pugmommie
12/29/2008, 03:38 PM
I am setting up a 120 gal tank 48x24x24. I plan on having a mixed reef lps, sps, leathers, zoa's, and different clams.
I already have 2 of the Hagen Glo T5-HO 2x54w for the hood.
I have 2 spider light reflectors for the mh, but I have not purchased the ballasts or bulbs yet.
I was planning on getting 2 250 w 14,000k bulbs and going with eletronic ballasts.
I have heard different opinions for the mh. One lfs said not to put 20,000k mh in tank cause it was hard to look at.
Another lfs said to use 1 400w 20,000 k because it would take care of algae problems and that a magnetic ballast would last longer and that using 2 250w would be a waste. That the 250w would not penetrate to the bottom as good as the 400w.
Is a 400w really necessary?
I like the 2 x 250 mh because I can have the light spread out more and I thought it would still be plenty of light for the clams.
I have a hood that the lights will be attached too. It is about a foot tall.
Just trying to figure out what to do and get the right ballasts and blubs.
What are your recommendations?
I have also ordered 4 x 40lbs bags of ocean direct caribbean live sand, I'm not sure exactly how deep this will make the sand bed but I thought it would be a good start. I figured even if it wasn't too deep it would serve the purpose of sand sifters I might put in tank.
Well when I told the lfs guy(the one who said to go with the 1x 400w) he wanted to know what kind of sand because their is specific sand for dsb and I have no idea if what I ordered was for this purpose or not. He kind of confused me. He said if I don't have the sand depth correct and right kind or sand I will have bad nitrate problems.
What do you guys think?
I already have 2 of the Hagen Glo T5-HO 2x54w for the hood.
I have 2 spider light reflectors for the mh, but I have not purchased the ballasts or bulbs yet.
I was planning on getting 2 250 w 14,000k bulbs and going with eletronic ballasts.
I have heard different opinions for the mh. One lfs said not to put 20,000k mh in tank cause it was hard to look at.
Another lfs said to use 1 400w 20,000 k because it would take care of algae problems and that a magnetic ballast would last longer and that using 2 250w would be a waste. That the 250w would not penetrate to the bottom as good as the 400w.
Is a 400w really necessary?
I like the 2 x 250 mh because I can have the light spread out more and I thought it would still be plenty of light for the clams.
I have a hood that the lights will be attached too. It is about a foot tall.
Just trying to figure out what to do and get the right ballasts and blubs.
What are your recommendations?
I have also ordered 4 x 40lbs bags of ocean direct caribbean live sand, I'm not sure exactly how deep this will make the sand bed but I thought it would be a good start. I figured even if it wasn't too deep it would serve the purpose of sand sifters I might put in tank.
Well when I told the lfs guy(the one who said to go with the 1x 400w) he wanted to know what kind of sand because their is specific sand for dsb and I have no idea if what I ordered was for this purpose or not. He kind of confused me. He said if I don't have the sand depth correct and right kind or sand I will have bad nitrate problems.
What do you guys think?