is 10 watts per gallon to much?

[Waxxiemann]

I am trying to decide weather to go with 400 watt lamps or 250 watt lamps. I'd get 6.7 watts per gallon with 250's and just over 10 with 400's.

I have 2 54 watt t5's in there already for actinic supplementation.

When is it to much? I plan to keep sps and clams but I would like some LPS as well.

I would like to be able to place the clams on the substrate.

Thanks,
Waxx

 

[lakebound]

Edited

What are the dimensions? Just to let you know I ordered two 400watt Hamilton 14K's and 4 HO T5's for my 135.

 

[Waxxiemann]

It's a 90 gallon tank. 48" by 18" by 24" tall.

 

[PiNaPLeX]

you might run into heat problems if you run the 2x400w setup. Aside from the lighting itself, be prepared to invest another $500 or so in a chiller.

 

[Waxxiemann]

I don't really want to do a chiller..... Fans wouldn't be enough? Maybe the 250's are a better choice.

on a side note, then tank is in my basement, which is really cool, year round.

Waxx

 

[twon8]

if you have a big enough sump and some fans you will be fine. if i were you i would invest in an aquacontroller, so if you do get too hot it will shut off your lights.

 

[Waxxiemann]

My sump is 60 gallons. A chiller is just to expensive. Plus my girlfriend would KMA if I tried to convince her I need another expensive peice of gear.

I think what I'll do is try and put 2 fans in the canopy and 1 over the sump? What do you guys think.

Waxx

 

[blenny90]

The new Reefkeeper2 will also shut off lights at a set temperature for about $280. The other negative with fans is the evaporation. A chiller offers a lot of "peace of mind".

 

[zapata41]

just go with the 250w halides, you dont need the 400s fr a tank that is only 24" deep. i run 250s on my 180 and everything is fine.

Tim

 

[conspicman]

just use 250watt horizontal pendants. that will give you tons of light and VERY little heat transfer. good luck with everything

 

[PiNaPLeX]

i'm going with 2x250w and 2x54w T5 actinic also on my 90G tank. that setup with fans should hopefully keep your tank within a temp range if you live in an area that doesn't get too hot in the summer. I'm sure that's really not a problem in winnipeg.

 

[conspicman]

if you can pin try to go with pendants you will get almost zero heat transfer. you will be amazed. i promise

 

[hahnmeister]

There have been a couple reefers near me that are removing their cross braces on their reef tanks, and replacing them with Euro-bracing....so that they can run single 400watt halides on them....which is really enough for a 90g if you add 2 to 4 T5s for supplimental light at the edges. That would be my suggestion for a 90g...an otherwise difficult tank to light efficiently.

 

[DrBDC]

The 250's should be plenty. On my tank which is 24 deep I have 175's but that requires I keep a high par bulb like an XM10,000K or I probably wouldn't have enough. 250's should allow you to have a greater bulb choice w/o worrying about par output. Well at least not as much.

 

[dtaranath]

and since you are concerned with the extra cost of possibly getting a chiller, keep in mind the extra cost of the 300 watts per hour for 10 hours a day (or however long you plan on using it) you would be adding with the 400's instead of the 250's. That will definitely add up to way more than a chiller, in no time at all.

 

[hahnmeister]

Halides only need to be on for 6 hours a day though, 8 at most...10 is just overkill. If you have supplimental, you could cut back to 4 hours a day.

That single 400watt in the center (provided you do a eurobrace mod) with 2-4 T5 bulbs is still the best option IMO. The halide would only be on for 4-6 hours, and then T5s for 8-10 hours. Things would grow like mad, but the wattage would be kept low.

One suggestion though...I would consider a 120 over a 90g...the extra 6" allows for better rock formations, more room, etc...but w/o any extra equipment/lighting needed. In case you havent bought the tank already...

 

[fishdoc11]

2 250's should work well. That's what I have on my 90 sps dominated reef with 3 clams on the bottom. Plan on using the same thing on my 120
FWIW, Chris

 

[Pazazz]

10 watts a gallon is overkill unless you are dosing the tank with sunscreen... LOL