lighting for the zoa's

[milkshake]

I have a 40gal tall. I have mostly zoo's and softies in the tank.
Would a 250HQI w/75W VHO's be overkill? The reason for asking is, the zoo's at the lower portion of the tank are stretching. I already have a 175MH DIY w/10K Ushio over it. I figure a hood system with the VHO's would give the dusk to dawn affect and also be the additional lighting that I need. Let me know what you guys think!!! :crazy1:

 

[twon8]

i would go with t-5' instead of vho

 

[milkshake]

A 250HQI w/T5's ??

 

[milkshake]

bump

 

[ScotchMaster]

How tall is the tank?

 

[milkshake]

tank is 30L x 12W x 24D

 

[milkshake]

bump

 

[surfnvb7]

to me, a 250w HQI seems a bit overkill for that sized tank, unless you are planning on doing sps/clams.

instead, try a 250w on an electronic ballast (SE mogul type with a very GOOD reflector).

i can see why you say your 175w doesn't pack enough punch on 24" deep. but there is a HUUUUUUUGE difference in intensity b/w a 175w on an electronic ballast and 250w on HQI.

but, i think you'd be fine with a 250w on electronic ballast, and either VHO's or T5 actinics. or all T5's. i'm not a big fan of all VHO tanks anymore. the colors are too artificial looking.

i used to have the super actinic VHO URI's. sold them cuz i couldnt stand the purple hue. but i LOVE the aquablue plus on T5's. its a very true blue.

 

[milkshake]

So...a 150W HQI w/T5's would be more suitable then?

 

[surfnvb7]

are we talking a DE pendant? or an SE mogul?

i'm assuming when you are talking HQI, you mean DE. the thing about DE pendants, they have alot of power to punch down to greater depths, but they arent good at spreading the light out.

for a tank as deep as yours, and at 30" wide. i think you'd be better off with an SE mogul set up with a good 30" long reflector which will spread the light out alot better.

i've noticed that my zoas tend to get very tiny polyps when in direct intense light. and look nice and full with long skirts under indirect light.

a 150w HQI doesn't have enough punch either really.

 

[milkshake]

So now we are talking about a 250W SE Mogul w/T5's? Looks like I would have to go with a 24" fixture and find some legs to mount it to the 30" length of the tank. I have searched for a website that would carry a fixture of sorts and have not found a single one that carries a 30" fixture with a 250W SE Mogul and T5's
If you know of one...plez let me know.

 

[surfnvb7]

ohh, you are looking for a complete fixture? those are quite expensive, and not very DIY friendly if you want to change fixtures, add/remove lights etc. save some cash and go the DIY route. just build a canopy out of wood. then get a spider reflector for a SE mogul or a really cool PFO parallel reflector

the really cool thing about the PFO reflector is the cut outs on the edge so you can mount VHO end caps or T5 end caps directly to the reflector. its probably the 2nd best reflector out there, second to lumenarcs of course. excellent light spread and reflection so corals are receiving light from all angles, and not just from straight above.