lighting help for new tank

[dano83]

Setting up a new tank and I figured I would get on here to get some good advice.

I am setting up a 24x18x20 acrylic aquarium and am trying to figure out what lights to go with. I want to do metal halides so I can do clams and other things down the road if I want to. Do you think 175 will be enough? Would 250 be too much?? Also what color spectrum? I thought about adding a pc or t5 actinic also but I was reading that with a 14000k bulb it will give it a nice blue tint so supplemental lighting is not needed.

The tank was for sale on here not too long ago. The sides and back of it are blue acrylic so you can not see through them. Not sure if that matters or not. I am going to build a stand with a hood and removable side covers since you cant see through the sides. So far the ideas are just in my head so any suggestions with that would be helpful too.

Any suggestions??

 

[spooda420]

read about the exact animal you want to keep, then match the lights to the animal, but I would think 175w of mh would be enough, maybe enough to worry about the heat. do you have a chiller?

 

[dano83]

no chiller. dont know if it matters but i keep it pretty cool in my apartment, around 68.

 

[GPhiAce]

read about the exact animal you want to keep, then match the lights to the animal, but I would think 175w of mh would be enough, maybe enough to worry about the heat. do you have a chiller?

I agree.

Even though your apartment temperature is low, MHs get hot, but a good fan/cooling system may work. Also, a sump help keep the temperature down too. Are the dimensions 24Lx18Hx20W???

You could also do a good T5 setup if you are not set on MHs. I have seen clams do well under T5s, and have kept them under them too. Do you have a canopy or are you looking for a fixture? Also, the color/spectrum is a little more of a personal preference. I like the blue look, so I have 2x250w Radiums w/ 2x 110w Actinic VHO supplementation (pure actinic and actinic white).

Also, make sure you look into the equipment that you are going to buy. Try to get good equipment early. I have spent alot of $$$ upgrading my lights alone over the years. Started with PC (not a fan), then went to T5s (hated the ballast, but they were good bulbs), went to different MH and MH/T5 combos (tried several different bulbs, reflector, ballast combos. Now I am pretty happy on my current lighting setup. Good luck, and there are several people here to help you decide.

Also, look at the bulb choices for 175w MH. I am not that familiar with them, so I do not know if there are as many to choice from as 250w SE MH. I don't think you said if you wanted DE or SE either.

You may also want to do an internet search for Sanjay and read through his work on MHs. Alot of good data for ballasts, Bulbs, reflectors, and PAR.

 

[dano83]

the dimensions are 24"L x 18"W x 20"H. I do plan on running a sump so that should help with temps. The light will be going in a canopy but i plan on building it with the back open and a couple fans in it.

I found somebody that is going to sell me a blue wave 175 watt ballast with reflector and single ended socket for $50. Does that seem like a good deal?

 

[GPhiAce]

Sounds like a good deal to me. What reflector? Have fun with your build. Make sure to keep in mind how you are going to access your tank, clearnce of the lighting from the water, and access to the contents of the canopy.

 

[Hdhuntr01]

I would recommend you go with T5's. My clams are very happy with T5's. Also, I would recommend that you buy the best fixture you can based on your budget because if you don't go for quality, you will spend more money constantly changing lighting trying to get what you really desire. If possible, I would go with the ATI Powermodule...