What height for 2-250w halide on 30 breeder frag tank??

[JHiestand]

Trying to figure out how high these halides should be from the surface, I have 2 250w over a 30 breeder. I am using it for frags only and I am not sure how high the lights should be. I will be building a nice aluminum hood once I figure this out, so for now I just did a cheap wood one with scrap laying around. Thanks for any help.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/JohnRHiestand/9CB792B1-82AF-4400-8D1F-B2C8E0FF362B-12998-000007EBB17D1BB5.jpg

[mike_cmu04]

It looks like lots of zoas in the tank i would go with 12" off the surface

[Mmiller40gt]

As close as you can get them without boiling the water ;). It's not like you won't have enough spread on that little tank

[JHiestand]

It is mainly zoas and palys right now. There is a few hammer in there also. I plan on having some sps in there as well up a little higher. I was thinking 9" of the surface? Would that work? Thanks again.

[karsseboom]

Should be fine at 9"

[t4zalews]

Being a halide lover..I would have used T5's on that tank. With 250w's, I think the height you have is just fine.

[Rookieofsalt]

2x250 500w on a 30g.. I smell seafood soup.. LOL.. I think 12" is good since you do not have a canopy and in an open space.

[JHiestand]

It will work out to being about 10" from the surface, I wonder what the par reading is on this sucker. Also the room has a/c so I am not really worried about the heat.

[JAustin]

If those are spider reflectors you may not have the par you think you do. Buy a nice reflector and light that tank with one bulb.

[JHiestand]

If those are spider reflectors you may not have the par you think you do. Buy a nice reflector and light that tank with one bulb.

What would be considered a "nice reflector"? Yes these are just the bat wing style. I thought about lining the inside of the hood with highly polished aluminum that is used for light deflectors. Would that work?

[deepseadan]

What would be considered a "nice reflector"? Yes these are just the bat wing style. I thought about lining the inside of the hood with highly polished aluminum that is used for light deflectors. Would that work?



I like my new reflectors that I just bought, the reef optix 2 with mogul base. I was told they were the same as the lumenmax 2, just without the housing. Not priced to high either, got mine from mairinedepot for $59 each (pricematch). Very impressed and no hot spots.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Sunlight_Supply_Reef_Optix_2_Retrofit_Single_Ended_Mogul_Based_Reflector_175_Watt_Single_Ended_Metal _Halide_Retrofit_Kits-Sunlight_Supply_Inc-SL1221-FILTRTRMSEHS-vi.html

[JHiestand]

That's what I already have