Quandary: MH lighting an AGA 125 with only one center brace...

[Blorton]

Any suggestions on the above? I picked up a pair of 250w HQI pendants, but know that I ideally need three to cover the tank. I'm not crazy about hacking out the center brace and replacing it with something clear.

Since I'm technically throwing more light down than the tank needs, could I get away with raising the lights some to get better spread - or is that just going to kill the power levels?

Truth is, the tank hasn't even been unwrapped yet. Maybe I should just sell it and get the appropriate one? (Or something bigger! )

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Mr James]

I never saw a reason to light all the way to the ends of the tank. I ran a pair of 250w MH's over a 6 foot tank for a little while, then upgraded to a wider tank than the 18"w one I had. IF you have the opprtunity to get your hands on an AGA120 (48"L x 24"W x 24"T), do it!! The 24" front to back makes a big defference. Also, with the 48"L, two lights will work great.

 

[Blown 346]

With your 6 foot 125, there will be a shadow but not anything that will look horrible. Even with the center brace there you will have a shadow but you would be amazed at how light finds its way to the bottom.

By having the lights 12 inches above the water it wil give you a little bit more of a light spread. But halides in themselves should be 1 for every two feet, even with that the light form the other halides will overlap each other and it will help with thte center brace shadow.

 

[Blorton]

Thanks a bunch for all the feedback. I'll start out by trying them closer in to the middle and raised up. I'd considered going with a pair of 36" t5 fixtures, but dang that's a pile of dough.

Cheers!
Dan