how do you light your 36" plus tank
- Thread starter sg1.025
- Start date
tom obrecht
Active member
I'm using 400watt bulbs in Luminarc III refelectors as well.
I was using 3 X 400W DE 20K bulbs in Coralvue pendants but will be steping back to 2 of them on a light mover. Tank is 7' long, 36" deep. The light mover will hold the lights 3' apart and only travel 3'. This will give a longer light period over the corals than having it travel the full 7'.
I've also moved the tank into a new room that has a south facing wall full of windows with the front of the tank facing east. Now the tank gets a lot of natural sunlight. I'll have to see how that plays out as far as heat goes this summer but so far so good.
I've also moved the tank into a new room that has a south facing wall full of windows with the front of the tank facing east. Now the tank gets a lot of natural sunlight. I'll have to see how that plays out as far as heat goes this summer but so far so good.
sg1.025
Premium Member
blown63chevy - I'm curious to see if you get any excess algea growth with the natural sunlight. I was thinking installing a few solar tubes in my room, but, as i mentioned in my previous post, this is an experimental tank for me and I've chosen full T5 illumination.
I'll have 16 x 48" 54 watt bulbs about 5-6 inches from the tank. If needed, i'll add another 4 - 6 T5's.
I'll have 16 x 48" 54 watt bulbs about 5-6 inches from the tank. If needed, i'll add another 4 - 6 T5's.
I had a 45G tank in the past that was near the same side of the house and got some good Natural sun light in it. On the side of the tank that was covered with the sun light, my corals were bigger and there was no alage growing on the rocks or glass.
Alage grows from excess nutrients, not the color of the light.
As the tank currently sits, the left 2/3 rd's of the tank are bathed in the sun light. There is currently no other lights on the tank. I filled the tank with sand from the tank when I moved it that has been in the tank for 4 years. Also that sand sat stagnent in a large trashcan for about 6 months while I was plumbing everything. I filled the tank with NSW as well. AS expected, I had a small alage bloom on the rocks and all on that end of the tank. It has since subsided some and I expect it will eventually go away once all of the nutrients are expired that are in the tank. I have nothing in the tank currently to out compete the alage so it grows.
I have seeded the rock in the tank with some LR from my holding tank along with some bottles of different types of pods so that I can get a good diversity going in the tank. I see various sizes and types of pods crawling around in the tank along with some bristle worms and a few other worms. I do beleive that the natural sun light will help my corals to grow and will be placing my higher light demanding SPS corals near that end of the tank to see how they do.
Alage grows from excess nutrients, not the color of the light.
As the tank currently sits, the left 2/3 rd's of the tank are bathed in the sun light. There is currently no other lights on the tank. I filled the tank with sand from the tank when I moved it that has been in the tank for 4 years. Also that sand sat stagnent in a large trashcan for about 6 months while I was plumbing everything. I filled the tank with NSW as well. AS expected, I had a small alage bloom on the rocks and all on that end of the tank. It has since subsided some and I expect it will eventually go away once all of the nutrients are expired that are in the tank. I have nothing in the tank currently to out compete the alage so it grows.
I have seeded the rock in the tank with some LR from my holding tank along with some bottles of different types of pods so that I can get a good diversity going in the tank. I see various sizes and types of pods crawling around in the tank along with some bristle worms and a few other worms. I do beleive that the natural sun light will help my corals to grow and will be placing my higher light demanding SPS corals near that end of the tank to see how they do.
NICERICAN4YOU25
In Memoriam
I HAVE A 600 GAL I USED 1000W HALIDES OVER IT LOOKS NIIICEEE WORKING ON HANGING SOME FLORESENT LIGHTING
THE 1K W TAKES BOUT 9 AMPS OF POWER EACH, WITH SOME
FLORESENT ONT HAVE TO RUN THEM AS MUCH.
THE 1K W TAKES BOUT 9 AMPS OF POWER EACH, WITH SOME
FLORESENT ONT HAVE TO RUN THEM AS MUCH.
I have a 90Lx44Wx30T Penesula tank. I have 4 luminark reflectors with 4 of the reflux 12k 400w SE Bulbs running on 2 dual HQI Ballasts. I have no additional lighting except moon lights and it looks very nice IMO. I also have the 250w versions on my 125 Flat back hex that is 44wX24dx30t and it has nice growth.
I really like the setup on my 500g and would recommend those reflectors/bulbs.
I really like the setup on my 500g and would recommend those reflectors/bulbs.
Znut Reefer
Premium Member
I have a 120L x36W x 29T 550. I use 5 400 MH in LAIII reflectors. I can grow frags on the floor of the tank. Very pleased with my lighting setup.
NICERICAN4YOU25
In Memoriam
WHATS THE AMPERAGES PULLED Y ONE 400W HALIDE?
I HAVE 1000W IT PULLS 9 AMPS , I'M ALSO PUTTING EITHER VHO
OR FLOURESENT LIGHTING MY TANK IS 105L x 40W x 30T
I HAVE 1000W IT PULLS 9 AMPS , I'M ALSO PUTTING EITHER VHO
OR FLOURESENT LIGHTING MY TANK IS 105L x 40W x 30T
