How to light a deep corner tank

[forensicdoc]

I have a 190 gallon in-wall tank that was just placed. It is time to think about lighting for this tank. It will eventually be a mixed reef tank, and I hope to be able to include other high light species such as clams. The tank dimensions are 42" on a side and 37" deep. I plan to use MH lighting (400W) in pendants. The questions are what type (single mogul or DE), how many and where to place them.

This is the outside view of the 190 before installation of trim.

This is the view from inside the fish room. The large tank in the center of the picture is a 290 gallon bowfront. The tank in question (on the left) as you note has an opening above the same dimensions as the tank.

Here is a footprint of the tank.

My thoughts were to have two 400W MH lights. I would place them between the overflow box and the front on either side. Is this sufficient?

As to type. The advantage of HQI is that it is more compact and has a bit higher light output, but is more expensive. Who makes a great DE fixture? If I went with single mogul fixtures, I am not sure Luminarc III's would fit comfortably. They make a mini version of the LIII, but is it as good as its big brother?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[reefer51]

Corner tank lighting

Corner tank lighting

Hi Doc:

You've got a beautiful tank and setup!! For the lighting, I would think best way to go is DE HQI, recommend IceCap or more cost effective is PFO. 37" is very deep ,and if you want clams,U would definitely want as much light as possible. I hope this helps, I am in the process of helping friend setup 92g qtr cylinder tank now.

Im not any Julian Sprung, but that's my 2cents. I would be interested to see how it comes out.

Kevin

 

[xtrstangx]

2 400w and maybe a 250w would be cool.

Let me try a little diagram...

Overflow 400w

400w 250w

Make sense?

 

[forensicdoc]

reefer51...thanks for your comments. I have been leaning towards the DE HQI also.

xtrstangx...I get your diagram. I just wonder if I have room for 3 fixtures in there. What would you recommend for fixtures?

 

[fishdoc11]

I like SE bulbs but take that with a grain of salt because the one DE fixture I own doesn't keep color well at all in sps(but it does great with zoanthids). I am assuming you want to use 14K or 20K bulbs with no atinic supplimentation. In that case I would recommend 2 400 watt SE fixtures with electronic ballasts and either Aquaconnect 14K or Radium bulbs depending on how much blue you like. My personal preference would be to suppliment with atinics and go with Ushio 10K's.
FWIW, Chris

 

[xtrstangx]

Not sure. You could go with single ended ReefStar 2 (maybe it is Reef Optix, its reef-something and they are mogul socket pendants).

I'm sure you would be fine with 2 400w though. More light is always better though? Like Tim Allen said "more power!! aaarg!!!" :lol:

Yeah, I like SE.. but DE has its advantages. Perhaps someone else with a corner tank can help ya out.

You could always run the 2 400w's and perhaps get some 3'/4' VHO going from the corners of the arc to light up the center??

I better stop talking now. :lol: