Halide question for 180g tank

[james30ct]

72" Current USA Outer Orbit HQI Metal Halides + T5's fixture

Does or has anyone used this light? Wondering if it will work well on a 180g sps tank. Thanks for any help.

 

[Mustang67]

What are you using now? And what is the wattage of the MH & T5's?

 

[james30ct]

I have 3 reefbreeder value fixtures and 2 ati 80w diy reflectors.

The orbit is 3x250 hqi's and 8x39w t5's

 

[Mustang67]

I am not an expert, someone else is going to have to chime in, but I have to imagine that the Orbit unit by itself will work just fine. 3x 250's and 8 39 HO T5's is pretty powerful.

Actually I would repost this question with the configuration you mentioned in the Lighting, filtration forum. I am sure you will get a quick response.

 

[Dmorty217]

you will want 400w halides on a 180g because of the 30" depth. I had 250w halides, 3 of them on my 180g years ago and it wasn't enough

 

[jgalen0025]

the standard 180 6x2x2 is only 24 inches deep. If you want to grow sps everywhere than 400 watt 20ks are your answer but you could get away with 250s in the 10-14k range since they give out higher par

 

[Dmorty217]

I had the 250w MH on my 180 years ago and hated them

 

[b7fig]

I have an 180 sps tank with three 250's and T5s and my SPS are doing great and growing like weeds. Broken frags on the sand bed growing nicely. Around 400 par in the middle of the tank.

Even though Current is not my favorite brand, it should do just fine. (My 180 is 24" deep)

 

[cleverbs]

I agree 400s are not needed. I run 3x 250w Radiums and 4x 80w T5hos and I am rocking solid par numbers all over my tank and its a 220 so it is 30" tall. However I run Radiums on a M80 ballast and I hear they drive them up to 330W each so I am getting a bit more then 250w per MH

 

[Kenmx10]

I agree with Cleverbs. Also it depends on the fixtures. Hamilton Cayman Sun 250w fixtures are high output and have better PAR than their 400w Cozumel fixtures. Although the cozumel has a larger footprint. So you can't just count the wattage and not consider the reflectors.

 

[Dmorty217]

I have an 180 sps tank with three 250's and T5s and my SPS are doing great and growing like weeds. Broken frags on the sand bed growing nicely. Around 400 par in the middle of the tank.

Even though Current is not my favorite brand, it should do just fine. (My 180 is 24" deep)

I agree 400s are not needed. I run 3x 250w Radiums and 4x 80w T5hos and I am rocking solid par numbers all over my tank and its a 220 so it is 30" tall. However I run Radiums on a M80 ballast and I hear they drive them up to 330W each so I am getting a bit more then 250w per MH

I didn't have T5s on mine 14 years ago... Im sure that would of made a difference