minimum light?

teddyzaper

teddyzaper

New member
hi,

im in the process of setting up a 50 gallon tank and im curious to know the minimum lighting to grow sps. i want birdsnest, montis, and acropca.

my options are:
500 watts MH (2x 250 watts MH pendants)
250 watts MH pendant (i dont think this is long enough)
150 watts T-5's

my mom doesnt want to spend big money on the electricity, so she likes the 150 watts, i like the 500 watts, and im trying to compromise with the 250 watts. whats the absolute minimum i could have in this tank?

if its the 500 watt ill probably just end up with a 100 wattT-5 and keep mushrroms, and in my 7.5 with 70 watts of MH i can have my sps.

please be honest, i dont want to have to put me corals right next to the light.


i already own the 500 wattts (well its really my dads) so im trying to convince her.

also, im equaly happy with mushrooms because i can grow sps in my other tank so no worries to disapoint me!

AKA be harsh:uzi::eek2:
 
If you are worried about electricity costs, I would try a couple of 150 watt DE halides. As long as you don't keep sps on the bottom of your tank, there will be plenty of light for them. That said, I would go for the 250 watters if you are allowed to. They will provide the best coverage and intensity for sps growth.
 
I was going to say try to get away with 2x150 MHs if you can. If not you can run the 250x2 for a shorter photo period.

I run 2x250 HMs 5 hrs a day and 24RB LEDs for 9hrs. Everything is doing fine.
 
I'd do 2 150 watts. With high-end enough bulbs and quality relectors you could get away with sps on the bottom and certainly everyowhere higher. Good luck with your choice!
 
ok, well from your guyses recomendations, im looking for either 2 70 watt pendants or a T-5 200 watt, or a 250 watt T-5. can anyone recomend one for under $200? around 150 is perfect for me.
 
teddyzaper said:
ok, well from your guyses recomendations, im looking for either 2 70 watt pendants or a T-5 200 watt, or a 250 watt T-5. can anyone recomend one for under $200? around 150 is perfect for me.
Click to expand...

T5 what? Everyone was suggesting Metal Halides. . . I would definitely not go with the 70W, whatever you decide. I run a 150W MH (+130W PC actinics) on my 16" deep 30 gallon and it works just fine for keeping SPS, I keep all the species you mentioned. The electric cost wasn't too noticeable either, maybe $10 more per month actually.
 
the 500 watts would cost almost as much because i would have to buy bulbs. i could run 150 + PC but the 2 fixtures would be expenzive, i have found some cheaper ones though so i might look at that. i though everyone was recomending T-5, but if not ill stick with MH
 
some ones ive found:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-30in-Metal-Halide-with-Power-Compact-p/54202.htm



this is the idea i like. a 150 watt MH with moon lights, and a secondary PC or T-5 to suplement more colors:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-24in-Metal-Halide-System-Basic-p/54222.htm

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-2x65W-Power-Compact-Light-Fixture-p/51105.htm

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-2x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-p/52103.htm

i really like the T-5s and 150 watt MH. the systems cost a bit less, but its just PC instead of T-5 and it will only be around 20 bucks more + they dont reach to the ends of the tank. so 30" MH with 48" t-5= 358 watts and about $160...

sound good?
 
im not rich, im only 14. cant go over $200 for the light..... i wish i could just "call it a day" but my day would last for a really long time to work it off.
 
I'd go 2 x 150 unless you want to grow SPS at the bottom. Plus, you don't have to deal with as much heat.

My 55g with 2 x 150:
55g_PAR.jpg
 
teddyzaper said:
im not rich, im only 14. cant go over $200 for the light..... i wish i could just "call it a day" but my day would last for a really long time to work it off.
Click to expand...

Only $200 to spend? save your money and use that to buy some quality bulbs for your 250w setup, bulbs alone will be $50-80ea.
 
I got my 2 x 150W MH + 2 x 130 W PC fixture for $215 slightly used shipped. I'm sure if you shop around you can get a good deal. Otherwise, yeah...good bulbs are probably better than trying to buy a new fixture to save power.
 
teddyzaper said:
some ones ive found:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-30in-Metal-Halide-with-Power-Compact-p/54202.htm



this is the idea i like. a 150 watt MH with moon lights, and a secondary PC or T-5 to suplement more colors:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-24in-Metal-Halide-System-Basic-p/54222.htm

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-2x65W-Power-Compact-Light-Fixture-p/51105.htm

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-2x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-p/52103.htm

i really like the T-5s and 150 watt MH. the systems cost a bit less, but its just PC instead of T-5 and it will only be around 20 bucks more + they dont reach to the ends of the tank. so 30" MH with 48" t-5= 358 watts and about $160...

sound good?
Click to expand...

Don't go with the Odyssea fixtures. I ran them in the past when I was short on money, but was never happy with them. I never got good growth, and the ballasts and bulbs that come with the fixtures are not very good. If you get an Odyssea fixture, you will need to get new bulbs right away if you want good sps growth and color.

I agree with scrapz. I would use your money to buy some good bulbs for the 250 watt halides you already have. Are your pendants SE or DE?
 
idk the difference between SE and DE. my parents really dont like the idea of 500 watts, so i can only go up to 300 max. kinda sucks being just a kid lol. i most likely wont start with sps and with my design that i have in mind all the SPS will be near the top. would oddesys be fine for a while until i start up SPS? i would really like to get them because they are such a deal but if you guys say no then i wont, but i CANT spend over $200 and i dont even have that much yet and i still need everything but the stand and the tank... EVERYTHING
 
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