Lighting question

[hholland]

I am running a 75gal with 4 95watt VHO's. Currently I have a hammer, xenia and a few other corals. I have the opportunity to get 2 175 MH fixtures, would this give me more options for coral. I would like to add coral that have the vibrant colors that hammer coral do, but I am afraid to do that I would have to go to 400watt MH. Colors like in the Acropora. I believe this is a hard coral to keep? but something with those colors. Any input would much appreciated.

 

[ReefNeck]

The 175W MH's would benefit you because a 75G tank is not overly deep. 400's are not needed on a shallow tank. If it were a 90 or 120 I would consider 250 or 400 but with a 75G the 175W will do nicely for you. Any corals that demand seriously intense lighting can always be placed high in the tank.

 

[floridareefs]

^agree. I would try to fit in some type fo actinic supplementation if you can.

 

[hholland]

That was the info i needed. Thanks. I will use the two actinics that I have now. I am running 2 10k and 2 actinics.

 

[floridareefs]

perfect!

 

[PelagicMagic]

I am stepping down from three 400's to three 250's on my 210. The 400's were overkill. All my sps is high up anyways. All I got out of the 400's was lots of heat and a higher power bill.

 

[teach]

I have 400s on my 180 gallon and 250s on my 90 gallon. Corals sitting in the sand in the 180 have much more color than the same corals up as high as I can get them in the 90.

 

[floridareefs]

teach what kind of electric bill you getting there? Dare I ask?

 

[hholland]

Not sure about teach but I live in (Orange Park)Clay county. My last electric bill was 150. I am in a 1750sg ft house that is 2 yrs old. I'm running the a/c at 78, My tank is currently running 4 95watt VHO. I also have 2 bearded dragons that require heat lamps which does not help.

 

[hholland]

The 175W MH's would benefit you because a 75G tank is not overly deep. 400's are not needed on a shallow tank. If it were a 90 or 120 I would consider 250 or 400 but with a 75G the 175W will do nicely for you. Any corals that demand seriously intense lighting can always be placed high in the tank

Thanks for the help on this subject. That was the answer I was looking for.....just will have to watch the tank temps! Where is the best place to take the temp. top or bottom of the tank?

 

[PelagicMagic]

$ 313 for my house and tank plus water is 350. PFO told me that their 400w is 4amps and the 250s are 2.5 so 3 400's is 12 amps!
while the 3 250s are only 7.5 amps

 

[floridareefs]

thats some ging a ling a month there steve.

 

[sea devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7856591#post7856591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hholland
Thanks for the help on this subject. That was the answer I was looking for.....just will have to watch the tank temps! Where is the best place to take the temp. top or bottom of the tank?


I have my probe 8" below the surface

 

[teach]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7855779#post7855779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by floridareefs
teach what kind of electric bill you getting there? Dare I ask?

We had a 14% increase in kwh usage this July as compared to last July. It's tough to attribute all of that increase to the new reef tank since there are always other factors to consider.
We also had a 10% increase in May 2006 as compared to May 2005, but didn't have the 180 running in May. Go figure. I prefer to live in blissful ignorance and blame it on increased ac usage and the kids leaving the lights on.

This is definitely an expensive hobby! Good thing teachers get paid the big bucks:lol: