Lighting Question

[yankee26th]

What should be the proper distance between Metal Halide Lighting and the Water Surface?
Thank you.

[Capt_Cully]

Depends on how deep your tank is, how strong your lights are, and what you're keeping. I'm assuming your 150 is 24 deep??? and you're using 250 w MH's???

I'd say 8-10 inches above the water for SPS and you'd be able to grow corals at any water depth.

[yankee26th]

Yes --- the tank is 24" deep, I'm using 250w MH w/ 8x54w T5's, and also Yes I'm looking to start growing SPS's.
I'm in the market for a Protein Skimmer, any suggestions, other than a BK - way too expensive.
Thanks

[yankee26th]

Sorry, let me include I have a 3" to 4" sand bed.

[Capt_Cully]

WOW 8x54 T5's AND MH. That's a ton of light! How is it all configured? How many Mh's do you have? 2?

I have an ASM skimmer and love it. Octopus skimmers are very nice and very reasonable for size and function. There are a million different ways to go. Are you running a sump? Basement? under tank? becasue that can limit the size of skimmer based on height and accessibility.

[yankee26th]

I have 3x250w MH, 4 sets of 36" 54w T5's. 2 sets that run along the front of the tank from left to right and the same along the back.
I'm running a Sump/Refugium. I'm presently running an external ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe PS. I'm having a custom sump/refug. built to house an internal PS when I decide which PS I'm going to purchase.
What do you think of the ATI BM 200?

[Capt_Cully]

I haven't really investigated it. I'll give it a look.

FWIW I think you'd be just fine with only a few T5's. Maybe 4. With 3 MH's you'll get all the light you need. Use a few T5's to supplement actinic lighting for dawn and dusk effect. I really think the rest would be overkill IMO. Not trying to give the wrong impression, just save you a little $$$ on your electric bill :)

Your 150 is a 6 footer then? I was thinking it was 4 foot.

[yankee26th]

I'm trying to simulate 4 bulbs. Unfortunately, but they don't make T5's in 6 footers. So thats why I have it set-up that way.

What type of bulbs are you running for your MH and T5's?

[Capt_Cully]

I run 3xDE 250 Hamilton 14K's with 4x 39 w T5's. 2 bulbs toward the front. 2 toward the back. Not sure which T5 bulbs I have, can't remember. But they're VERY blue. They are almost immediately drowned out one the MH's come on. I'm not sure adding more would be much different. BUT it would eliminate some shadows when MH's are off. I did consider adding a few more at one point, but then opted not to.

I looked at the ATI. Looks pretty sweet, but I think you could get a really nice skimmer with a similar design and function for alot less $$$. Or, buy used, I'll never buy new again. So many people fire sale stuff on the used forum, it's easy to pick up a good score. ASM, Octopus, Euroreef, Aqua C etc....

[yankee26th]

As far as the T5's are concerned, I'm running ATI Blue Plus and UVL 75/25 14k. They were recommended to me by Greg at ReefGeek.com. I apologize, my T5's are 39w, not 54w.

My MH are Reeflux DE HQI 14k. I'm looking to replace them with the Giesemann Megachrome 12.5k or 14.5k I haven't quite decided yet.

I was so excited, I have an opportunity to pick up an ATI BM 200 for $375.00. But I found out it was 1st Gen.

[Capt_Cully]

Bummer, keep lookin. I'm sure you can score a really nice skimmer if you go used. You bulb set up looks really nice too. Should do well for you over an SPS system.