I have submitted my order to have SoCal Creations build my 36x24x24 tank. I currently have a 36" Sunpod with 2 150w MH 14K's. Will this be enough light for a 24"H tank that will house LPS/SPS and a 4" sand bed? My only affordable upgrade if this isn;t enough would be dual 250w MH's from Aqua Medic but I would prefer not to if I don't have to.
Lighting for 90g 24" High
- Thread starter IsaaX
- Start date
PsychoKnight
New member
Yes, a single, high-par 250 bulb & ballast combo in an efficient reflector can almost double the output at depth. You can get a feel for the increases in efficiencies w/ Sanjay's page comparing any wattage, brand and bulb type, using the other entries as wildcards to display a comparison of par results. For example, the Giesemann 250's output can range from 82 to 129 ppfd depending on just the ballast matched to it. Add a lumenarc or similar, and you save on electricity, heat output, even long term operating costs from maintaining/replacing a dual ballast/bulb system to just a single system.
Can you recommend something that will allow me to hang it? The new tank will be open top with no canopy and the lighting will be hanged. If I can get by with only one highly efficient pendant style 250w system with a kick *** reflecter that can cover a 36x24 area with the ability to hang then I'm all for it. Less heat, less electricity is a good thing for me 
Were you talking about something like this?
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...e_geisemann_nova_2_ii_hqi_pendant.asp?CartId=
Please recommend what I need to buy with links as I am new to MH lighting.
I appreciate everyone's help.
Were you talking about something like this?
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...e_geisemann_nova_2_ii_hqi_pendant.asp?CartId=
Please recommend what I need to buy with links as I am new to MH lighting.
I appreciate everyone's help.
this reflector will cover a 3x3 area depending on how high you place it. only problem is that it's not that pretty or slim. but probably one of the best reflectors on the market.
lumenarc III
this is the ballast i use.
blue wave III hqi
as for the single end bulb, the 10K xm has the best par but for added color you should add VHO actinics. if you dont mind a blue look there is the 20K radium. these are the single ended bulbs.
radium
xm 10k
dont know much about the new lumenmax III reflector but i think some guys here are using it and it looks better than the lumenarcs. lumenmax III
this reflector uses double ended bulbs.(i dont know much about DE bulbs but i think gcarrol(he also uses the lumenmax III i believe) or some of the other guys use them so you should ask them)
good luck and dont rush yourself.....figure it all out first.
lumenarc III
this is the ballast i use.
blue wave III hqi
as for the single end bulb, the 10K xm has the best par but for added color you should add VHO actinics. if you dont mind a blue look there is the 20K radium. these are the single ended bulbs.
radium
xm 10k
dont know much about the new lumenmax III reflector but i think some guys here are using it and it looks better than the lumenarcs. lumenmax III
this reflector uses double ended bulbs.(i dont know much about DE bulbs but i think gcarrol(he also uses the lumenmax III i believe) or some of the other guys use them so you should ask them)
good luck and dont rush yourself.....figure it all out first.
I think Sanjay's tests are not very useful without long term data. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any tests after say 6 months and 1 year. What good is a high par bulb if 6 months later, it's half the par of another bulb? For example, the silverstar headlights is a lot brighter than normal bulbs but at the expense of a much shorter lifespan.
dodgersfan25
New member
this is funny, i was in the same exact situation as you. i was wondering what lighting to get and what not. well, my new upgraded tank is also 24" and i am using 2x250MH's with 2 96W PC's. they are really bright and easily penetrate to the bottom of the tank. i think it's worth it for all that light! the corals seem to think so!
dodgers,
Yeah dude, I'm kinda stuck. I originally wanted 20"H and the lighting would've been ok. But then SoCal Creations told me that they can make it 24" at no charge so I said "uh ok" heh. They said 36x24x24 takes exactly one full sheet of acrylic anything above 24" it would be more since they would be tapping into a 2nd sheet.
Now I'm stuck with not even a month old 2x150 MH fixture that I need to get rid of. My tank/stand/sump will be done by the end of the month.
SirLight1337
New member
You will be very happy with your socal tank. I have the exact same tank 36x24x24 eurobraced with thier stand. I went when the open top Euro look. Fantastic work done by them. Just waiting for my new sump from them as well
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7698514#post7698514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SirLight1337
You will be very happy with your socal tank. I have the exact same tank 36x24x24 eurobraced with thier stand. I went when the open top Euro look. Fantastic work done by them. Just waiting for my new sump from them as well
Got pics of your tank/stand?
Yup, I went with Eurobrace and External Overflow. I really like the open top look. They'll be making a sump that i designed. Just waiting for my G3 skimmer to get here so I can finalize my measurements. Wanna exchange sump designs? I'm interested to see what you came up with to be able to fit other things under the tank.
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