic ballasts. They're output is comparable to many of the 250 lamps while using less power and generating less heat (ie. more efficient). One potential downside to going that route, however, is that if you wanted to try different lamps in the future, your options would be more limited than with 250s.
HTH
If you're interested in more light demanding animals (like the Tridacna clams you mentioned) I would probably go with the 250s (either DE or Mogul are fine).
Another good option (and more energy efficient) is the new Iwasaki 14K 175 watters running on electronic ballasts. They're output is comparable to many of the 250 lamps while using less power and generating less heat (ie. more efficient). One potential downside to going that route, however, is that if you wanted to try different lamps in the future, your options would be more limited than with 250s.
HTH
Yes, the actinics will provide some useful light as well.
Quality 10K lamps, even in 150 watt DE can put out a lot of light if driven by the correct ballast, but how much of that light actually gets to your corals/clams is mostly determined by the reflector. I'm not familiar with the lamps, reflectors or ballasts used in this product, so I couldn't really comment on its performance.
Maybe someone who's got some experience with these units will chime in...
Quality 10K lamps, even in 150 watt DE can put out a lot of light if driven by the correct ballast, but how much of that light actually gets to your corals/clams is mostly determined by the reflector. I'm not familiar with the lamps, reflectors or ballasts used in this product, so I couldn't really comment on its performance.
Maybe someone who's got some experience with these units will chime in...
Here's another option - similar price and fixture style - this one has 250s. No moonlights and it uses external ballasts, but light output would be much higher with this fixture.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... Q1831.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~ ... Q1831.html
I like that one. I have two quesitons about it though. Would I have to have a fan since the balast is external? If so, are fans that tough to install....I'm not the handiest of guys. Also, could I mounth that without hanging it. To make matters worse I don't have a canopy.
I believe there are leg kits available for those fixtures, but it would be best to double check with the vendor. Having the ballast external should actually help the fixture to run cooler (since magnetic ballasts generate a lot of heat), but whenever you're using a powerful lighting system like this it's usually necessary to have some form of cooling for the tank.
This can be as elaborate as a chiller on a temperature controller, or as simple as a desktop fan controlled by an appliance timer. How much cooling you need will depend on a bunch of factors, but if you're running open-top in a climate controlled room (ie. A/C in the summer) fans should suffice IME.
This can be as elaborate as a chiller on a temperature controller, or as simple as a desktop fan controlled by an appliance timer. How much cooling you need will depend on a bunch of factors, but if you're running open-top in a climate controlled room (ie. A/C in the summer) fans should suffice IME.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... mot_widget
I found this one on ebay and a few on the board have them. I did see one person say that they had some time actually getting the fixture, but other than that most have had no trouble at all. I think I might want to give it a try.
I found this one on ebay and a few on the board have them. I did see one person say that they had some time actually getting the fixture, but other than that most have had no trouble at all. I think I might want to give it a try.
Looks pretty slick, but again as with the Current fixture, I'm not familiar with the unit and couldn't say how well it will perform. Personally, I tend to stick to lighting setups that use the tried-n-true ballasts/lamps/reflectors.
In all honesty, I don't know of a quality fixture with all those features that is anywhere near that cheap, so that sorta scares me...
Best of luck with it if you decide to try it.
In all honesty, I don't know of a quality fixture with all those features that is anywhere near that cheap, so that sorta scares me...
Best of luck with it if you decide to try it.
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