Another question about lighting

[zeroppm]

I have a 90 that I'd like to put a clam in.. I'm thinking about 2 175 watt MH and 2 96 pc. Will this be adequate? I have a 4" DSB.

 

[mattseattle]

depends on what type of clam.

i have a maxima in a 55 with a 6" DSB and had 2 x 175w MH on it. I had to keep it at the top of the tank for adequate coloration and growth. i just upgraded to 2 x 250w MH and moved it down some.

I'd go for 250's if I were you and want to be able to have all types of clams in various depths.

 

[Diehl]

I have a 4 inch Blue Maxima in my 90 gal. running Duel 175 watt Ushio's and Duel 110watt VHO's. It is very colorful and happy. They will do fine with your lighting as long as its not on the bottom. Check out mine in my gallary

 

[mattseattle]

but if you want adequate lighting and if you don't want to have to worry about upgrading it soon i would go with 250's. leaves ya room to grow and they are not that much more expensive.

i bought 175's and i should've went ahead and went for 250's at that time.

 

[zeroppm]

Thanks for the help. I'm going through the painful ($$) process of looking for lighting now...

 

[mattseattle]

take a look on the Used forum here. I bought a year old PFO Dual 250w ballast & bulbs and all for cheap cheap. Works perfectly and the bulbs only had 5 months use on them.

I just sold my Dual 175w ballasts, bulbs and mogul sockets for 90.00.

Pumps are about the only thing I haven't bought used.

 

[zeroppm]

Thanks for the heads up-- I'll check it out. The best price I've found so far is around 570 for 2 175 and pcs. Electronic ballasts add another couple hundred. Ouch!

 

[mattseattle]

yeah, that's way too high at least for me. when i first got my 175's i did a trade with a guy on here. i traded a wireless access point and a card for a complete setup. bulbs, mogul sockets, quick disconnect cords, ballasts, reflectors, etc. something i had and wasn't using.

for the 250's i just got i was just lurking around and saw a post on the for sale for it and i jumped on it once i saw it.

definitely cheaper than buying brand new. i'm more of a DIY type of guy except on some things.

you could always just post a Want To Buy ad on the For Sale forum as well. You'll get a ton of responses. Probably more than you'd want. Alot of people break their tanks down when moving and sell or they get out of the hobby all together. Good deals out there if you just watch.

 

[Julio]

i have maximas and croceas in a 90 gallon with two 175 watt 65K and two 40watt flourescence.