MH question

Jow13 · #1 02/28/2005, 07:47 PM

I'm planning a new tank when I move to NJ in a month or two. I want a decent mix of LPS and SPS. I'm thinking I want to go 30 inches height, what would you think of a using MH 250 DE's. Would that be suitable for LPS on the bottom to middle. I'm new to this height of tank i'm not sure how strongly it penetrates.

gotdesl · #2 03/01/2005, 01:40 AM

I am no lighting expert by any stretch, but IME I have 2 400's sitting over my 75 with no issues. I have lords midway up and they just get brighter, a branching hammer with awesome color midway up, and three types of brains on the substrate. The sps does great with the light just about anywhere you put them. The exception is one sps colony. I bought it browned out, and it only colors up if it is just under the water's surface. Even then, it is not at it's full potential. I do not think that I can provide that one coral with enough light. Weird...

Julio · #3 03/01/2005, 05:15 PM

The lighting would be fine, i have a 90 gallon that is 30 inches and the halides are oof the water by 6 inches and everything is brightly colored up. I don't think you will have a problem keeping corals with that type of lighting.

Jow13 · #4 03/01/2005, 06:19 PM

Cool thanks gents. I didn't want to go 400 cuz I thought that might burn my LPS. The tank I am planning is 24x24x30 so a cube with a little extra height. What do you recomend for actnic supplementation. I also havn't decided to go 10K or 20K with the MH.

Julio where in NY are you. I am moving to the waterfront of Jersey City over looking Manhattan.

Julio · #5 03/01/2005, 09:38 PM

i would go with 10K halides and you can run NO atinics on a VHO ballast as they will put out almost the same intensity and last just as long as VHOs.