MH Qs

I have a 75g 48 inches wide, should I get a 48 inch MH all in one light (MH+PC) or something like a 36 inch because a with 48 inch, a lot of light will be going to the left and right of the tank and not in the tank, thats wasted light+watts per gallon.

 

what is the measurement of your tank 48"wide? do u mean 48" long if the tank is 48" long getting a 48" fixture is a good match. the MH light bulbs on a 48"fixture is usually located toward the middle not on the ends of the fixture.
have u look at any picture of the light u want to get?

 

Go with the length of your tank. Your tank is a 48" long tank so go with the 48" long light fixture. You aren't losing much if any light off the sides of your tank as metal halide bulbs are a point source light meaning they are a more compact light which covers a smaller area than regular conventional bulbs!

 

I've looked at several and looked at other peoples tanks with MH lights.
Here are some lights I am interested in....
SunPod HQI 48 inch
Aqualight Advanced Series HQI Metal Halide Fixture x2
Viper HQI Clamp Lamp x2
Ocean Light HQI Metal Halide Pendant Lights x2
Aqualight Pro HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Light Fixture

all of them are around $400 and up range.

A LFS I use to work at, in all of the display tanks are 260w PC lights, they are all 75g 48inches LONG. Everything does great in them, I don't really see a need for a MH because I won't be having sps corals and maybe, just maybe a couple of lps corals, but those can be placed near the top. But when you do the math on it, watts per gallon, its on the low side something like 3.4 watts per gallon. Idealy anywhere between 3-8watts per gallon is desired. But since I will not be having sps corals, I should be fine on the lower end of that, correct?

 

How about a DIY hood and lighting? That way you could do exactly what you are wanting. DIY kits are much cheaper than too. There are several places that sell good DIY MH kits. Hellolights.com is one. Most of the online reef supply dealers sell them.

 

if you are looking into fluorescent lighting...i'd say go t-5. if down the road you change your mind about what types of corals to keep....you'll be set for whatever...

Sunlight Tek Light T5 Hood - 48" x 6 bulb: Premium Aquatics

 

hi geekdafied , you can find nice quality retrokits at great prives at this site:
Ocean Encounter: Specials
and Vince is a prince to deal with- I hope this helps.

 

Thats where I get lost... I am a do it myselfer, but I have no clue when it comes to MH lights. I'd rather buy something prebuilt, then risk burning the house, haha.

All I know is, water+electricity+me=BAD

I can easily build a hood, if I ever got around to it.

As far as the DIY kits, I don't know what to mix and match to get the combo for the $$$ without risking burnin the house down as I stated earlier.

 

Now thats something that is doable, it's all there, just have to assemble it. Thanks

 

Check out the Hamilton reefstar hqi metal halide pendants!!!! I think they are on sale NOW on Salty Critter.com!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I have them and love them!