120g Lighting - what do you use?

[yetti]

Hi all.

I am about to setup a 120g mixed reef and would like to keep everything. What lighting would you recommend?

Does anyone have the same size setup? If so, I'd be curious to know what you are using and what you are keeping with it.

 

[Ron Popeil]

im using a dual 400w metal halide system, with two 20k radium bulbs.

i have sps, anemones, rhodactis mushrooms, zoanthids, etc.

 

[elephen]

On my 120 (4x2x2) I'm using a SLS Blue Wave 7 dual 250w HQI ballast running 2 20k Radiums on SLS Reef Optix I pendants. Get really good coverage, they are about 6" above the water.

 

[Sindjin]

I have a dual 250w MH with dual 110w VHO actinic supplements.

 

[yetti]

Yeah, I'm kinda screwed there. I have cathedral ceilings, so I can't suspend them. I guess I'm gonna have to do the canopy thing.

 

[nccmike]

I'm using the outer orbit hood. It has 2 10,000k PowerPaq halides 150 watts and 2 130 watts Actinic bulbs.

very happy with it. Sits about6 inches above tank.

 

[integlikewhoa]

on my 120 i had to build a canopy to hold my 2 PFO mini pendants. I run 2 250w 14k's and 2 55w Pc's. I hung the PFO's my chain so i can adjust the hight inside the canopy.

 

[Sindjin]

Just to add:

I built my own canopy to house my lighting....complete with fans and ventilation.

 

[yetti]

Thanks for the help...

Anyone having problems with heat? Do you run chillers?

 

[integlikewhoa]

I run a fan at the sump with the doors open on the stand when i need to. BUt i have to run a chiller in the summer. I have a 1/4hp artica chiller. I try and turn it off in the winter and turn it on when the fan dont work good enough. The chiller costs around 75-100 each month to run.

Sindjin how do you have you fans in the canopy. and how are they wired up? I bought 2 fans and a ac/dc adaptor this weekend. I need a big wholesaw next. What size did u go with? i went with 120mm that produce 110CFM at 39dba. i got 2 of them each has a speed regulator if i need it. I didnt want to see them on the sides of my canopy nor did i want the light to come shining out them. I really want to mount them above each MH and blowing the hot air out of the top. Which will suck cold air from the back of the open canopy. what do you think?