PDA

View Full Version : Lighing upgrade question

peregrine3751
10/21/2006, 05:06 PM
Hi all;
I need to upgrade my lights. My tank is a 30 tall. 24in. tall X 12in. wide and 24in. long. Right now I just have two 65 watt PCs. They're ok for the first 12in. Below that not so good. I need a Halide. I have a canopy built for a Halide, It's 12in. tall and open in back. I have two really good fans to mount in the ends. I was looking at this,

http://www.hellolights.com/15hlmhrekith.html

Hellolights, 150w HQI retrofit, with the 14,000K Phoenix bulb.

Has anyone used this ? Would this be enough light ?
Oh, forgot, I keep soft corals and LPS. And I do have a chiller.

Any input would be great.
Thanks
Dave
mfinn
10/21/2006, 06:14 PM
You could get away with it, but in a very short time you would be wishing you have gone with 250 watt mh.
peregrine3751
10/21/2006, 07:09 PM
I was thinking that 250w would be a little to much for that size tank.
mfinn
10/21/2006, 07:16 PM
I have a 250 watt mh on a tank that is 30" wide x 18" tall and 18" front to back and it is great.
peregrine3751
10/21/2006, 07:50 PM
Unless someone comes up with a reason not to, I think I may go with the 250w.
One more question. If I do go with the 250, how will that affect the corals that I already have ?
mfinn
10/21/2006, 08:26 PM
You will need to acclimate them to the new stronger light.
The easiest way I know (I've done this 5-6 times now) is to cover the top of the tank with something ridgid enough to hold up 4-5 layers of window screen material.
I product called egg crate (light defuser at Home Depot) is usually used.
Add 1 layer of eggcrate, 4-5 layers of window screen material, every 4 days remove one layer of window screen material untill all gone.
And my vote is for 14k Hamiltons. I love that light. Makes my zoanthids and green leathers just glow.
peregrine3751
10/22/2006, 11:05 AM
Well it looks like the 250w, and right away. My PCs quit working today ( Odyssea system off ebay, less than a year old ). I've got an old 36" system on top of the tank right now.
The eggcrate and window screen sounds good, I'll give it a try.
Thanks for the help.

Dave
SaltyMember
10/22/2006, 02:48 PM
Personally, I think your original choice would be perfect for your size tank. Depending upon your bulb choice, the 150 HQI can put out as much light as some of the 250 wt SEs. Since you are going with soft and LPS corals I think it would be an ideal amount of light. JMO.