opinions for lighting on a 150 cube

[faze07hd]

I have a friend that found a steal on a 150 cube and hes starting some research on putting the lighting together. the dimensions are 36x36 and i think 24 tall.

He wants halide lighting with actinic supplement.

I suggested 1 400w halide in the middle with a descent reflector and 2 36" t5's on each side of the halide fixture. Like this.

IIXII

 

[faze07hd]

Im not too positive that the 400w halide is going to cover the whole 36" floor of the bed though. Any opinions would help.

 

[Tonynlo]

Most people don't stock corals from wall to wall, so you really do not need 36x36 of coverage. A 400W MH would be plenty.

 

[faze07hd]

great point... i didnt think of that!

 

[Willistein]

I would do a lumenarc or similar reflector with a 250watt radium MH. Do some searches for tanks lit with only radiums - no supplementation necessary! Run the radium with an M80 ballast.

 

[Haffs09]

As Willistein mentioned, a lumenarc III reflector should get the job done for you. I just so happen to have one for sale http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1963753

 

[Willistein]

Here's a good thread, kinda long, but if you look through it there are some amazing tanks.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1496177&highlight=radium+tank

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I would do a lumenarc or similar reflector with a 250watt radium MH. Do some searches for tanks lit with only radiums - no supplementation necessary! Run the radium with an M80 ballast.

for a 36 x 36 x 24" deep cube this is a good idea... but that's a 135 gallon aquarium. Are you sure it's 24" deep?

 

[teamdulski]

The marineland deep dimension tanks are all 30" deep, I assume that is the case here.

 

[faze07hd]

i wasnt sure of the depth... it probably is 30"

 

[faze07hd]

I would do a lumenarc or similar reflector with a 250watt radium MH. Do some searches for tanks lit with only radiums - no supplementation necessary! Run the radium with an M80 ballast.

So 250w would be enough for the tank?

 

[Willistein]

I don't think there is a coral you wouldn't be able to do. The 250 watt radiums on M80 ballasts run at 270 watts if I remember.

 

[faze07hd]

I don't think there is a coral you wouldn't be able to do. The 250 watt radiums on M80 ballasts run at 270 watts if I remember.

I was just thinking that there was a certain wattage per gallon that you needed to be at in order to keep certain corals. i could be wrong.

 

[jdoenumber2]

I have a two week old lumenbrite pendant and 250w radium i will sell ya. Possibly a m81 hqi ballast to properly drive the bulb for sale as well.

 

[RandyO]

The marineland deep dimension tanks are all 30" deep, I assume that is the case here.

Hey Adam,
They are actually all 28" tall. They did not want to make them 30" because they would not fit into some homes. The tanks have to be turned on their side to move through doorways and 30" + trim would cut it too close. It's also the reason the stands are only 28" tall.

faze07hd,
I have a 150 cube that I light with a single Lumen Brite reflector. I started the tank with a 400w halide and it was primarily sps, but it has evolved into a mixed reef now and I use a 250w Radium. The only other supplemental lighting is a few Power Brite LEDs mounted to the ceiling, beaming in at a 45 degree angle to hit just under the Hanging Lumen Brite.

The spread of the full Lumen Brite is perfect for that tank. I don't get much bleed on the sides. The light goes where it's needed and I'm still able to keep corals on the bottom ends on the tank.

 

[teamdulski]

Damn, I need some new literature from marineland then.

 

[faze07hd]

thats some great info randy... Ill be sure to pass that on to my buddy. I think hes convinced that a 250w radium is all he needs... I think hes more happy that it will save on his electric bill more than anything LOL

 

[parkavenuereef]

I have the marineland 150 Gallon cube... 36x36x27 I beleive.. the 400W is way to much for it.. 250 is appropriate and suppliment with t5 or vho to bring your WPG up... If your planning to make it an sps tank, 20K is best if your decied to go to 400W but I stongly recommend against it. If you don't buy the hood that goes along with it and your mounting a pendant then a 400W is good.. But mounted in the hood 250 Is plenty. Any questions PM.. Also if you havent bought this tank already I would recommend going a different route its really not worth the 2K you will spend on the setup.