is this strong enough lighting

[redscorpio29]

i have a 65 gal setup for SPS and i was considering to go with 2 250 MH and 2-4 VHO bulbs 96 watts each, i am new to lighting with sps and i have been getting somewhat mixed reviews of what to use. any ideas, dont hold back i am going all the way with this tank. thank u guys in advance

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

specs on your tank please lxwxh would help for starters...

 

[Don Berry]

As far as lighting goes that will be a good combination.

 

[redscorpio29]

65 gal driiled for returns , custom overflow box with 2 1'' holes for drain to sump, blueline 1300 gph for closed loop, useing supersquirt 4 way. 15gal high fuge ,15gal long sump, euroreef skimmer. little giant 2-MDQX-SC for sump return. should be what you are looking for pics in gallery too.

 

[MiddletonMark]

That's a 3' [36 x 18 x 24] 65g?

I've got 2 x 250w MH [10k + 20k mix] + 2 96w VHO actinic on my 58 ... definitely enough light IMO.

 

[thefuture]

no intentions of high jacking the thread but is one 250 watt halide enough for a 36'' tank?

 

[MiddletonMark]

My opinion - but it will leave the ends of the tank fairly dim compared to the middle w/ just 1.
I'd pay a lot of attention to the reflector if going with just 1 bulb - as getting a wide, and even, spread would be important visually and to maximize the space you could grow light-demanding corals.

For example - this isn't even the `best' reflector out there IMO - but for this size tank [and 2 MH on it] with supplimentals it was what was available at the time.
--- 2 year old pic, when I ran 175's ... ----
Here's a pic with 1 MH on a white, plain reflector vs. same light + tank with a better reflector. The amount of light in the tank's corners is significantly changed - plus much less a `hot spot' directly below the lamp.
As said before, pay attention to the reflector, IMO.

Only change is the reflector ...

FWIW, here's a pic with 2 MH's + VHO actinic [vs 1 MH + PC actinic as above]:

 

[thefuture]

what kind of reflector is it? i can see the diference its wide. right now i am debating about getting a 48'' or 36'' around 60 gallon tank. i intend on having a decent amount of fish. what do u think i should get

 

[MiddletonMark]

It's a 36" PFO parallel reflector.
IMO not the perfect reflector - but did pretty well IMO in Sanjay's reflector study - has a `hot' area' about 6" in front/behind the bulb running down the tank ... but pretty even otherwise.
Works well for 2 MH [though only 1 MH in picture above]

I dunno, if my tank could handle the size [or I could have found a LA mini] - I'd probably go with the LumenArc for SE bulbs.
But - all I found at the time as the larger ones - which would be difficult to fit 2 of on a 36" x 18" frame ...


Anyway - time to get back to the original poster Start a thread and LMK for your tank.

I do say, IMO my tank has really come along since then - the reflector upgrade [+ second MH addition] was when I started focusing on SPS + set up a second tank for my softies ... what a difference time makes

 

[thefuture]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=785905
i started a new thread. here is the link. sorry redscorpio29, didnt really mean to take over. lol

 

[redscorpio29]

not a problem learning from all of the posts weather mine or yours , thanks for replys

 

[AWExotics]

Red,

I think it is great lighting for a 3' 65 or a 4' 65.

I personally have gone with all 14 K halides and eliminated all Actinic flourescents.

Current is putting out a 36" and a 48" fixture with 2 x 150 W 14K DE Halides . The reflector is great and they are run off electronic ballasts. IMO they are more intense than my 2 x 250W mogul 14K off magneti ballast.

Todd

 

[seminolecpa]

Yep. I would agree. I have the same lighting pattern on my 58 and I would say that in some cases it is almost too much light. My photoperiod on my halides is only about 5-6 hours with 20K's.

 

[redscorpio29]

cool will check it out , it would be nice if i can get away with just halides , be cheaper too , nice pics of your 120 duece fragaolo, thanks guys

 

[woodywoo]

I have a 65 that is 3' long. I have 2x250watts xm 20k bulbs with 2x15" parallel reflectors. The tank really glows.

 

[AWExotics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6829833#post6829833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redscorpio29
cool will check it out , it would be nice if i can get away with just halides , be cheaper too , nice pics of your 120 duece fragaolo, thanks guys

Thanks Scorpio. Next week I will try to photograph my prop system. It is using the 36" SunPod light fixture by Current.

It also has the dual 250W fixture I mentioned above. I want to show the visible intensity difference.

Todd