MH coverage area

[firewill65]

Can anyone please tell me the approx. coverage area a 250MH HQI puts out at an average distance of 6inches above the tank? My tank is 72x18x29. I'm thinking of going with 3, 250watt MH's combo'd with T5's. Could I use 2 175 watt MH's on each end and one 250 in the middle to save on electricity? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[AZDesertRat]

Depending on the reflector its about 2'x2' per bulb.

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8947987#post8947987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
Depending on the reflector its about 2'x2' per bulb.

ditto

 

[firewill65]

Thanks guys...that helps alot

 

[asmodeus]

250's I have the aqua medic over a65 gal and i have lots of light its going to depend on the height that you have your lights like alredy stated. Heck i ran 2 400's over my old 170 that was 5 feet long. Im really happy with the Hqi on the tank I have the louvers that hang on the side to help redirect the light into the tank...

 

[46bfinGA]

would a 250 watt HQI fixture with 2-24" T5 actinics be ok over a 36"x36" cube?

 

[firewill65]

is it safe to say the higher the light is mounted over the tank, the larger the footprint of light? I realize it would be less intense the higher it is mounted.

 

[aclos3]

175s on the end and a 250 in the center should work just fine for coverage, but you may have a slightly tougher time getting colors to match exactly... if you are worried about that.

 

[firewill65]

never thought about that...will it make a big difference?

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8949013#post8949013 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 46bfinGA
would a 250 watt HQI fixture with 2-24" T5 actinics be ok over a 36"x36" cube?

any opinions on this?

 

[sabodish]

im running 2x400W DE bulbs on my 36x36x30 cube and i think its perfect...lots of light in the middle and the edges are a little darker for lower corals. these are icecap horizontal pendandts. heres a pic. the tank is still a little cloudy in these pics as it was the day after i added the rock. the light spread is a little better now.

front view

side view