How much light over a 100 gal for sps?

[pomme]

How much light over a 100 gal for sps?

At the moment i have a 100 gal tank with a 250 watt halide over it, the tank is a weird shape by being 40" wide by 24" deep by 28" high.

I am going to add some more 250 watt compact metal halide units, at least two. As this would give me 750 watt over the tank.

But i am wondering how many of these compact 250 unit you suggest i add?

Andrew

 

[SquishyFish]

The most I have ever heard of (and this was on several different peoples tanks) was 10-12 watts per gallon. That being said...watts per gallon is one of the worst ways to gauge lighting for a tank.

 

[William]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong..

But 3 metal halide bulbs evenly spaced over your tank, than I would say probably 300watts of either Compact Flourescent or VHO lighting.

 

[Brisc0]

I have worked with one MH per two feet of tank, however I don't know if its necessarily a "valid" way to meassure.

 

[Biggen]

Brisc0 is correct in saying that one MH typically covers about a 24" radius. So for a 40" wide tank, I would use two MH bulbs. With a height of 28", I would use no less than 250w bulbs. You could even go with 400w, but the heat produced would could play a role in water temperature. If I were doing, I'd go with two 250w bulbs.

I would then run either a couple of PC 03's or T5 03's.

 

[loganj]

I agree...I'd go with 2x250w MH and 2-4 36" T-5 actinic 03's.

 

[pomme]

cool thanx guys ill go for the two then, thanx

 

[Anemoneman]

I would use 2 400W for sps.

 

[cj10488]

I would use 2 400W for sps.

I agree with the 2x250w bulbs you are really only going to be able to keep SPS up high in the tank..

HTH<
James