Which lighting setup would you choose?

[Doobze]

Hey guys, my 58g (Oceanic dimensions 36x18x21) SPS tank is just in its beginning stages. Right now I have an Outer Orbit Pro fixture with 2x 150w and 4x 39w T5 and I'm not really happy with it. Since my tank is set up peninsula style against a window in an apartment, hanging pendants is not really an option for me, so I've decided to get one of the Hamilton metal halide hoods. My question to you guys is which set up would you go for? I can either do 2x 250w or 1x 400w. The 1x 400w set up would actually be cheaper, but I'm sort of wary about coverage, although it seems the Hamilton hoods really are one giant reflector.

Which one would you guys do? And any experience with these hoods you might relate to me would be fantastic as well.

 

[Toddrtrex]

What don't you like about the Outer Orbit? (( trying to save you the time and money of selling/getting a new fixture )) I have the 250 watt version over my 75 and very happy with it.

Anyways, over my 58 I have 2*250 + 2*96 PC, and couldn't imagine having a single 400 watter over it -- the center would be way too bright, and the sides too dark. It is a Hamilton hood and over 10 years old (( started off with 175's, but I upgraded the ballast about 4 years ago )).

 

[Doobze]

I'm ok with having a few darkened areas on the corners to help with light acclimating new corals and my aquascape is primariy centrally located and radially designed. Just how bad would it be? And do you think I'd be able to keep healthy SPS on the bottom of most of the tank?

Here's a pic of the set up:

As for the Outer Orbit Pro, I would probably be ok with it if it were the 250w version, but in its 150w form I feel it doesn't produce enough intensity in the 20k range to really get the color I want without flooding it with the T5's, which I'm just not a fan of. I want to have a lot of 20k intensity and the 150s just don't do it.

Which is why I'm hoping a 400w SE 20k bulb in a hamilton hood will be a feasible option.

 

[allsps40]

A single 250 in a lumamax reflector will cover that a 36 inch tank well. Or go with 400 watt.

 

[Doobze]

Except I really can't use hanging pendant style lights because of my tank location and setup (peninsula style against a window with no beams in position above it to hang). Which is why I'm curious in how a single 400w in Hamilton hood will do.

 

[Darkstar22]

Put the Lumenmax reflector in a hood. It's a great reflector! 250w should be good.

 

[Doobze]

I'm not much of a fan of completely close canopies, so here's a thought: what if I built a scaffolding that sits atop the aquarium from which I can hang a pendant? What do you guys think? Has anything like that been done before?

 

[Dustin1300]

Been done before many times...You'll find threads where they built into canopy with own lighting rack. I'd say go for the 250 Watt Pendant and supplement with some T5s. 400 Watt might be too powerful and will produce a lot of heat IMO.

 

[Doobze]

I'm looking, but I can't find anything exactly like it. I only want to build a simple light rack that sits atop the tank, I don't want a full canopy at all. If anybody knows of a DIY thread that does this I'd be grateful.

Or if you have any ideas about what materials to use to construct the scaffolding?

 

[Doobze]

Well I think I'm going to get a lumenmax elite and a galaxy 250/400 select-a-watt ballast and run it with a 400w radium, gonna get some eztube to construct a structure that sits on top of the tank that I'll hang the reflector from.
I'm going to throw up a thread for the tank pretty soon as well so I can get some more community input about my tank to steer it in the right direction.

Thoughts on my lighting direction?

 

[Darkstar22]

Lighting sounds great! I don't know anything about the Galaxy ballast though. I have a Lumatek Digital ballast that works great. Can't wait to see how you hang the pendant.

 

[LifeAquatic]

Do not put a 400wt light above a 21" tall tank. You will fry everything.

 

[bdbyace28]

For such a small size (length and depth) I would go with some LED's. You could get a nice setup for not that much $$. If thats out of range, then I would go with 1x400w. If you place a pendant HQI 12" above the tank, you should get plenty of light coverage. I can get those hamilton setups for about $330 brand new so its pretty affordable to go that route.

 

[allsps40]

Ok then before you go and buy another light and you like the bright blue look. Phoenix 14ks are very bright and blue. I had bleaching issue in my shallow 40 breeder with the Phoenix bulbs. I ran 2 150 watters at the time. Paired with the T5 actinics you will have nice bright deep blue. You can change the T5s out also to a different bulb to give you more of the look you want. If you are still not happy and your sps dont do as well under the 150s then go to 250s. But I think the 150 Phoenix will work nicely for you.

 

[Dustin1300]

I really agree that you should stay away from the 400 watt as that is overkill. If you are looking for some good blue I have 2X250 watt 14k phoenix bulbs, 2 X 54 watt purple plus ati T5s.

 

[Doobze]

I already run 2x phoenix 14ks and I'm just not that happy with the growth 150s give me and i really don't like running actinics. And as for the 400w being overkill, I'm going to get the galaxy select a watt ballast, so I'll probably actually start at 250w and then acclimate up to a 400 down the line.

 

[Cultivatedcoral]

I already run 2x phoenix 14ks and I'm just not that happy with the growth 150s give me and i really don't like running actinics. And as for the 400w being overkill, I'm going to get the galaxy select a watt ballast, so I'll probably actually start at 250w and then acclimate up to a 400 down the line.

Your growth problem may not be your 150's. You need proper calcium, Mg, Alk, Nitrates, Phosphates etc.

I've got 14x T-5's over a 180g that is 24" deep and I have a Steve Elias Stag that grew about 3/4" in a few weeks. Most of my SPS grow very well.

Depends on the coral and your water chemistry.

BTW, anything like 2x 250w or 1x 400w and you are going to need a chiller no doubt about it. I ran 2x 250w over a 75g and the tank would get up to 84 degress without a chiller and I was running air conditioning all day.

Good luck with your decision.

Nick

 

[Doobze]

Well i definitely wont be running 2x 250s and the pendant will be about 14-16" above the water to help mitigate heat issues. I'll get some more pics of my tank and the area I have to work with and sketchups of the scaffolding design I'm working out so you guys have a better idea of what the setup will be like.

And I also kind of have my heart set on running radiums which is one motivation driving this project.