starting new build 6x3x2

J

jvschlegel

New member
After my 120g crashed while on vacation, I am deciding on upgrading and moving my tank to my basement. Just a few questions on this build.

Lighting - Can I use 2 250 xm 10K with Luminarc reflectors for lighting and have SPS?

If the above is true, I might go 8ft or 9ft depending on a few things.

Everything else I am set on, and have searched on it, but the search engine won't let me in for the lighting question.

jon
 
standard rule 24" deep 250, 30" deep 400w - depending on other factors as well. you'll see 400'd in a 24 very often as well.
 
I know I am good with the height of the water, but what about spectrum spread? Will the lum 3's cover a 3ft section across the width of the tank?
 
lumenarcs are 19.5 wide, using 400's you could raise and get more spread. dont forget you want to light the corals NOT the water. what is you rock plans? look at japanese tanks where they 'spot' light the corals, only where is needed. IMO an 36 tank probably has rock 6 inches from either side so 24 lumenarc's would be fine, unless you wanted them hovering 5 inches off the water.
 
Thanks for mentioning about lighting the corals and not the water. I do plan to only have two pile of rocks for corals and leave plenty of swiming room for fish and coral grow out.

The tank will be viewable from 3 sides including the 2 6ft sections so a wall type of rock work will not be in my interest.
 
i think that is doable over the rock piles but make sure you light the rest of the tank with t5s or somthing or it will look funny
 
I have a 6x2x2 180 and two Reef Optix 2s (14"x10" reflectors) light the legnth of the tank fairly well. This is judging by eye only. Unfortunately my tank is an AGA, and the 2 foot interval braces cast ugly shadows when trying to use only 2 lights. Also, the shadowing throughout the tank is more pronounced than it would be with three lights. I would like to try two Lumenarc IIIs set close enough to get an even spread across the middle (30" apart?) before I give up and get a third light. If I didn't have the AGA braces I think this would be fine for me. I don't need SPS from end to end, and it would be nice to save on the electircity and heating of the tank.
 
I will use either my existing VHO's for extra lighting to cover the tank. My 120 was jam packed and don't want that look with the 280.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10039996#post10039996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by purebullet417
i think that is doable over the rock piles but make sure you light the rest of the tank with t5s or somthing or it will look funny
Click to expand...

not only doable but actually is proper. most reefers make this mistake and its a total waste of money. the japanese have this correct with spot lighting. what you do have to watch for is as you mentioned, dark spots and shadows, some people use track lighting to not only create the movement of the sun but to get coverage to shadowed areas.
 
On my 390 build, I'm using 3 x 250MH 10K and 4 x 160VHO actinic.
When you reduce the height of the water column by the depth of the sand bed and the inch or so of air at the top of the tank, 250MH will be just fine.
 
Lumenarc IIIs are 14.5 not 19.5 and if you look at the spread on Sanjays page for your depth they should be just fine....

6ft. is a long run for just 2 lights... will it work? Yes :)

BUT I would do this:

1 X 400 in the center running a 20K and then 1X 250 10K on either side of the 400 would solve both your space and color issues on a 6 ft. build
 
Jon I have to post a reply. My last name is Schlegel and I live in Maryland. I'm from Annapolis but now live in Salisbury. I have used 1 250x 20k sm over a 120 for a year or two now with t5. What you do depends on rock configuration and corals you want. If you want some soft corals you can put them in the darker spots.
 
Well.. Yes Lumenarcs in general come in many sizes. But he had listed above the Lumenarc 3s. I was simply refering to the Lumenarc III as he had mentioned... I did not know that the IIIs came in 19.5... BUT instead of INCORRECT I guess that make BOTH of us CORRECT. Good info I just mounted 4 of them that are 14.5s and they said nothing at all about being "Minis" BUT it does appear that BOTH sizes ARE available :) . I must apologize for my Ignorance.

Anyway they are absolutely Great
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lumenarc 3 mini stealth DE Details

For double ended bulbs with a sleek black outer shell.
Price: $139.95

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lumenarc A3 Mini Details

A scaled down version the L3
Aquarium Bulb: None 175W Standard (+$29.95) 175W XM 20k (+$59.95) 175W Ushio 10k (+$64.95) 250W Standard (+$39.95) 250W XM 20k (+$69.95) 250W Ushio 10k (+$79.95) 250W Ushio 20k (+$79.95)
175W-400W Ballasts: None 175W Electronic (+$129.95) 175W Electronic w/box (+$169.95) 175W MH Magnetic (+$69.95) 250W Electronic (+$139.95) 250W Electronic w/box (+$189.95) 250W Magnetic (+$69.95) 400W Electronic (+$199.95) 400W Electronic w/box (+$239.95) 400W Magnetic (+$79.95) 400W HPS Magnetic (+$89.95) 430W HPS Magnetic (+$99.95)
A/C Kit: None A/C Upgrade Kit (+$50.00)

Price: $129.95
 
Thanks all, and yes I plan on using the L3's that are 19.5 and not the mini's which are 14.5.

With construction underway in my basement I plan on getting my tank delivered around Nov. This will give me time to finish the room dividing tank stand, purchase needed equipment and allow me to blow money one the boat this summer.

rlxwcapt,

I am from the NJ/Philly / German town area where a good number of Schlegel's live but moved down here with employment. often get asked if my uncle is Justin Schlegel on 98 Rock.
 
On a 280 with a total volume of 380, can I use an ASM G4 or will in need the G5? Might need to make one because I would like the skimmer to be under the tank and the G5 I think is bigger then 32".
 
I have a comment about your stand.If you build it three feet tall and your tank is three feet tall how much head room will you have in your basement.how tall is your ceiling.Min is 7.5 ft and my 360 is 6 ft without the lighting so keep that in mind
 
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