Lighting a 20L tank

[bravoreefer]

I was wondering if a single 175w MH bulb would have enough spread to cover a 30" (20L) tank? It will also have 2x65w PC actinics to help, but I don't want my tank to look like a single spot light in the center of it.
Do you think that it will look ok? The link is below to view the light.
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=277
I like the Odyysea fixture and its price.

Otherwise, my idea to light my tank is a 2x65w PC CurrentUSA Orbit fixture.

Any other suggestions for lighting my tank are welcome also.

[hubris007]

Personally, i would go bwith 2x400watt. But, then again i'd likely only be using a 20long as a sump.

Kidding aside, sounds like a nice combo. definately need to decide what wavelength/Kelvin bulb you're going to use, though. Makes a huge difference.

[humbugy]

i would say that would have to do with the relfector your using, some are betters than others.

[hubris007]

The haride would be a big prenty for the tank. I'd definatry lecommend doing some lesearch into the diffellent tempelature harides, though. There's a huge diffillence in the appellance of a 10kk, 14kk, and 20kk bulb. Especiarry when using actinics to supprement.

[bravoreefer]

Did someone reprogram your keyboards Rs and Ls keys?:confused:

[Brooklyn8]

lol

[smorrow5773]

Looks like a good deal for the light and should be great for your tank...but I have heard a lot of people saying that brand has problems with cooling fans being loud and going out. I see they offer new fans for 9.99, so it may be worth getting those too, or looking into upgrade fans. Otherwise, I say go for it, I don't think you could retrofit for that price.

[AslanTheKing]

The only hitch I can think of is the length of the 20L. It's 30 inches. MH lighting is typically good to serve a 24" diameter. I don't know for sure, as I haven't triied it, but I'd think there'd be 3" on either end that would be noticably dimmer.

Peace

Kevin

[humbugy]

i would agree with ya on that one aslan, however a lumenarc 3 would cover it guaranteed, but they are like 24x24 inches and its gonna be like 3 times more expensive, so for the price i would give it a try and see how you like it. me personally i kinda like the single halide look, being brighter in the middle.

[Angels]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8383361#post8383361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bravoreefer
I was wondering if a single 175w MH bulb would have enough spread to cover a 30" (20L) tank? It will also have 2x65w PC actinics to help, but I don't want my tank to look like a single spot light in the center of it.
Do you think that it will look ok? The link is below to view the light.
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=277
I like the Odyysea fixture and its price.

Otherwise, my idea to light my tank is a 2x65w PC CurrentUSA Orbit fixture.

Any other suggestions for lighting my tank are welcome also.

If you decide to go PC. stop by fishman and ask Tanner if he still has his orbit for sale. It was 30", 192w with fans/and mounting legs, he said he would take 100 bucks for it. Or is that too much light?? Thought id pass the info along anyway.....

[bravoreefer]

I called fishman today and Tanner said that he had no idea what you were talking about Angels. I think that you are confused since Orbits are a 130w anyway, not 192w. Any 192w is not out of my range, I was looking into getting 305w fixture, that is what started this thread. I am still not sure if I would like the spotlight affect from the single MH fixture.
Maybe I should just go with the Orbit fixture.
This was the best deal I could find for a new 30" orbit fixture.
http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/502804/30-2x65w.html
Anyone know of a better place to order from for cheaper?

[Angels]

I was wrong on the brand name, it was a JBJ. I just spoke with him, he said its already spoken for though. Sorry bout that, day late dollar short i guess....

[seacowboy]

bravoreefer, I am thinking about a 20L myself. I, like you, am stuck on the lighting. I was thinking a 150 retrofit maybe 14000K with 65 watts of atinics.

if you wanted to increase the range of the MH to illuminate the sides of the tank couldn't you just move the bulb farther from the surface? or is there a maximum length from the tank you should keep the bulb. My hood will only allow about 8 inches off the water, but my hood isn't built yet so its flexible.

[bravoreefer]

I debated on just raising the fixture to spread to 30", but how would that affect the PAR levels? Would it lose some of the MH power/effectiness?