The long time coming PCR lighting questions

[PrisonCityReef]

Hey all-

Ok, time for me to make up my mind on lights. I'm not sure what brands are good brand names yet, so lets keep that out of it so far. Of course, I'm always open for some suggestions and discussions to back up recommendations.

A recap of my plans:

-125g tank with dual overflows
- 55g Sump
- Keeping SPS, LPS, and softies
- Not getting wet until April/May

Are the different 10K 14K 20K bulbs just different coloring for mainly aesthetic reasons, or do they affect coral growth too?

So right now I'm thinking a combo system with 3xMH, 8xT5s, and moonlight LEDS. I'd like 175Watt MH because of possible heat concerns. I'm not sure if I can get away with 250W and not need a chiller. I normally keep the house at 74 or so in the summer with the AC on and 64-68 in the winter depending on the time of day. I'm fine with using heaters and fans if needed, but I'd like to skip the chiller.

After seeing the PAR meter on Bri-Guy's tank I think I can get most things to grow well with some intelligent frag placement.

Something like this one (72" model of course)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15486&N=2004+113352

or this one (very bottom of the page)
http://www.northcoastmarines.com/lighting_systems_mh.htm

Thoughts, comments, concerns, lewd jokes?

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any comments!
-Ryan

[MrSquid]

I forget - are you going to have a canopy?

With the DFS Current fixture, I'm guessing you're looking at 150w since they don't have 175's - right?

And since I'm an AquaCave groupie :D, you can get this same fixture a tad cheaper plus free shipping from AquaCave - plus use the RC5 discount code for an extra 5% off. Remember they're in Chicago so you'd have it next-day. ;)

Lewd jokes...hmm.... there once was a fish from Nantucket............. :D

[PrisonCityReef]

Yes, but I was thinking about building my own.

One alternative I hadn't considered until now was a 250W MH in the middle and a 175W MH on each side. Anyone ever heard of someone trying that before? Have the more light demanding stuff in the middle section?

It would give me 2 different amounts of light, and with only 1 instead of 3 of the 'extra hot' 250W light.


Bah Squid, you edited!
Dr F&S only has the 150. I'll probably go 175, but I really like that they have the MH, T5s, and Lunar LEDs all in one fixture.

[MrSquid]

If you're going with a canopy, you'd really want to consider going retro anyways.

1) It'll save you some $$$
2) It'll give you the flexibility to get exactly what you want (may not be able to do 150/250/150 with a fixture unless the ballast will allow it)
3) It'll get your bulbs up higher off the water for heat dissipation
4) Fixtures typically vent out the ends and/or top - a canopy will limit how well it'll cool itself
5) Easier to upgrade/change bits and pieces - either by choice or necessity if something croaks on you

I was originally thinking fixture for the same reason as you - all-in-one - until someone pointed out #3 to me.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff272/mysquiggy/IMG_1815.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff272/mysquiggy/IMG_1814.jpg

[FEEDERFISH]

I like the PFO pendants, Reef Optix III Reflectors, the Lumenarc is also nice, you have to check out the reflectors which is am important part of lighting, same with your T-5s, I am running the hamilton reefstar pendants w/ DE lamps I like them and the IceCap Reflector on my T-5. I like DE lamps becasue of their small size over the Mogul Lamps. the K ratings can give you a difference in PAR, basicly they are main wavelenths of light the lamp is outputing usually the higher K the lower the PAR depending on your wattage of lamp. I like 10K running w/ supp. Actinic. I would rather have a DIY light setup thats custom over running a Pre-built fixture, that way you can get exactly what you want

[MSU Fan]

Personally, I prefer 175w Metal Halide Retros - wait, I happen to have a pair for sale (shameless plug).

I don't think that anyone answered your question on colors. Colors are mainly for astetic purposes, but a 10k will provide more light than a 20k. But you don't need actinic supplementation with a 20k, so it's a tradeoff. But the bulb color varies depending on which type of ballast, so an XM10k on a magnetic ballast will not look the same on an electronic ballast. Unfortunately, that is the complication.

Really, you should take a look at some of our tanks to figure out which way you want to go. Personally, I like a blue tank (15k+actinic or a 20k), but not everyone feels that way.

[jmkarcz]

May want to remove the glass lids to maximize the lighting efficiency/effectiveness of all that price lighting equipment there Mr Squid.


Or sell half of it...
(constructively...)
J

[MrSquid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11924148#post11924148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmkarcz
May want to remove the glass lids to maximize the lighting efficiency/effectiveness of all that price lighting equipment there Mr Squid.


Or sell half of it...
(constructively...)
J

LOL - those lids get me a lot of grief around here. :D My wife HATES humidity - so they're there to keep peace in the house. I clean them off pretty often - and the front panels are usually off. They'll come off entirely when the A/C kicks in and we have a dehumidifier running. She almost pulled the plug on the entire thing when I was just filling it up with water for the first time because the house got so humid.

For what it's worth, in that 2nd shot the MH's aren't on.

[jmkarcz]

What temp is your house?

and what temp is your tank at?

[MrSquid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11924354#post11924354 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmkarcz
What temp is your house?

and what temp is your tank at?

house = 74
tanks = 78 (creeps to 80 when the lights are on)

[jmkarcz]

try removing them.... watch where your humidity levels at... the drop the tank to 75-76... cooler even 73-72 if fish only. then drop your house to 67-68.

Go to Fleet, near the out door thermoms and get a humidity meter for your house.

Run the bath ventilation fan for a minimum of 45 minutes after showers, and make sure your dryer vent is clean as a whistle.

Those are some of the biggest offenders.

you'll save even if you drop the temp in the hose at night and while your gone during the day. Cooler water evaps slower. People put more moisture in the air in the house than a tank. If you get the simple things down, your saving $ and the wife is happy.

J

[MrSquid]

Wow - 67-68... you haven't met my wife. ;) I'm lucky the house is just at 74 and not a whole lot warmer. :eek:

It is the way it is because that's the way it's got to be. My wife would toss the tank before running the house cooler. ;)

:D ...besides - this is PCR's thread.... :D edit...thanks custom!

[customcolor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11924585#post11924585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrSquid
Wow - 67-68... you haven't met my wife. ;) I'm lucky the house is just at 74 and not a whole lot warmer. :eek:

It is the way it is because that's the way it's got to be. My wife would toss the tank before running the house cooler. ;)

:D ...besides - this is PRC's thread.... :D
i think its PCR :rolleyes:

[siropa]

74? you need a new wife. that is insanely hot. I think our 67 is too hot most of the time.

[Limpit]

I have a sweet set of 150 watt MH's FS.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1254817

Still available unless stevelkaneval gets back to me saying he still wants it.

I also have a brand new RO filter FS.
http://www.saltysupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SEA_3015&click=2
Take both and I'll cut you a deal :D

But wait.....Theres More!
I can also include at no additional cost the Oak hanging canopy, Grow Yo's hanging system and the Oak rafter unit. Everything I used over my grow out tanks as seen here except for the T5 actinics: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/Limpit/prop8-06.jpg

[PrisonCityReef]

lol...

I should rename this the "Sell me your old stuff" thread.

Limpit - RO w/out the DI doesn't do it for me. I'm probably going to hit the filterguys.com for the 5 or 6 stage RODI and Reefkeeper 2 once I get closer to game day.

Squid - Go to Wally world and spend $5 on some thermal underwear for your wife. I told my GF when she moved in "I keep it at 68 when I wake up and 64 at all other times. If you're cold, add more clothes.*" Sweat shirts, blankets, I don't care. If you don't like it, you pay the gas bill. :P

*For the record - I never tell a female to add more clothing unless I'm paying the heat bill myself... :-)

[yaitisme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11925661#post11925661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siropa
74? you need a new wife. that is insanely hot. I think our 67 is too hot most of the time.

I second that! :p

[yaitisme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11926412#post11926412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PrisonCityReef
lol...

I should rename this the "Sell me your old stuff" thread.



Did I mention I have some some to sell...

heater
Mh lighting
Reflectors
T5 lighting
Vacuum pump

Funny how all this stuff accumulates!
..... :rollface:

[MrSquid]

Know what? I'm wrong - house is @ 72. :D

I told her about this thread and she laughed - and yes...I was right. She said that if she had to choose between the tank meant keeping the house at 67, well.... I'd have some used stuff to sell PCR too. ;)

I always laugh at her because she's constantly cold - or "potentially freezing to death" as she says - sweat pants, socks and 2 sweatshirts to bed - covered by a sheet, blanket, comforter and a throw blanket - all that even in the heat of the summer and she still complains that she's cold.

I'll shout to the world that she's cute - but I'll never say she's "normal". :D

[lostdragon]

if you go with the current fixture get the 250 watt. i have one over my tank the only regret is not going with the 250 watt set up. the electronic ballasts keep heat down.

as for running a 250 in the center and 175's on the out side i would switch that to 250's on the out side and 175 in the middle.
my reasoning is you will have over lap of light in the center.

mrsqiud, personally i think hummidity helps the house feel warmer in the winter. run that by her once.

[PrisonCityReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11923975#post11923975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MSU Fan


Really, you should take a look at some of our tanks to figure out which way you want to go. Personally, I like a blue tank (15k+actinic or a 20k), but not everyone feels that way.

I've been looking at all the tank builds I can find on RC and other sites. Next time I have a trip up that way I was going to get in touch with a couple of you and drop in to take a look at some tanks in person. I don't really have a plan to start on the lights or order them even within the next 2 months. I want to have my tank setup in virtual form with all the decisions made so I can get the rest of the budget worked out for it.

My concern with looking at pictures of tanks online is that the pictures don't seem to do justice to what the tank looks like in person.

[siropa]

I'd agree with your pic vs in person viewpoint. they are nothing alike to me, ever. we've got a pretty wide variety in the club from types of lighting to kinds of bulbs and spectrum, so i'd think you'd be able to find what you need for some in person demos.

[Fishcrazy06]

In another month you can come look at my setup. I will be running a 400w halide over a 72 bowfront. However, I like tanks that look blue so I will be running 20K halide and also supplementing with T5's for dusk to dawn and a little extra "POP"

Eric