Lighting help

[Jmkb02]

Currently over my 135, I have a 2x150 watt hqi ballast. I am looking to upgrade but am having a hard time finding a unit that will penetrate through almost 26" of water. Should I just go with a couple 250 watt metal halides? Will this handle the job? I want the ability to grow anything in the tank up to sps. Any ideas?? Thx

 

[Terrance]

Besides MH, look into LED fixtures. It would save you some money.

 

[Jmkb02]

Can they penetrate that depth and still put out enough light for my lps?

 

[Terrance]

Yes as long as you got the proper optics. I think you would need somewhere around 60 degree optics for each 3w LEDs.

 

[Jmkb02]

I"ll have to def look into them thanks!

 

[mr_X]

LEDs will surpass the depth halides would. A pair of these would allow you to grow sps on the sand bed-
New Dimmable 120W Aquarium Coral Reef Fish Tank White Blue LED Light White US | eBay

 

[Jmkb02]

Thanks X. How are the colors with these?? I've done just a little research but I've noticed that the higher end fixtures have red and green as well... What do you think of these colors in a fixture?

 

[mr_X]

My corals don't seem to need them. They grow like weeds. I love the way these make my tank look too. I think it's a matter of personal preference more than a need.

 

[Jmkb02]

Thx again, will def keep it in mind

 

[Terrance]

You can also check out reefbreeders value fixture. It is the same as the ebay fixture except, you get more colors (helps make different colored corals pop) and and a 2 year warranty for an additional $30.

 

[danbstrong]

Currently over my 135, I have a 2x150 watt hqi ballast. I am looking to upgrade but am having a hard time finding a unit that will penetrate through almost 26" of water. Should I just go with a couple 250 watt metal halides? Will this handle the job? I want the ability to grow anything in the tank up to sps. Any ideas?? Thx

My tank is 30" deep and leds penetrate to the bottm i have sps on bottom and a clam that are doin great 90° optics will work

 

[oyf709]

3W LED can get all the way down to 32" deep with no problem, anything deeper can try 5W LEDs, less efficient but can go much deaper.

As far as for color, the coral really need spike in blue, red/orage/green helps very little to coral growth but more of a eye candy so the coral look more " natural" to human eyes. UV or violet helps "BRING OUT" Coloration of the coral but is not a "must" to coral growth.

 

[Jmkb02]

My tank is 30" deep and leds penetrate to the bottm i have sps on bottom and a clam that are doin great 90° optics will work

How high are you fixtures?? How long?

 

[Jmkb02]

3W LED can get all the way down to 32" deep with no problem, anything deeper can try 5W LEDs, less efficient but can go much deaper.

As far as for color, the coral really need spike in blue, red/orage/green helps very little to coral growth but more of a eye candy so the coral look more " natural" to human eyes. UV or violet helps "BRING OUT" Coloration of the coral but is not a "must" to coral growth.

Thx, I will definitely use this in the future!

 

[danbstrong]

How high are you fixtures?? How long?

My fixtures are 8" above the water i have the 120w 55 led fixture

 

[Jmkb02]

Do you have the one with the reds and greens or just the blue/white combo??

 

[danbstrong]

Do you have the one with the reds and greens or just the blue/white combo??

No not in this setup my buddy is makin me new ones tho with differant colors and uv

 

[Jmkb02]

Right on, let me know how that works out....

 

[Psychocircus91]

You can also check out reefbreeders value fixture. It is the same as the ebay fixture except, you get more colors (helps make different colored corals pop) and and a 2 year warranty for an additional $30.

Terrance: I am looking into potentially getting these lights. Are you running them on timers? If so do you run all the colors, and then just the blues in the evening? Is this possible?

 

[oyf709]

I believe that the reef breeder comes with 2 power plug. You can plug 2 separate timer to control the 2 channel. However you cannot choose dimming, you will have to preset