We need to know the type of MH lighting and how many we need for keeping SPS corals

[fishborn]

Hello everybody, my family and i are putting together a 240 reef tank and we figured on keeping SPS corals. Now one lfs told us that 250 watts MH bulbs and my family and i are in agreement that it seems a bit less then what we would be needing.

I myself figure we will be going with 400 watts and the question is: How many 400 watts bulbs would we be needing? Four or Five? Or can one make any suggestion on the type of mh bulbs if we were to only have the four on our tank.

Please do keep in mind that our main corals are too be SPS corals Thanks

jeff>

 

[Chrisrush]

What's the depth of the tank? Are you going to be running a sandbed? If so, what depth?

 

[Corn]

the depth of the tank I the question for me if the tank I 30 and deeper I would 400w SE and depending on how wide and long the tank is that is how many I would go and what type of reflector most will cover a 2x2 area. for me I have a 225 72L 24T 30w and I am going with 4x250w DE and 3x5 foot VHO's. so if you have a 72L and 30T I would go 4x400 and then some VHO's TMO.

 

[fishborn]

Thanks Chris, we will be having aragonite sand and I'm guessing it be about 3 to 3.5" deep and the tank is to be 8x2x2'
I been viewing over other threads in this forum and from the most of it appears that i might be needing 400 watts MH bulbs.

But yes, still there are many with much difference experiences in this area.

For right now, we have the tank in our home and lately we been hearing from many people conflicting data to what we would like to do.

For yes Corn, so far we figured nothing less then 4x 400 with cooling VHO if i said it correctly and what of Actinics? Or is that's the same meaning for VHO?

jeff>

 

[Chrisrush]

Stick with the 250w and some Lumenarc reflectors. If you want VHO actinics, go for it, but 400w MH are not necessary.

 

[Wiskey]

I would say 4, 250W in Lumanark reflectors, I would stick with 10 or 14K though, if you wanted to go with 20K I think that's where the 400W bulbs come in.

Whiskey

 

[fishborn]

I thank you both, but i think what would help much and save much time with more and more questions turning up on this is, we would like to be capable in maintaining any coral in which would demand the brightest of light. I just hope that i had put that correct so there be no misunderstandings. As well, we are also thinking of later on to keep a number of clams.
jeff>

 

[Frankysreef]

4 250's with T5 supplementation should be more than sufficient.

With the 400's you have more heat and electricity concerns...

F

 

[fishborn]

Frank, I very much agree with you on heating and electricity concerns for all too many others are saying and we here just want to do what be right then to learn a mistake had taking place. So yes, we will go with the 4x 250 or better yet as you said, "4 250's with T5 supplementation should be more than sufficient. And also Frank, we do have a 220 line in our home, so electricity i think isn't so much a problem

So yes, we will look to order the lights as in the way you mentioned here "4 250's with T5 supplementation". Just what would be the output of this lighting system? Also if you can in amps? I thank you very much "Frank"

 

[Frankysreef]

The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts

For example 12 watts/12 volts = 1 amp
Converting Amps to Watts

most icecap ballasts pull close to 2 amps each, so you are at 8 amps with just the 250's

6 t5's at 80 watts each, will pull
480 watt/120 volt= 4 amps

So 10 amps for just the lights....

In terms of spectrum, 6500 k daylight with 20k 250's should bring out some spectacular colors...

 

[Frankysreef]

on the assumption of 72 inch t5's...t5's are significantly brighter than vho's... and pretty reasonably priced... you probly only need 4 anyway...

I used 4 250 20k helios with supplemental sunlight and my colors are pretty nice. No zeo either.

 

[fishborn]

Many Thanks again Frank, your chart break down is very helpful
jeff>