Thoughts on lighting a 400g tank

[lolgranny]

Hey everyone,

moving into a new house so i need some opinions on a few things.

The tank is 96x30x30 which is being build. So while i think about the transfer im thinking lighting....

I currently have 4- 250w halides and 3 radion gen4s. I was planning on using them over the tank and supplimenting with T5 or some Reebrite HO strips down the road.

Questions i have-

Will this be enough light for a sps tank? (Im unsure without it setup and using a par meter, but figure it couldn't hurt to ask thoughts)

Would you go with the cozumel sun reflector or the lumebright large reflector? Im unsure of the spread of both of them as i couldnt run across it today.

Thanks all
Dave

 

[sirreal63]

Dave it should be enough as long as you use a good bulb. The LumenBrite is a spotlight, not going to cover that 30" unless you raise it way high. The Hamilton will do a lot better.

 

[ca1ore]

I'm having a 96x36x30 made for me (they told me 400; I think yours is more like a 350) and I'm planning to use a quartet of Radion Gen4 pro as my main lights and a bunch of kessil spots as supplements. I don't plan any corals within the front 8 or so inches, so strong light from back to front is not needed.

 

[olemiss reb]

Having a 96x30x30 made as well, was told it was 375. Using two 36" 8 bulb ATIs but am only going with softies and carpets directly under the lights. I like light fall off on the ends.

 

[ca1ore]

I guess it's how you calculate. My ordered tank is 448 if you use the outer dimensions, but it'll only be holding 400 gallons of water.

 

[lolgranny]

I'm having a 96x36x30 made for me (they told me 400; I think yours is more like a 350) and I'm planning to use a quartet of Radion Gen4 pro as my main lights and a bunch of kessil spots as supplements. I don't plan any corals within the front 8 or so inches, so strong light from back to front is not needed.

Yea, its 375g, but i figured exact gallons didnt matter as much as the dimensions

 

[lolgranny]

Dave it should be enough as long as you use a good bulb. The LumenBrite is a spotlight, not going to cover that 30" unless you raise it way high. The Hamilton will do a lot better.

This is what i wasnt sure about after looking at them, so thanks or clarifying.
4 hamiltons, blue wave ballasts powering radium bulbs. Then the 3 radion gen4's. Should be ok you think?

 

[ScroogeJones]

I have a suplemental question. Is that not over kill? I would assume The halides and gen4s should be more than enough without any extra lighting. Won't you get to a point where algae will be a very impossible thing to control?

 

[Orr2003]

I lit my last tank 400g 72x48x27 with four 400w radiums in Lumenbright large reflectors and loved it. No other supplemental lighting and color and growth was outstanding.

 

[sirreal63]

This is what i wasnt sure about after looking at them, so thanks or clarifying.
4 hamiltons, blue wave ballasts powering radium bulbs. Then the 3 radion gen4's. Should be ok you think?

I see no problem, with the large Hamiltons you won't need the Radions. If anything I would use T5's before adding in the Radions.

 

[ScroogeJones]

I see no problem, with the large Hamiltons you won't need the Radions. If anything I would use T5's before adding in the Radions.

Lights are always a huge debate so I'd never tell anyone that someone is wrong because it's always more than just the light when you're talking about growth. My personal opinion is newest LEDs Radion Gen4 and Kessil AP700 can get you better growth than T5 lights now. And just an overall prettier look.

 

[lolgranny]

I have a suplemental question. Is that not over kill? I would assume The halides and gen4s should be more than enough without any extra lighting. Won't you get to a point where algae will be a very impossible thing to control?

IT might be im not sure with it being 30" deep. This is something i dont have and could add if i need it down the road.

I lit my last tank 400g 72x48x27 with four 400w radiums in Lumenbright large reflectors and loved it. No other supplemental lighting and color and growth was outstanding.

I have 250w, thats why im not sure. I know its fine with 3 on my current 72x24x24 tank and i only have 2 6' VHOs as supplemental lighting.

I see no problem, with the large Hamiltons you won't need the Radions. If anything I would use T5's before adding in the Radions.

I have the radions and halides already, just need new reflectors as mine are beat. I can always dial down the radions alot. Thanks for the suggestions!!

Lights are always a huge debate so I'd never tell anyone that someone is wrong because it's always more than just the light when you're talking about growth. My personal opinion is newest LEDs Radion Gen4 and Kessil AP700 can get you better growth than T5 lights now. And just an overall prettier look.

Everythings always a debate on here, people are always opinionated. Ive been having sps tanks for 15years and i always look for some suggestions on what others would do. Its nice getting some other thoughts while im brainstorming myself. Head wants to explode sometimes haha.

 

[rtparty]

Lights are always a huge debate so I'd never tell anyone that someone is wrong because it's always more than just the light when you're talking about growth. My personal opinion is newest LEDs Radion Gen4 and Kessil AP700 can get you better growth than T5 lights now. And just an overall prettier look.

More than just light when talking about growth but you think LEDs out grow T5s? Kind of a contradiction IMO.

I've also yet to see a tank where dollar for dollar, LEDs beat out T5s or halide in terms of looks, color and overall health. The best LED lit tanks always have almost double the recommended amount of fixtures.

 

[Orr2003]

I have 250w, thats why im not sure. I know its fine with 3 on my current 72x24x24 tank and i only have 2 6' VHOs as supplemental lighting.

Here is what four 400w Radiums did in my 400g in just over a year. First pic was taken when I was using 10K ushios for the first 2 months then switched to radiums for about a year when the last two pics where taken.

 

[lolgranny]

More than just light when talking about growth but you think LEDs out grow T5s? Kind of a contradiction IMO.

I've also yet to see a tank where dollar for dollar, LEDs beat out T5s or halide in terms of looks, color and overall health. The best LED lit tanks always have almost double the recommended amount of fixtures.

Ill always be a halide man myself, have worked for me for the last 15years no reason to change. Only reason i have them is because i got a steal of a deal on 3 gen4 radions for my frag tanks. I agree, growth isnt the same, look is better. But lets not make this a debate about what grows better I was merely looking for thoughts about my route.

 

[lolgranny]

Here is what four 400w Radiums did in my 400g in just over a year. First pic was taken when I was using 10K ushios for the first 2 months then switched to radiums for about a year when the last two pics where taken.
]

Things definitely look happy! What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[rtparty]

Ill always be a halide man myself, have worked for me for the last 15years no reason to change. Only reason i have them is because i got a steal of a deal on 3 gen4 radions for my frag tanks. I agree, growth isnt the same, look is better. But lets not make this a debate about what grows better I was merely looking for thoughts about my route.

Oh I know. I just it find it funny when people contradict themselves in the same sentence.

I'd go with the halides on your setup. I have a Giesemann MH/T5 over my new tank. Can't wait to get back to something that just works. On, off, easy setup, no guesswork. Lighting will never be a question for me again.

Use the Radions for some sweet dusk/dawn setup. Nothing beats blue LED fluorescence. You'll have plenty of coverage with some good reflectors and your tank will love you for it!

 

[Orr2003]

Things definitely look happy! What are the dimensions of the tank?

It was 72x48x27.....so I would think four 400w radiums in a line on your 96x30x30 would cover perfect. With that said I just switched from Gen4 pros to all T5 for my new tank 60x36x16.

 

[lolgranny]

It was 72x48x27.....so I would think four 400w radiums in a line on your 96x30x30 would cover perfect. With that said I just switched from Gen4 pros to all T5 for my new tank 60x36x16.

Im going to give the 250w a try before i pull the trigger on new ballasts. Just spent too much $ on redoing the house, so tank funds arent there. haha

 

[lolgranny]

appreciate the help everyone