Metal Halide Help!

[kenchen77]

Hi! Guys,

Need a little help on choosing my lighting for my new reef tank that is in the process of being built. I have decided to go with 2 150 Watts for my 110 gallon with two feet depth. I was planning on keeping LPS & SPS in the tank with a few reef safe fishes. As the tank is yet to be established and new I was wondering which kelvin rating would be best for growth to start off with.

Thanks in advance : )

 

[Whys]

That's a little less than 3 watts per gallon. You'll have to be very selective with the placement of your SPS to ensure they get enough light. 2x 250w might do better for you.

JM.02

 

[dave2184]

+1 With 24 inch height with higher light demanding animals I would look into a set of 250s.

 

[CSAreefer]

on a 24" tank id go 250s as well especially if you will be going alot of sps

 

[kenchen77]

Hi! Guys thanks for the advice I will go with 2 x 250 watts instead. However shall i go for the 10000K, 12000K, 14000K or 20000K? I want more growth initially as all the corals that i get will be frags.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Do you have any supplemental lighting? For me personally, I couldn't handle a 10,000K bulb without actinic supplemental lighting, would be too yellow.

So, really need to know if you are using just MH, if that is the case, I wouldn't go any lower then 12,000K, and even then not sure I would like the color.

 

[phenom5]

Agreed on the 250's. I also agree with Todd on the 10,000k. Technically, you'd probably get the best growth from 6700K bulbs, but it wouldn't look too nice. If you're going to just have the MH, I'd go with 12,000K-14,000K. Should still give you decent growth, while still giving you decent color.

As always, when it comes to SPS IMO, in order of importance...

1. Water Quality





















2 & 3. Flow & Lighting.

 

[ForSaleByAndy]

How long is your tank?
With the SPS, definitely going to want 250w.
I have 2x250w on my 48" tank.
If there's one thing I've learned here, it's to NOT skimp at all on lights.
When in doubt, go BIG

 

[CasinoHeat]

Not to take anything away from you kenchen but I have 2x250 15000k are 15000k not used very often

 

[kenchen77]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice, i am going to supplement the lighting with one actinic 55Watts and probably a 6500K T5 55watt with the 10000K lights.

 

[nflores]

If you get 250W now you won't have to worry about upgrade costs if you stick with the hobby. Also, 250W will have better resell ability if you ever ditch that setup.

 

[CSAreefer]

If you are going hqi i am having really good luck with the 250w pheonix 14k bulbs i dont even run any actinics and am seeing great growth

 

[Kakabub]

+1 on the Phoenix bulbs. Just enough blue to look good but without making everything look like a blacklight.

 

[Whys]

I have a phoenix bulb on stand by as I wait for my 20kK to reach its natural end. I can't wait to put it in. Nearly everyone seems to love these bulbs.