If

[bayoupr]

If I was to switch from T5's to MH's, what would be sufficient for a 125g long?

 

[moondoggy4]

I would start at least with dual 175, it all depends with what you want to keep, and how expensive the elec. rates are. 175 for softies.

 

[bayoupr]

I'm looking at a 3x150w fixture. What would be a good height to install this above my tank? I'm thinking about 16". Right now I have some mushroom corals, leather corals, some zoo's, a bubble coral and a green branching hammer.

 

[LeviChar1]

two 250s should be fine. try a mixed pendant with HQI

 

[kretzkiller]

why would you hang them 16" above the water? If you are going to do that get get 250's. also are you wanting a fixture or retro fit?

 

[bayoupr]

This is a fixture with 3 HQI 150 14000k bulbs. I pick the 16" height now sure how high to install these. Never had Mh lighting before. I figure this is got to be better that two 36" double bulb T5's that I have now. what would be a good height for these? I read somewhere about a min of 12"?

 

[bayoupr]

Any Ideas as to how high above my tank I should install this fixture?

 

[bayoupr]

Bump

 

[bayoupr]

Lets try this; What would be a good height over my tank with a 72" 3x150HQI MH light with the corals I have now, a few post up decribes my tank.

 

[96p993]

Interested why you are wanting to switch...

 

[sminker]

i was looking into MH for my 125 also.

decided against it for possibly heat issues, sticking to T5's, gonna have 4x39 and 4x80

*i really dont want to buy a chiller*

money could be used on other stuff

 

[bayoupr]

Right now I am runnig 4 39w T5's. If I'm going to invest in more lighting for my tank than I want to have one fixture and not add more fixtures to boost my lighting. I am adding an extension to my canopy which will be open top and open back for this fixture to sit flush into. I want to be boost my lighting in order to possibly get some LPS corals, not strong light corals but med light corals.

 

[sminker]

honestly man for LPS as long as you have individual reflectors you only need to spend about 150-200 more on one more retro kit to achieve enough light for what you want.

ive got GSP, Brains, Bubbles, hammers, frogspawn and a few others just under 4x39 and 2x54. Everything is growing and looks healthy. Especially my huge GSP rock and brain (sits on sandbed)

im also testing a greens birdsnest. been three weeks and no browning and i swear its getting bigger.