Will I be able to grow SPS through this?

[xtrstangx]

Looking for opinions if I'll be able to keep SPS under this. The center brace on my tank is like 20" and I'm putting a 250w Reeflux 10K (on a Reef Fanatic e-ballast, makes the highest PPFD (96?)) in a ReefOptix 1 reflector. The glass is a little less than 1/2".

Trying to decide if it'd be worth it to cut out that center, put a 3" eurobrace on the tank, and 2" braces every 2'. That would void the warranty though..

Edit- The bulb will be 8" off the surface of the water.

 

[raddogz]

Is this on a 180g or on the 40g?

If this is not a filled tank, I can't see why you can't take out the centerbrace, and replace with eurobracing.

 

[Chrisrush]

Take the center brace out. I have one that is 12" wide on my 120 and I curse it everyday. It hinders everything that I do.

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7895523#post7895523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raddogz
Is this on a 180g or on the 40g?

If this is not a filled tank, I can't see why you can't take out the centerbrace, and replace with eurobracing.

180g and not filled.

If I replace it with the eurobracing, I void the warranty of the tank and possibly risk tank failure. The eurobracing would be easier though to work in.

More opinions please.

 

[raddogz]

There was someone who did this on a 120g All-Glass tank.

Good luck!

 

[Corn]

i would not cut out the center brace in that big if a tank. for the lighting you will be able to do sps but only right under the MH the light will not get to them on the sides of the tank. if you can get another 250 that will be your best bet. Hamilton is running a sale for summer.

 

[xtrstangx]

bump

 

[Gundo5000]

Dude, 250 watts over a 180 is not enough for many sps. Montiporas and digitatas may be fine but with onlt 250 watts over a 180, your looking at about 1 1/2 watts per gallon. You should atleast have 4 or 5 wpg to grow most acros and light demanding sps and clams.

Are you only stacking rock and corals in the middle of the tank, thus under direct lighting?

 

[Gundo5000]

Minimal growth will occur with that low of wattage.

 

[jjackson]

I have 3 250W MH and 4- 4 foot vho... you really do need more than one but the WPG rule you might as well throw out the window... there are many many more factors

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7905539#post7905539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jjackson
I have 3 250W MH and 4- 4 foot vho... you really do need more than one but the WPG rule you might as well throw out the window... there are many many more factors

That is what I am doing.

3x250w MH (the setup has high PAR, not a XM 10K, but its pretty high) and 4 4' VHO

jjackson, do you have a pic of how you mounted your VHO?

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7905502#post7905502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by algundo
Dude, 250 watts over a 180 is not enough for many sps. Montiporas and digitatas may be fine but with onlt 250 watts over a 180, your looking at about 1 1/2 watts per gallon.

Thats silly. He'll be able to grow whatever the heck he wants, just like I can under a 250. He'll just only be able to grow it in about a 24"x24" area under the lamp.

We REALLY need to get away from this watts per gallon thing.

I didnt see if it was SE, or De, but a pair of lumenarcs with 250s would cover that fine.

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7907096#post7907096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Thats silly. He'll be able to grow whatever the heck he wants, just like I can under a 250. He'll just only be able to grow it in about a 24"x24" area under the lamp.

We REALLY need to get away from this watts per gallon thing.

I didnt see if it was SE, or De, but a pair of lumenarcs with 250s would cover that fine.

Yes it is SE and I went with RO1 reflectors for their performance, size, and cost. I wish I could've done Lumenarcs but I found these reflectors at $50 slightly used.

 

[ShiftNation]

I have seen ppl cut out the brace and leave like 2 inches on each side and run a piece of acrylic across it and attach on each side with nylon bolts so you can get the strength plus light penetration .

 

[jjackson]

this is an older picture before my 3rd halide went in

 

[Frankysreef]

Leave the brace in, you are just asking for trouble. Just keep the area with the brace in clean... You can also keep two banks of lights not over the brace, and the brace is cool to keep stuff on.

 

[Frankysreef]

PS I am growing many corals under my center brace, they arent as colorful, but there is no light there either....

 

[xtrstangx]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Any more opinions?

 

[jjackson]

the corals directly under my center brace are the ones that have the most color in my tank....

 

[prodman]

I cant tell you it safe. But in my 120 I cut out the center brace and made a metal frame out of angle iron to act as euro bracing. I have had no problems in a year or so and its been through at least one earthquake.