Single halide aquariums

[the_anti_honda]

Great color for just a 10k!

 

[Aaron M.]

I don't really know, I got it out of a friends garage and I remember it saying xm 10K but now its worn off. It's probably something else since xm 10k's aren't that blue.

 

[the_anti_honda]

Do you run a chiller with an open top like that?

 

[Robert Patterso]

No chiller here, just the two 120mm fans. They come on with the light. Right now tank runs between 77.6 and 79. Love the open top, much easier access.

 

[NewSchool04]

Here is my 30 cube, only 20" but I figured b/c it was Christmas Eve, I could get a pass!!

250MH w/ HQI ballast and 12K Reeflux bulb:

 

[RokleM]

I'm debating a switch to MH on my 58 since my new 180 w/ halides came online. It's mostly softies/LPS, but I might put a few SPS up top.

Looks like a single 250 or 400 is the preference on a 36". Looks like the Lumanarc has a pretty good spread.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8732573#post8732573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
Any 6ft'rs with only 2 halides?

Mine is, but I won't sidetrack the thread

 

[the_anti_honda]

Feel free to post unconventional lighting regardless of tank size in the thread. I'm sure no one will mind seeing a 6ft tank with two halides.

I started this thread to get a feel for who was working with less then the recommended amount of lighting and to show people it can be done. Its just easier to see when one halide is implicated.

NewSchool04 -

The tank is looking pretty good.

 

[kpk]

Yep I would like to see a 6ft with dual halides or even a light rail!!!

 

[scaryperson27]

You do know that halides only cover a 2x2 foot area unless you raise them to an unbearable hight, right? Even if you want to run two, you would need more wattage to do so. The light seep would also be unbearable.

 

[Kinetic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8825383#post8825383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scaryperson27
You do know that halides only cover a 2x2 foot area unless you raise them to an unbearable hight, right? Even if you want to run two, you would need more wattage to do so. The light seep would also be unbearable.

the 2x2 is a rule of thumb. usually you can't count on your single halide outside of this area to light high light corals like SPS.

If you have a 3 foot tank, anything outside the 2 foot region inside shouldn't be high light SPS. but it can take some lower light sps such as montis, or LPS / Softies

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

and if you look at many test that have been done with these reflectors(Lumenarc and LumenMax)....they cover 30" quite well for almost anything andwith the sides you put monti's and lps if you have them

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8702151#post8702151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rxx2
Here's a few shots of my 50 gallon. Single 400 watt Radium with 2 T5 UVL super actinics. I'm working on the aptasia problem with some berghias. Does anyone know if a meanurus wrasse will eat these?

nice

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8825383#post8825383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scaryperson27
You do know that halides only cover a 2x2 foot area unless you raise them to an unbearable hight, right? Even if you want to run two, you would need more wattage to do so. The light seep would also be unbearable.

Not exactly correct. Pendents like the LumenMax2 cover a 3x3 area at a pretty reasonable range (9-11" I believe it was, but I would have to look it up again). There is a decent amount of light in the room however.

Since people are interested, 180gallon (6x2x2) BlueWave7, Dual 400w HQI Radium's at 14" above the tank, 15" above the water. It's been running for about 6 months, connected to my 58/sump which has been online over a year. I'm slowly lowering the lights, as I was bleaching corals left and right even when placed down in the sand towards the middle.

170 PAR at one of the darkest spots, almost 750ish under the water at that height.

 

[the_anti_honda]

Beautiful!

I think having lighting setup like that allows you to keep a wide range of animals happy. Plus the shadows add some depth to the aquarium.

 

[the_anti_honda]

Oh have you thought about scraping the coraline off the back? I think it would add that much more to your aquarium. The lines of the rock work and corals would stand out.

 

[lildraken]

perhaps a stupid question... I like the pendent setups with no canopy, but there isn't a place for blue actinics. don't you need actinics to make the corals fluoresce, or do the MH or XM lights make them do that anyway? I realize the corals get enough light from daylight lamps but what's the point of having fluorescent animals if you never see the colors?
also my roomies like the room dark when they're watching TV. my current tank has a canopy and it doesn't bother them. I'm wondering if a 400W MH pendent would really bother anyone in a dark room. any opinons would greatly be appreciated.

 

[the_anti_honda]

Pendents most likely will not be there cup of tea. And there are alot of light fixtures that combine fluorescent lamps with MH like Aquamedic, Giesmann, Maristar and on and on.. And lastly there are a lot of aquariums that produce great color with halide only. It depends on the bulb you choose. So research what bulb you need for the look you prefer...

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8827645#post8827645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the_anti_honda
Oh have you thought about scraping the coraline off the back? I think it would add that much more to your aquarium. The lines of the rock work and corals would stand out.

With as fast as it grows, not really. I have hard enough time keeping it off the front and sides. The tank is young, so once the corals really start to grow out you won't notice it anyway.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8827787#post8827787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lildraken
perhaps a stupid question... I like the pendent setups with no canopy, but there isn't a place for blue actinics. don't you need actinics to make the corals fluoresce, or do the MH or XM lights make them do that anyway? I realize the corals get enough light from daylight lamps but what's the point of having fluorescent animals if you never see the colors?
also my roomies like the room dark when they're watching TV. my current tank has a canopy and it doesn't bother them. I'm wondering if a 400W MH pendent would really bother anyone in a dark room. any opinons would greatly be appreciated.

Yes and no. There are places to mount actinics, but they're not needed if you use the right bulb combo. For example, I have actinics, but just for dusk/dawn. I do it in order to not "spook" the fish from going from ultra bright to near pitch black. I can turn them off, and the Radium's on HQI ballast still make my colors glow.

Still have some wire cleanup to do, and removing the backup "chains" in case of pulley failure.

 

[kpk]

Eric would you recommend the Lumen Max 2's? I am planning a 6ft'r and want only 2 lights.

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8852083#post8852083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
Eric would you recommend the Lumen Max 2's? I am planning a 6ft'r and want only 2 lights.

Love mine, especially with the HQI/Radium combo.