Lights for a 46 bow

[need2no]

Would 2 sm MHs be to much along with a vho for a 46 bow ? If so what would work well.

[shag26272]

try this just build your own on here if youre gonna use a retrofit, I would use the 250w MH and the actinic VHO's

http://hellolights.com/36builityour.html

[JamesJR]

You could use metal halides if you wanted, but T5 would be more than enough for a tank that size and you could keep any sps or clam you wanted if you got the right fixture. The bulbs last longer, burn cooler and use a lot less electricity.

If I am not mistaken, isn't the 46 gallon bow front about 36 inches long? If you used 1 metal halide bulb, you would have to get a good reflector other wise the one bulb wouldn't light the tank very evenly. If you used metal halide, I would probably use 2x175s and cut out the actinic. If you get the right bulbs you don't need actinic.
I have used Metal halide/VHO in combination before and I love the look myself but I really think you could do with less. T-5 would be my personal choice.

[need2no]

one 250w or 2 X 250w MH + one VHO

[need2no]

T-5s how many & what all would I need to get it going. I want to get a crocea clam or 2 so I want to make sure I have plenty of light for them. Can you tell me what exactly I would need to make it myself

[JamesJR]

You probably wouldn't need 250 watt fixtures, as 175 watt moguls or 150 watt HQI would more than do it.

On the T-5, I would get a fixture that has at least 4 bulbs. The 36 inch bulbs are 39 watts each.

[need2no]

But thats only 160watts

[JamesJR]

Wattage doesn't really have all that much to do with it. MH use lots of energy, but much of that energy is converted to heat. T-5 are more efficient at converting the energy they use to produce light so they don't need to have the same wattage. Think of T-5 like being VHO, only they are a lot skinnier so that you can mount more of them on top of your tank. Also T-5 is very small, like 5/16 of an inch in diameter so it is easier to mount good reflectors over them, which is crucial.

Dig these tanks, all powered exclussively by t-5.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/totm/index.php

this tank is almost exclussively sps and runs soley off of t-5.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.php

Here is another tank powered off of dual metal halides, a 40 gallon breeder.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/totm/index.php

Hope this helps.

[need2no]

here is what the Guy said about the lights on his tank. The first tank link you posted.


Three 14K marine white 39-watt T5 tubes 9:00am - 9:00pm
Two Coral Star 30-watt actinic tubes 8:30am - 9:30pm



When planning the lighting scheme I knew I would be housing mainly large-polyped stony corals, most of which I know don't require very intense lighting.

I want 1 or 2 clams & SPS corals. I need the intence lighting.

[ordy1]

I have a 46 gallon AGA Bowed tank. Setting up slowly but surely. Built a hood out of plywood. Contains 2 PFO 175 watt halides and two T-5 actinics. Squeezed in two 3 inch fans on each end of the hood. So far so good.

Can't wait to get the tank going so's I can relate all the horror stories to you guys.

[kau_cinta_ku]

i run 4 39 watt T5's over my 46 bow powered by an icecap ballast and keep everything in the tank from softies to SPS and all are doing great

[Icefire]

Go with 4xT5 with individual reflector

[PPi]

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_111_112&products_id=573&osCsid=a16c048c95e078afde61b4398f59e19e


Check this 36" 5 bulb T5 kit out. I would recommend these 5 bulbs installed in this exact pattern.

1-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt
2-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt
3-Aquaz Sun Pro 39 watt
4-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt
5-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt

Enjoy.