Lighting a 36"x36" SPS Dominant Tank?

[parkavenuereef]

I moved the rocks towards the middle a lit bit over the weekend. Here is the result:

The Tank looks good.. I would say you have decent lighting from what I say... It's funny to see how everyone with this tank seems to setup there tanks the exact same way in terms of rock stacking pretty much all to the center with all sides free and clear. I will have to see what kind of hydroponics reflector I can get to fit in the original hood. definetly following along here.

 

[rainmkr07]

It's funny to see how everyone with this tank seems to setup there tanks the exact same way in terms of rock stacking pretty much all to the center with all sides free and clear.

I know, right? I hate that. It sort of defeats the point of having a 36" deep tank, if you can't use it. I might as well have a 24"x24" cube.

 

[REEF SMAC]

I think TWO 400w MHs over a 36" tank might be a tad overkill!

For a mushroom tank maybe. This is an SPS forum though and the OP said he wanted to light an SPS tank.

I moved the rocks towards the middle a lit bit over the weekend. Here is the result:

So did this re-scape solve your lighting issue?

 

[kaserpick]

Honestly, if you keep your rocks like that, then leave the light alone. You don't need anything else. I would maybe get a 'finished' reflector to sharpen up the look.

 

[rainmkr07]

I have borrowed a PAR meter and will post the results this weekend. I am sure this reflector will "work" - but I am still thinking the lumenmax reflector would be better. Holding off for now.

 

[tgbaby1]

I have a 36 x 36 x 18 tank and use a Hamilton Cozumel Sun reflector with a 400w bulb. Its pretty big but it lights up the entire tank. I'm interested to see what kind of results you get.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/hamilton-cozumel-sun-reflector

 

[Useful_Idiot]

I think you need more fish in there too.

 

[rainmkr07]

I had a PAR meter tonight and took new readings with the 400w MH. The RED = the reading from 7 months ago, when I had 2 radions; The GREEN = taken today with the 400w MH in the Lumen Brite Large Reflector.

First, 2 pictures of how the radions were hung, and the MH is hung, which helps explain why the numbers are the way they are.

Radion Placement:

MH Placement:

PAR Reading:

 

[sirreal63]

A perfect example of how a spotlight reflector works and why most people raise them up really high to help the spread a little. If you do the large omen max, I hope you get to use the par meter on it as well. Nice job.