MH on new tank..

[Raiderwig]

I'm posting this question here because I am new to MH's. I have never used MH before and have PC's currently but don't like them at all.. I hear nothing but Good thing's about MH's.

I am moving and downsizing my 65 gl tank to a 45 gl strectched HEX shaped tank. The HEX tank I had as a FW set-up along with my 65 gl SW reef tank set-up.

Anyways to the point....My HEX tank is 21" deep BUT once I put my substrate in it I expect from top to bottom the measurement will be around 18".
So would a 150 watt MH be strong enough to keep SPS and LPS within my tank?
I also have 85lbs of LR from my 65 gl tank I want to put in my HEX Tank so that will raise alot of my corals towards the light source as well. ( I don't think I can fit all the LR in the HEX since I still need water in the tank...LOL)
Thx..

 

[bheld]

I think you should have enough light. I THINK the general rule is 3 watts of light per gallon? 150w on a 46 gallon tank should be just fine for SPS, especially if the SPS is kept high in the tank, which is usually the case anyways.

 

[Aquarist007]

The 150 watt MH will be fine. The penetration max's out about 18 inches but with a mixed coral tank you want some areas of less intensity and flow for lps corals

Your sps corals will do well high on your reef. Also make sure that is the highest flow area of your tank.

If you are changing to MH now make sure you only run them for 4 hours so existing corals can acclimate.

 

[Raiderwig]

Thank You for your replies..
I just wanted to be sure since some people have mentioned I may want a 250 bulb but I was worried that may be way to much light and just scorch my corals for the size of my HEX.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14859469#post14859469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Raiderwig
Thank You for your replies..
I just wanted to be sure since some people have mentioned I may want a 250 bulb but I was worried that may be way to much light and just scorch my corals for the size of my HEX.

IMO 250 watt would do exactly that and you also could have a temperature problem.

 

[Aquarist007]

I would also consider some sort of setup that supplements the halide with attinics. Look for systems that include both

 

[Raiderwig]

K. sounds good...thx again.! I must say I am looking forward to the "shimmering" effect that I've never had but so many people have talked about!
The last thing I wanted to do was spend the money on MH's then find out it was too much light and it would be useless on my tank!
cheers!

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14859469#post14859469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Raiderwig
Thank You for your replies..
I just wanted to be sure since some people have mentioned I may want a 250 bulb but I was worried that may be way to much light and just scorch my corals for the size of my HEX.

It is going to be up to you, and what color temp bulb you use too. But, if you acclimate to the lights you won't scorch your corals.

A 150 will for sure work, but for a different point of view I have a 250 over my 33 cube -- 18" deep with sandbed. Both the high up and low down zoas are doing great. Same holds true for my LTA (( on/in the sandbed. ))

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

FWIW, acclimating by using a shorter photoperiod isn't the best solution - it's the peak intensity that matters, not the duration of a certain intensity. To acclimate, raise the hood up a few inches, or put (fiberglass) window screen material under the light to knock it down a bit for the first few days.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14860835#post14860835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by der_wille_zur_macht
FWIW, acclimating by using a shorter photoperiod isn't the best solution - it's the peak intensity that matters, not the duration of a certain intensity. To acclimate, raise the hood up a few inches, or put (fiberglass) window screen material under the light to knock it down a bit for the first few days.

good point I should have added that to my post---many reefers have reported success with both methods however