Powerheads for 36 Bowfront

Ok so I'm tossed up between two 550s or two 750s, or is there a benefit to doing a 550 on one side and a 750 on the other?

 

what coral do u plan to have?

 

I'd like to have a mix of different corals. I haven't made any decisions yet, however I will certainly start off easy.

I have a two bulb T5HO with a 10,000k bulb and a 420nm actinic bulb.

 

I'll probably start with soft and LPS.

 

You can actually use the larger pumps and direct the current toward the surface; That would allow lower-flow species to be placed on or near the bottom and others closer to the top of the rockwork.

FYI, the 2-bulb T5HO will only be good for softies and some LPS. If you decide to add SPS and/or clams, you'll need 4 higher-quality lamps... or MH or LED.

 

I have a dual bulb T5HO with SPS, although they are in the top 1/3rd of the tank and most much closer and directly under the bulbs. I also have an aquaticlife fixture with a separate reflector for each bulb and ATI bulbs. I get really good growth from my stylophora and good PE from my 3 montipora colonies. The only acro I have is a Red Planet which is a lower light acro and only about a month old with good coloration but no growth or PE as of yet. Besides SPS I have 3 frogspawn and 1 hammer colony which are in different areas of the tank and all growing well.

With that said, the main reason I went with a 46 bow over a 36 bow was because of lighting. With the 46 bow I can put a 36inch fixture that uses 2 39watt bulbs. The 36 bow is a 30inch tank which means a 30inch fixture. The only manufacturer that makes a T5HO bulb for 30inch is corallife. Basically if you chose any other fixture you get stuck with 2 24inch bulbs in a 30inch fixture so whether or not you have a 26bow or a 36 bow you have the same light which would leave a bit to be desired on the 36 bow. If you went with the corallife fixture you are now stuck with corallife bulbs as no other bulbs would fit into the 30inch.

Also in hindsight (PERFECT 20/20!!!!) I wish I went with a different unit to allow for more options without wasting the cash spent on my current fixture. I started out saying no sps, clams, or anemones just softies and lps. Well months go by and the itch for something new sets in and I am looking to upgrade my light after the new year and only 8 months after purchasing my current light. I also really want LED because of how each it is to dim or increase lighting to allow easier light acclimation, the ability to fine tune color of the reef without buying and replacing bulbs you may or may not like, and the shimmer they create. If you go T5 HO I suggest the aquaticlife quad bulb fixture, a top fixture that will allow you to keep anything. If youre willing to spend a few bucks go LED save on your electric and bulb buying cost and make it easier to keep the tank cooler in the warmer months. ecoxotic is supposed to be coming out with an SPS strip after the new year I may give a shot

 

I would start with the 2 750's. Then down the road, add a wavemaker and add 2 more (probably 550's).

 

I have the same tank. I use 2 750's. I put it on the back corner on each side of the tank and i point them to the front middle of the tank. It is plenty of movement. Since i added the my 2nd 750 my cyano as slowly been going away because 1 750 wasn't enough flow for the tank.

 

I'm in the same boat as Erock38. Have one 750 at the moment, need a second 750 to take care of dead spots directly underneath the first. In my opinion, 2 550's won't do the job.

 

I agree, in my opinion, I would go ahead and buy two 750s.