Can I get by with this setup?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by radgto, Jan 10, 2011.

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  1. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

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    Hi there, I'm setting up my new tank which will be liverock and fish for the first year then being converted to a reef and fish tank after it's established.

    It's 5'L x 18"w x 22" D which I think is 110 gallons, I don't have a lot of space in the hood but I do have enough room to put 4 retro 35" long PC fixtures @ 96watts each... I don't have room for MH because the hood only has 5" of clearance.

    I was wanting to install 150watt MH fixtures but I'm afraid of melting the top of my tank... I included pics of the hood and the top of the tank to see if anyone had alternative ideas because I really want to grow all types of coral.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    #1
    1 person likes this.

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  2. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Buy T5HO they are better than the MH you wanted to put in and far better than the PC lighting.
     
    2in10, Jan 10, 2011
    2in10, Jan 10, 2011
    #2
  3. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

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    I was looking at T5's but I think I could only fit 3 fixtures 48" long because the front of the hood tapers down to only 42" so I didn't even think I could get 400 watts in there.
     
    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    #3
  4. cbs3315

    cbs3315 Ritteri Anemone

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    i agree with 2in10 and i absolutely love the tank. gonna look great.
     
    cbs3315, Jan 10, 2011
    cbs3315, Jan 10, 2011
    #4
  5. SnooknRedz

    SnooknRedz Vlamingii Tang

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    You could go with as many 48" as you can, and retro fit a 30" or a 36" for the front.
     
    SnooknRedz, Jan 10, 2011
    SnooknRedz, Jan 10, 2011
    #5
  6. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    It looks like you could do 4x48" staggered in the back and 2x36" in the front. That will be more than enough. T5HO can easily penetrate to 24". You might have to be careful of photo inhibition with the set up I suggested. I know I did on my 75 with 6 bulbs.
     
    2in10, Jan 10, 2011
    2in10, Jan 10, 2011
    #6

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  7. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

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    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    #7
  8. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Definitely, you need to keep MH 12" above acrylic to keep from melting it. It will warp it heavily most likely.
     
    2in10, Jan 10, 2011
    2in10, Jan 10, 2011
    #8
  9. radgto

    radgto Astrea Snail

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    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    radgto, Jan 10, 2011
    #9
  10. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    gotta say it's debatable, but I support the T5HO choice for the circumstance.


    also may god help you if you have to get to the back of your tank lol.
     
    sostoudt, Jan 10, 2011
    sostoudt, Jan 10, 2011
    #10
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