Lighting help
- Thread starter GreenBay1
- Start date
hansnfrans
New member
Typically you want to have 1 MH light every 2 feet. 400w may be a little overkill for the depth of a 90gal IMO. 2 2x250 MH would probably be a better option
I don't think a 400 is going to work for you. It's too much light for a tank of that depth as hansnfrans said. You really would be better off with 2 250's. Not to mention if you mount a 400 above a 75 in the middle you'll probably end up melting the center brace as well as having dead spots to the right and left.
schmoeger6
Member
It would be tough to center the 400w due to the center brace. I am running 2x250w MH's and 4x65w actinic pc's on my 90. It may be cheaper initially, but in the long run you may not end up with the results you are looking for.
Edward Smith
Active member
Would two 150 watt HQI's do well for this tank as well?
aaronpentz
New member
Why not just go with one 250 and leave the second spot open for when you get some more money. Your not going to go from a empty tank to fully stocked faster then you could save up some money for the second light. Were you looking at DIY as it would only cost you around 100 bucks per side w/o the bulb.
hansnfrans
New member
I know that you said that you do not want to be limited (corals) by your lighting, but how do you envision your future setup? SPS dominated? Softy/ LPS dominated? I know people who successfully keep Acros under VHO's and PC lighting. I believe that this is the first question that needs to be addressed in order to point you in the right direction.
Rod Buehler
New member
I would definitely go with as much as possible now. Almost every one that I know of that has started with VHOs because they were "only doing softies" has now upgraded to halides. Besides, most softies can handle more light than some of the SPS we keep. They may not _need_ the light, but in most cases they will actualy prefer it more. I have seen SPS suffer from llighting upgrades, while softies thrive under the same upgrade in the same tank.
I have 1 softie tank that is only 19" deep with 400s a few inches above the water.. leathers, shrooms, colts, xenia,, all love the light.
1 lamp over the center will be difficult because of the center brace. If you dont mind the look of a lopsided tank, you could use one for now, and add a second later. I would go with either 400s or 250s on an HQI (m-80) ballasts
I have 1 softie tank that is only 19" deep with 400s a few inches above the water.. leathers, shrooms, colts, xenia,, all love the light.
1 lamp over the center will be difficult because of the center brace. If you dont mind the look of a lopsided tank, you could use one for now, and add a second later. I would go with either 400s or 250s on an HQI (m-80) ballasts
RobTop
New member
Are you doing DIY or complete set up? If DIY and you are decent at it search the auction sites for industrial lighting. The ballast used for a warehouse is the same we use. M-whatever. I got 3 175w warehouse lights for $45 shipped to my door. New reflectors and some DIY work I had a 3x175 setup for under $125.
You could easily get a 2x250w set up cheap.
You could easily get a 2x250w set up cheap.
lovereefs1
OT Engineer
I'd agree 100% with Rod. He steered me in the same direction years ago when I upgraded to MH's. I ran a 400w on my 58 gal. mixed reef and the colors and growth were awsome! I recently upgraded to a 90 gallon and run 2 - 400w bulbs in an enclosed canopy. In addition, I also have a 75 gal. with 1 - 400w in a suspended canopy. I will snap/post some pics later when the lights come on. IMO, with all the money you will eventually spend on your system, this would be a bad place to cut a corner and save a buck. Get 2 - 400 watters, you won't regret it!
