180 Gallon Lighting Question, need some advice pretty please!

[J4Life]

Ok I have been going over in my head of what size tank I want to upgrade to from my 75 gallon tank and I think I have decided on a 180 gallon measuring 72x24x25 however if will really depend on whether I can light it using just 2 - 250 watt 10K XM's with spider reflectors, on electonic ballast. I will be using single end bulbs. I also intended to supplement with 4 - T5 bulbs over driven on a IceCap 660 ballast using IceCap SLR's.

Are any of you 180 gallon tank owners only using 2, Metal Halide lights? I really do not want 3 bulbs if at all possible.

Looking for answers and suggestions here.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[seta45]

It would be OK for LPS and softies; center the two lights and leave the outer tank boundaries with less light

 

[KurtsReef]

Why would you not want a third bulb? You will have two braces on the tank so for even lighting I would think you need three bulbs. I do not think picking up a third bulb would break the bank on the project considering the other items you would need too upgrade.

 

[J4Life]

Thanks for the inputs. I am not sure why you're saying I could only grow LPS and softies seta45. People grow SPS just fine with far less light than what I am proposing. Heck I grew everything in my 75 gallon with just 4 VHO's on an IceCap 660 ballast and they did really well. Plus keep in mind will be supplementing with T5's overdriven on an IceCap 660 ballast. They rival any MH bulb.

KurtsReef I don't want a 3rd bulb due to cost on power and maintenance. Plus I really don't know what you mean by all other equipment. I fully intend to run the 180 just like I do my current 75 gallon tank. Simple, efficient, and affordable. That means no cal reactor, kalk reactor, and I may even go skimmerless. Although I do have a good skimmer. I am just not using it and since I have quit my tank is doing far better than it ever has.

I prefer a DSB with a good refugium along with charcoal. I also use Randy Holmes-Farley's two-part modified solution in conjunction with pickling lime in my RO top off.

I am sure there had to be some 180 gallon owners only using two MH bulbs on here. Anyone care to share their experience?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[mflamb]

You will easily be able to keep SPS under the metal halides, maybe not everywhere else. I'm also a DSB and refugium fan, but I have a monster skimmer in my system, because I'm a big fish fan. The T-5 lights will only be helpful if they are 6500 or 10K. The actinics may give better percieved color, but low par. If you have any DIY ability, check out these sites:
http://thebrian.net/reflector/
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1120189&highlight=reflectors
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1110044&highlight=reflectors

 

[J4Life]

mflamb why do say that T5's have low par?? Most have as much par if not more than many MH's just curious what you're basing that statement on.

Thanks for the help as well and the diy threads. I will check them out.

 

[mflamb]

You must take your time and read the whole sentence.
The actinics have low par. 6500 and 10k have high par.

 

[yaktop]

buy a light track $250 +/- and 5 watts. it will slowly roll the lights back and forth across your tank.

 

[J4Life]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10488290#post10488290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
You must take your time and read the whole sentence.
The actinics have low par. 6500 and 10k have high par.

I read your sentence perfectly. I am asking you to provide something that backs that statement up is all. I have not seen anything to support it but that doesn't mean I am right. Plus which actinics would you be referring to. There are a lot.

Thanks,
Bill


yaktop thanks for the suggestion.

 

[mflamb]

I just went to Southeastern Reef Conference where Sanjay spoke. On Friday evening, I got to have a conversation with him for about an hour about lighting. When asked why he did not use actinic, he gave me the info that I gave you. I don't find a need to research something told me by the one who writes most of what we research about lighting.

 

[J4Life]

mflamb thanks. I don't find it necessary to do so either but too many people on this forum make a lot of blanket statements without having anything credible to back it up. Do you know if Sanjay has a site with bulb statistics for T5's yet? I had heard he was going to but just haven't seen or check his site in a while.

Thanks

 

[serpentman]

Personally, I would go with 3 lights. Given the 6 foot length, you are likely to have darker areas. Another issue to consider, if its a standard 180 from AGA, Oceanic, etc. you will most likely have 2 supports beams across the top. Each will be 1/3 in from the sides, exactly where you will want to mount your lights.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

AGA tanks definitely have 2 cross braces (3 openings), but I think Oceanic tanks have 1 large glass brace in the middle, giving them 2 openings. You dont want to put a light directly above a cross brace, if for no other reason then you will be blocking (wasting) a good junk of the output which you are paying for!

In any case, you may find yourself with some dim areas, which are just fine. Keep your SPS right under the bulbs, and put softies and what not in the dim areas.

 

[rwrussom]

J4Life - I dont see where you are going to have a real problem. I run 2 - 250w SE HQI over a 225 + (4) T5s. They are in LumenMax reflectors which do a lot to even out the light distibution. Spider reflectors will create stronger hot spots. But even with $300.00 in reflectors the light is not even across the tank. Some lower light levels occur on the ends and in the middle. This look can be naturalized through proper aquascaping. Additionally, corals have differnt lighting needs so placement with your tanks conditions will help.
If your looking to do high light demand animals across the tank then I dont think two will cut it, but otherwise that type of setup should provide plenty of options.

 

[J4Life]

Hey thanks for the input everyone. The tank I am looking at is an Oceanic and it has one glass center brace in the middle so 3 lights really wouldn't be a option.

I appreciate all of the help and advise so far. If anyone has anything else to add please do. I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[RokleM]

I have 2x 400w HQI Radium's over my 180 with 2x 24" actinic in the middle (not really need, but use for dusk/dawn). Mine has a large glass center brace. However, I keep primarily LPS and softies in the middle.