Lighting for a 36" tank?

ficklefins · Aug 9, 2006

I am going to upgrade from a 20g to a 40 or 50g breeder tank, but I've run across an issue. What type of lighting do I use for a 36 inch tank?

I have a 250DE MH light but that is a 24 inch reach at best! If anybody has experience with a 36" I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Luciano

ficklefins · Aug 9, 2006

I forgot to mention that I was thinking of adding 2 36" T5s. But I wasn't sure if I should add something in the 12k range or the actinic range.

Stixbaraca · Aug 9, 2006

I have an Oceanic that is 36", and I only use PC lights on it!!!

MarvinsReef · Aug 10, 2006

I vote for T-5's also... really depends on what you plan on keeping...

surfn · Aug 10, 2006

for a 40g or 50g breeder (I would do a 50g breeder), i would do 2x175w SE halides all the way if you can afford it.

you are right in that a single 250w, or even 400w even with a great reflector would cause shading issues in the corners and sides.

this is something to seriously consider if you want to do sps, as people running only 1 bulb directly over head have sps color up on one side, but then the other sides are completely brown b/c they arent getting light at various angles.

i originally was going to do 2x175w SE's on magnetic ballasts, along with a pair of actinic VHO's on a 50g breeder. thats PLENTY of light for just about anything you want.

if you go that route, i'd highly suggest getting a PFO parallel reflector. they are very nice and have special cut outs for VHO's/T5's.

JGoslee · Aug 10, 2006

I have 2-250watt de 14k's on my 58gal and I think it is just right. I tried only using 1 250 but it didnt look good. I also thought about using 1-250 and then using 2 39watt t5's. In the end I just really liked the look of having 2-250's over my tank. Its extremely bright and the corals love it. JMO

surfn · Aug 10, 2006

JGoslee said:
I have 2-250watt de 14k's on my 58gal and I think it is just right. I tried only using 1 250 but it didnt look good. I also thought about using 1-250 and then using 2 39watt t5's. In the end I just really liked the look of having 2-250's over my tank. Its extremely bright and the corals love it. JMO

for a 58g you can get away with having 2x250w DE's due to the height. for a 50g or 40g breeder with the same footprint, just smaller height using 2x250's would be way overkill, and a waist of electricity. the breeders are shallow enough where 2x175w at 14k or 20k would provide plenty of light even for most acros.

JGoslee · Aug 10, 2006

Yeah I didnt even think about the hieght. Good point.

ficklefins · Aug 10, 2006

Thanks for the ideas everybody. I got some thinking to do.

2 x 175w = 350w
1 x 250w + 2 x 40w = 330w

Now to go research cost.

surfn · Aug 10, 2006

yeah, cost is the only issue. but 2x175w bulbs offer a HUGE advantage over a single 250w bulb. big factor is getting more light hitting the corals from wider angles.

only draw back to that, is you will have to eat the cost of 2 replacement metal halide bulbs.

also, when you are researching, make sure you look for MAGNETIC SE 175w ballasts. electronic 175w ballasts are crap and dont provide enough punch for a 40g or 50g tank.

another deciding factor you may want to look into is the type of bulb. some of the best brand bulbs dont come in 175w (reason why i had to go to 250w to get a radium).