SPS frags arriving tomorrow

[rsuplido]

I can't wait! Here are some Aussie SPS frags that I ordered that should arrive tomorrow:

[Baldwin]

Look awesome Reggie, What type of lighting would you suggest for my tank it is 8 foot long and 30 inches deep. I am looking for a cost effective way to have enough light to keep SPS like that.

[jmccown]

Terry, your tank is 36" deep my boy. For SPS you'll probably need 1000w halides. That is not a good tank for hard corals due to the depth. If you had a way to put them all up high you could get away with lower wattage.

[Baldwin]

Haha thanks for clarifying jason, I was just guessing. Yeah I am planning a rockscape that is going to have some of the rock structures VERY high in the tank, so I think if I put SPS on top of those, I can get away with maybe 150 or 250. Just fishing around for the cheapest way, I am assuming it would be retrofitit>?

[coralreefer]

Stunning Reggie
I'm drooling over the Acans in the background too.

Originally Posted by Baldwin

I can get away with maybe 150 or 250. Just fishing around for the cheapest way, I am assuming it would be retrofitit>?

You'll need 4 400w SE or 250W DE for a tank that long and deep plus good reflectors. I'm assuming a 250 hqi is still considered equivalent to a 400w SE
General rule of thumb is SPS tanks over 24" deep require 400w SE.

[Baldwin]

Isn't the PAR level what's important considering where you place the corals?

Reggie any pics of the corals in place?

[Altpers0na]

yes, yes it is.

[phljess]

I like the one on the front left, looks like a GARF bonsai.

[Baldwin]

I saw a thread a while back where a guy had a sps dominated tank with extremely high PAR levels coming from PAR 38 led's. I might stick with what I have and incorporate 4 of yhese in select places, as I only eant to keep a couple cap's and digi's in way of sps. Would Lps be ok considering my current scheme If they were placed with 12"- 18" from the surface?

[Baldwin]

After searching last night I have decided I may go with these Halides, what do you all think?

http://www.aquacave.com/blue-wave-2-...-kit-2409.html

Does anyone know of any better deal I can get. I plan to get the two and then add a third one later ideally, or keep my 2x150's and use them in combination. The total for two with the reflectors I want is going to be around $600 is this a good deal?

[rsuplido]

You should contact Scott, Terry. I think he still has several items for sale:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...1890442&page=3

[Baldwin]

I had thought about that Reggie, but I have two problems with that-

1. I don't know exactly when I will be getting these within the next couple of months.

2. Whenever I am spending that much money I always feel more comfortable just getting something new for a little bit more, because that way I know I have a better chance of replacement if something tears up. In the past with dealing with companies about metal halides I know that it can be a real pain even if you bought the lights new, so it's really something I don't want to try unless I got a super sweet deal.

I do notice that Scott has some of the same lights I was looking at though, so it looks like I made a pretty good first choice.

[phljess]

Those look like coil and capacitor ballasts. I would recommend going with electronics as they are much more efficient in power use also you would be able to run whatever type of bulb you like on them. I would also go with a really good reflector as they will make a world of difference in the output you get from the light. I think using metal halides would be the best fit for your tank instead of LEDs but that is just my opinion.

[Baldwin]

I still need to talk to Phil and Fuji, but online so far I am liking these.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hamilton_...MHPDDE-vi.html

Does anyone know of any more bang for the buck? I am looking at three 400 watt fixtures which would be right at 1000$