Anthony, some advice please?

[Fliger]

Hi Anthony, I posted this somewhere else, but would love your opinion. I will be keeping SOME SPS, but mostly LPS & I would really like to keep several clams. Thanks! (BTW, loving the book)

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Advice on 10K & 20K MH Combo
This thread doesn't get as many views as the main thread, but I figure people with a lot of lighting experience might read this. Please give me your opinions, I'd like to order today.

I have a 44x28x28 tank and I would like to do three metal halide lights. I can not use any VHO to supplement due to the position of the tank. Currently I have two Coralife bell pendants, 175W each. I will be buying a third Reefoptix or PFO pendant today, probably 250W. Since the tank is only 44" long, they will be very tight so I'm not too worried about an unballanced appearance. I like a blueish color, but not as blue as I've seen some radiums, so here are my options:

2x 175W XM bulbs on the right & left
1x 250W AB 10K bulb in the center
This seems like I'd get some nice blue color to balance the 10K bulb
The middle 10K bulb has better spread than the bells so it should blend nicely.

2x 175W AB 10K bulbs on right & left
1x 250W or 400W XM or Radium bulb in center.
Same as #1, spread should be ok.
This might work well because I want a "channel" in the center of the tank, so my 10K bulbs will be directly over the "walls".
I worry a bit about this because I don't know if the 175W AB 10K bulbs will be powerful enough to penetrate 20" of water (water line 2" below tank top & 6" DSB).

Right now the ONLY thing I have are the two pendants, so I am able to purchase whatever works best.

Please give me your thoughts, opinions & advice.

THANKS!

David

 

[Anthony Calfo]

I'm inclined to suggest the latter but most only because of aesthetic preference under/among quality lamp choices.

Suggesting anything so specific based on optimal coral health/growth is really a moot point otherwise without a list of corals. Its so common for aquarists to choose their lamps before choosing their corals. Often unfortunate too.

Besides the mix of LPS, SPS and clams already... there are issues with lower light sps (some Montiporas) versus high light acros... and then low light LPS like Nemanzophyllia, purple tip elegants, some bubble corals, etc versus Goniastrea. These are night and day contrasts and needs in most cases (Hi-Lo).

So... I really would like to help, but it pains me to condone or advise on garden reef aquaria so indiscriminately.

My advice, bud is to spen a lot more time planning the seascape with a hitlist of desired species... then evaluate the lighting scheme that will suit that collection best.

Best regards,

Anthony