Lighting help for 65 gallon ?

burke031 · #1 03/21/2006, 10:26 PM

I have had my 65 gallon setup for over a year now and I am still not sure about my lightng. As of now the tank has only had LPS and softies. I just added my first SPS ( a monti cap) I would like to be able to add more SPS and possibly a clam.

My lighting right now is 6 95w VHO's = total 570w- the bulbs are about 3.5" off the water surface. Is this enough light to support a clam or SPS ? I realize the SPS would probably be ok in the top part of the tank but i would like to have them down low also.

I have been looking at the 8 light 39w =total 312 w T5 fixtures but dont know if that would be any better than the VHO's
Trying to stay away for halides if I can.

Tank is 24" tall

Any input would be very helpful

Thanks
Joe

burke031 · #2 03/22/2006, 12:35 PM

Anyone have any idea if im ok with the VHO's ?

What are others using on their 65g tanks

Thanks
Joe

jjokcca · #3 03/22/2006, 03:58 PM

It is 100% depend on what kind of tank you want, if you want reef with soft coral VHO or PC will be fine, but if you want anything hard or anemones I suggesting getting MH.

I have 55 gallon and PC is work fine for me with soft coral.

mikedege · #4 03/22/2006, 04:03 PM

Im running 4X39w T5's on mine, and Ive been keeping LPS/softies with no problems at all, in fact they are thriveing, and growing like crazy.

-Mike

Blazer88 · #5 03/22/2006, 05:14 PM

I have a 250W 14,000K Hamilton MH and 2-36" VHO Actinics. I keep SPS in my tank without any problems.

werew · #6 03/22/2006, 06:03 PM

Burke,
I think an 8x39 T5HO fixture would be overkill... you'd probably be alright with an ALL SPS/clam tank, but a 6x39 would be just right. The VHO's aren't comparable to T5HO's, T5HO's win hands down for PAR. VHO's still have the best Actnic color spectrum but they just dont penetrate the water column (not as bright) like a T5HO does.

Going with 6x39 on your tank you wouldn't have to worry about making it too bright for your softs.

I'm using 2 175watt MH 10k's and 2 39watt T5HO Blue Plus over my tank and it's working great. The 175watt MH's dont put out that much heat at all and work great on my 24" deep tank depth/water column. I wanted to stay away from MH at the beginning because of heat, wished i would've started off with MH's to begin with!

Good luck, hope this helps!

burke031 · #7 03/22/2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blazer88
I have a 250W 14,000K Hamilton MH and 2-36" VHO Actinics. I keep SPS in my tank without any problems.

Do you have any problems with the center brace creating a shadow?

Quote:

Originally posted by werew
Burke,
I think an 8x39 T5HO fixture would be overkill... you'd probably be alright with an ALL SPS/clam tank, but a 6x39 would be just right.

So you think the 6x39 would still be ok for a clam and not fry the softs ? Should the bulbs be as close to the water surface as I can get them.

Thanks for the help

Joe

bradleyj · #8 03/22/2006, 07:37 PM

I run two 150w HQI Oceanlight pendants 14k pheonix bulbs and then two 39w Tek T-5's 6k geissman sunlight bulbs. I love the color I get mixing the two of these.

I have all kinds of coral and all do very well.

burke031 · #9 03/22/2006, 08:24 PM

bradleyj - Tank looks good...how close to the water are your halides ? Looks like they are close...

Thanks for the pics

joe

brett7768 · #10 03/22/2006, 09:32 PM

i have t5 on mine but like the look of mh much better. i think im gonna get either the current sunpod(2x150 hqi) or maybee the aquamedic ocean light(2x250 hqi w/T5 act)?? depends on what i waanna pay when it comes down to it.

Blazer88 · #11 03/22/2006, 11:21 PM

I don't have any problem with the center brace, I cut it out and replaced it with acrylic when the tank was new. Here is a FT shot of my tank so you can get an idea of how the color looks.

werew · #12 03/23/2006, 12:41 AM

Bradley,
Nice 65 gal! I put my blue+ T5ho's about 4-5 inches from the surface and my 175watt MH's are about 7-8 inches. You have some pretty big Tangs in your 65, do they get along ok? I have a small/med. Regal Tang and a small/med. Atlantic Blue tang in my 65 and it took them about 2.5 months to calm down with eachother.

Blazer,
Very cool tank as well!

Are you two using a glass top cover on your setup? I am and I think it puts a slight damper on my lighting, but I don't like the evap rate w/o the glass covers.

Burke,
As far as the center brace goes, if you use 2 MH's the reflectors disperse the light so that it cancels out the center brace's shadow. The light sort of shines diagonally downward and "under" the center brace.

bradleyj · #13 03/23/2006, 08:07 AM

My halides are about 5 inches off of the water surface. And yes all of my tangs get along fine. I've had them all for about 26 months now. Mine were small when I bought them. They have grown quite a bit.

szeth13 · #14 03/23/2006, 03:56 PM

will 250 watt de be good enough to have sps on the top??

werew · #15 03/24/2006, 06:43 AM

250watt DE MH is definitely enuff for SPS up on top. I use (2) 175watt SE MH's and my SPS do great up on top and mid-lower part of my 65gal.

Blazer88 · #16 03/24/2006, 09:18 AM

My SPS is doing fine at the top of my tank.

burke031 · #17 03/27/2006, 06:57 PM

werew....
I have decided to use the 2 x 175 MH like you but going to have a couple VHO instead of the T5 (only because i already have these)
Do you have any pictures of your setup ?

Thanks for the help...
Joe

burke031 · #18 03/27/2006, 11:11 PM

I just ordered this reflector cant wait for it to come so i can get this new lighting setup.

How many fans do you think I will need ? I was thinking 2pcs 4"

Joe

werew · #19 03/28/2006, 07:15 AM

Burke,
I don't currently have any pictures of mine yet but plan on taking some soon. That looks like a nice reflector, where did you get it from?

I'll post a pic later today.

burke031 · #20 03/28/2006, 12:28 PM

Getting the reflector from premium aquatics
Have not decided if i want to go with 10k or 14k MH bulbs.....

burke031 · #21 03/28/2006, 08:56 PM

going with the Ushio 14k