Metal Halide For 30" Deep Tank

[A. grandis]

So you think the Lumen bright large reflector will do, 20x20?


I am planning on a diy light rack. So 3 x 400W SE MH with 14K bulb, 4 x Hydra 52 and 2 x Reef Bright Strips

Lumen Bright was designed to punch light down. It works better over tall narrow tanks. The large one would spread more and bo better over a 30" wide. If you have no choice you could get a large and place farther up to try to spread the light more until you find other better option, if you want. I like to spread the light as much as I can to avoid "hot spots". That is what produces uniform growth. Keep in mind that halides are halides and even with a "not so great option", or that "perfect reflector" on hand, you will be fine playing with the height. Some of the horticulture fixtures have a pretty decent spread and will distribute photons accordingly. You could also try to locate the corals according to the light, if that's the case. There were some awesome tanks under Lumen Brights in the past. Hard to go wrong with halides!!!!! I would get the 20"X20". No need hydras. You can get T5s on the sides, or the Reef Bright strips and an option for supplementation, if you want. I would get T5s. Using ATI Blue Plus will have one of the best spectrum presentation for supplementation... just me. T5s are limited to a 24" deep for optimal coverage though.

 

[oreo54]

So you think the Lumen bright large reflector will do, 20x20?


I am planning on a diy light rack. So 3 x 400W SE MH with 14K bulb, 4 x Hydra 52 and 2 x Reef Bright Strips

Have some historic data..

Product Review: Analyzing Reflectors: Lumenbrite III, Lumenmax Elite, Lumenmax, and Lumenarc III

Reflector design for reef aquariums has improved considerably allowing for more efficient use of light. With these reflectors we can now light reef aquarium with fewer lamps, get deeper light penetration over larger areas.

reefs.com

 

[djf91]

Looks like my post got deleted with the site malfunction.

30” is very deep. I would definitely go with the 400 watt metal halide.

My display measures 72”x54”x30” and I use 4x400 watt Radium metal halides with T5 and LED supplementation. 250 watt would simply not be enough. You cannot overdo metal halide but you can have too little.

With these deep tanks water clarity is also very important for light penetration. I use ozone, GAC, and filter socks to keep the water as clear as possible.

 

[Hydrahawk]

Lumen Bright was designed to punch light down. It works better over tall narrow tanks. The large one would spread more and bo better over a 30" wide. If you have no choice you could get a large and place farther up to try to spread the light more until you find other better option, if you want. I like to spread the light as much as I can to avoid "hot spots". That is what produces uniform growth. Keep in mind that halides are halides and even with a "not so great option", or that "perfect reflector" on hand, you will be fine playing with the height. Some of the horticulture fixtures have a pretty decent spread and will distribute photons accordingly. You could also try to locate the corals according to the light, if that's the case. There were some awesome tanks under Lumen Brights in the past. Hard to go wrong with halides!!!!! I would get the 20"X20". No need hydras. You can get T5s on the sides, or the Reef Bright strips and an option for supplementation, if you want. I would get T5s. Using ATI Blue Plus will have one of the best spectrum presentation for supplementation... just me. T5s are limited to a 24" deep for optimal coverage though.

I plan on only running the MH 6-7 hours a day, that's why I need the hydras for the remainder.

 

[A. grandis]

I plan on only running the MH 6-7 hours a day, that's why I need the hydras for the remainder.

My preference is to use T5s instead of any LED as a supplementation. Just me. Using halides for 7 hours a day will be enough to get the best out of the corals with amazing spectrum. Your corals will love you. Halides and T5s all the way for me.