Size Matters

[Centurio]

I am looking into a 30 X 30 X 20 tank. It will be SPS dominate and I "think" I have decided on T5 lighting for this one. However, then I realized that they come in 24" or 36" lengths. Either leaving 3" on each side without direct over head light or jutting past the edges.

Thoughts?

 

[bshow24]

I'm not genius when it comes to T5s, but I think if you mount them high enough, 24 inch lights will cover the area. Of course, you'll need a 6-8 bulb fixture, but the shorter length shouldn't cause a problem. Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.

 

[jda]

That tank is screaming 250 or 400W MH on a large pendant. MH is the best way to light large areas like 30x30. Figure the wattage on whatever you were going to use on T5 and just change one bulb a year instead of six or eight. Your coral don't need any dusk/dawn, but if you do, then bolt some reefbrites on the pendant.

 

[Centurio]

That tank is screaming 250 or 400W MH on a large pendant. MH is the best way to light large areas like 30x30. Figure the wattage on whatever you were going to use on T5 and just change one bulb a year instead of six or eight. Your coral don't need any dusk/dawn, but if you do, then bolt some reefbrites on the pendant.

This tank will be in my living room. Do you have specific suggestions for a MH fixture that would work and looks good?

 

[Dragon1979]

What is better 250w or 400w I know 400w is more power but is it better

 

[Dragon1979]

I should said the different not better

 

[Centurio]

Heh -- and is a 15" what I'm looking for? And what's the difference in 10K, 14K and 20k relevant to my dimensions and type of tank?

 

[bshow24]

Since you're doing SPS, I would say 400 watt would be the best option. The difference between watts is how "strong" the light is in the tank. SPS need high PAR values, 400 watts present higher PAR than 250 watt (I'm not getting technical since it's almost the weekend and I'm brain dead, so that's a general statement.)

Im sure jda has a solid MH fixture, but one thing to remember is they do get very hot, but they are one of the most tried and true ways of keeping SPS. In regards to 10k 14k or 20k, this is all about the color of lighting. Most people run 14k, and if you want some extra blue in there you can throw in some reefbrites as mentioned above.

 

[Centurio]

And will a 15" pendant such as the Reefbrite hybrid combo cover a 30" X 30" tank.

 

[Lsufan]

I think it will cover it fine. U really don't have a choice because u won't be able to fit 2 of the mh because it is 36" long & u don't want the light to go over the edges of the tank. If u decide on that fixture I would lean towards a 14k mh bulb because the reefbrights would add more blue to the fixture.

I don't want to speak for jda, but I think why he is saying a mh would be perfect is because the 30" depth (front to back) of the tank. I haven't seen that fixture in person so I can't really say, but I still like a T-5 mh combo. If u think heat will be a concern with the mh then the reefbright mh combo may be a better option depending on if u go with the 250 or 400 watt mh. A t-5 mh combo light u can get a 250 watt mh because u would have 156 watt of T-5's.

 

[sirreal63]

With it being only 20" tall I don't think you need the 400 watt bulb. I lit my 40x40x17 with a pair of 150's and then a single 250. The key is always the reflector first, bulb and ballast second. If you use a really low par bulb you may need the 400 but a single 250 watt Radium and a M80 ballast you will have more than enough light.

 

[sirreal63]

To dispel some myths, wattage does not mean more Par, a poorly setup 400 can deliver less Par than a very well set up 150 watt bulb. In general looking at the same bulb with the correct ballast the higher wattage usually means more Par, but it is incorrect to assume because you have a 400 watt bulb it will put out more Par than a lower wattage bulb.