lighting question

[jcjstl]

I bought a 40 extended hex from the good ole petco sale .. my wife is really wanting a clown/anemone tank... what is the absolute minimum lighting ( buy minimum yes I mean cheapest) that I could get away with for the time being... I was thinking of the diy mh I seen on nano reef ( http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=91165&hl=pendant ) but not sure if it would be powerful enough. Thanks for your input...

 

[latazyo]

how tall is the tank?

a 250 might be ok

 

[jcjstl]

I think its 24 tall but ill have to double check i dont have any pics of it yet but its just like this one ... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=571906

 

[dela]

Cheap DIY would be like this..

500W quartz floodlight. Replace the lamp with a 150W DE MH. Install remote electronic ballast under the tank's stand.

I built both my 250W units by gutting the quartz fixtures, installing new sockets, and replacing the reflector. 150W should be easier since there is a chance you don't have to replace the sockets.

 

[jcjstl]

so pretty much the same thing as the 70w diy just with the 150 instead?

 

[Im Lon 2]

Can you make those DIY projects with SE bulbs instead of the DE?

 

[jcjstl]

im not sure ... never built one ...

 

[latazyo]

I'd still hit a 250

 

[jcjstl]

I am looking at the cheapest way to get a 250 put together now... doesnt really look like a huge price difference in the stuff

 

[superfirefly]

When I switched to MH I thought I would put a 175 over my 30G. After talking to a few people here I decided to try the 250W over the 175. I like the look of the 14K bulbs and I think with a 175 and a 14K bulb the tank would be much to dark for my liking. I would highly recommend a 250 especially on a tank that deep. Mine is only 16" deep.

 

[superfirefly]

I am sure someone around here has a used setup they are willing to part with.

BTW is that tank of yours drillable? If so which store did you get it?

 

[jcjstl]

Im waiting on a response from oceanic to tell me abotu it being drillable so far from what i can tell ... sides are bottom isnt ... i got it at petco .. but as far as i know i got the last one in st. louis that was priced at the 1 dollar a gallon price ( i checked all of them .. i wanted two of them ..) the store at cave springs and the store in north county has some but they will not sell them at the dollar a gallon price like i got... its wierd some rang up that way and some didnt ...

 

[Lost His Marbles Name]

I would denfinately go with the 250W. Ask Nook he has a 250W over his 29 and it lokks really good. Seen it my self. I wired it my self.

 

[capncapo]

The lighting necessary also depends on where in the tank the anemone would decide to settle. It will move around until it finds a place it wants to stay. That could be on the bottom or it could be within inches of the top of the tank.

 

[dela]

I'll try and take some pics of my fixtures. I think they turned out pretty nice. If you can get a deal on the ballast (like someone selling one for around $75-$100) then it's a good way to save a little cash.

 

[vishboy]

Got a 250 watt Hamilton Pendant for sale.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=916256