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View Full Version : reef optix lighting system

j_beau_13
04/04/2006, 04:19 PM
im looking to light my 75 gallon tank for some sps, and mainly zoos and ricordias...i can't afford to have a chiller so im trying to keep things on the cooler side. theres already two 1100 seios and a mag 7 return pump in the water. im looking into the reef optix systems on reefgeek.com...which would i be happier with: the two 150 watt systems or the two 175 watt. and then which bulb is a more balanced color since there won't be supplimental lighting.
Nataku
04/04/2006, 04:46 PM
I bought 2 ROIII for reefgeek for my 90g along with the Phoenix 14k bulb, but mine is a 250 DE. Its quite blue and no need for Actinic supplements.
j_beau_13
04/05/2006, 02:30 PM
anybody else??
j_beau_13
04/05/2006, 02:45 PM
do u have any heat issues?
s10willy
04/05/2006, 05:58 PM
I agree with the Phoenix being a nice bulb if you plan on not having actinics. I used them in my ROIII's before going with the Reeflux 10K's.

I think the heating issue (without using a chiller) is also dependent on your height off the water and the ventilation you have in the canopy.
j_beau_13
04/05/2006, 07:09 PM
im not using a canopie...thinking about hanging them from the ceiling as pendants...how far from the tank would you recommend they be hung??
oct2274
04/05/2006, 08:21 PM
for a 75 gallon you can probably get away with 150 watt set as long as you keep the sps items at the top.
s10willy
04/06/2006, 05:40 AM
With no canopy, I would think cooling the tank, even with 250's, would not be an issue if you use a fan to blow across th surface of the water. I would try the pendants at 10 inches off the water. I would make sure that my suspension system is adjustable so that if I need to raise or lower the pendants then I can do so without a hassle. This would be useful for determining the right height for your tank at initial setup, and could also be used when it is time for changing bulbs.

I have mine at 13 inches, but I can't lower them more at this time due to heat constraints with an enclosed canopy. I am currently working on removing powerheads to alleviate some heat, allowing me to lower the pendants more.
j_beau_13
04/06/2006, 12:36 PM
thanx for the help
Nataku
04/07/2006, 08:01 AM
I hang mine 9 inches from the bulb to the surface of the water. My tank is in the basement so it runs cool w/o a canopy. I have vents for the summer time so the AC will condense the humidity. Here a link to my tank. you can see the color and height of the lights w/o supplement ( Aquallight is not used )

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=4291&ppuser=56927&thumb=1
j_beau_13
04/07/2006, 03:58 PM
nice tank...what bulbs did you use
Nataku
04/08/2006, 05:21 AM
It the Phoenix 14k bulb 250 DE in the ROIII pendant