DEEP tank lighting

[naterealbig]

Setting up a 180gal - 42" deep, 42" long and 24" wide aquarium. I want to keep clams at the bottom, and SPS's throughout. I think the majority of the concensus will be to use 2 to 3 400 Watt MH supplimented with actinic VHO's or PC's. What are your thoughts on this? If I'm right about the MH's, where can I purchase a lamp or kit that has a 400W DE HQI that is of good quality? Still haven't been able to find anyone with a tank of this depth.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

(2) 250w MH would be fine. T5's would penetrate that deep, but you would have to get the 36" ones. I would skip T5's unless you can get the 48" ones.

 

[naterealbig]

.

 

[BreadmanMike]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8262991#post8262991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by naterealbig
Ok - I think I messed up when I put the dimensions. The tank is 42 inches deep, 42inches long, and 24 inches wide. Still think the 2x 250 watt MH would be ok?

400's for sure. I would look at the lumenarc or lumenmax reflectors. They both come in SE or DE versions. They are as good as it gets.

 

[chrisaggie]

I would recommend 400s as well with Lumen Max reflectors. Most likely 2 bulbs.

 

[Covey]

Unless it has changed recentily there isn't much for bulb selection in the 400W DE bulbs I would run SE bulbs in a Lumenarch or Lumnimax reflector.

I still don't know if that is enough light for the clams on the bottom unless they are lower light clams.

 

[Racenrich]

FWIW....i have a 24in high tank and my lights sit about 36-40in from the bottom of my tank.....i get very nice color and growth......
I run: MH, 2--250w-10K XM's and 4-110w Actinic VHO's.....save your cash and go with the 250's......The 400's, granite you'll get more intense coloration....for what ive read.....but im truly amazed on how well my 250's color up the bottom of my tank....HTH.

Rich K.

 

[toastman]

Your tank is 42" deep? That is 3 and 1/2 feet deep, I dont think that 250 watt MH will reach to the bottom of the tank, I would go with all t5s, with icecaps, and ic reflectors, go with the 36" bulbs, just stagger their placement, and run 8-10 of them, with them being over driven it should push plenty of light down to the deeper parts of that tank. You could go with a combination of lights and use 2 400 watt MH, with say 4 t5 bulbs, imo

 

[NuclearReefs]

anything over 24 inches deep needs 400's
Dont dis out on the 250's thinking you will be happy,,,,
400's!!!!!!

 

[Hockeydad]

I run

I run

3 400 watt de 20k with a set od t5's each with two 36 actinics. LIGHT IS GOOD! LIGHT AND LOTS OF FLOW ARE BEST!
Good luck!

 

[paulhines]

I've got a 30inch deep tank (150g high) with 2 x 250w DE 14K Phoenix, and 4 x 54w T5 10K and actinic on the Icecap 660. I've got lots of light, the T5s are BRIGHT by themselves. Clams and sps on the bottom.

I was right on the edge between 250w and 400w with mine... got lots of advice both ways. But 42 inches deep!!!, I'd do 400w DE MH and T5s.

 

[trueblackpercula]

I have a 30" deep tank BB and run 250 se on a icecap ballast. I also how 150 vho actinics. My sps are doing great but i would have to say 250watt would not be enough for your depth 400watt is the way to go.
Michael