lighting?

jeweldamsel · #1 12/26/2007, 08:51 PM

I have a 210 gal (72"Lx24"Wx29"H) reef with 90% soft corals (zoa's and shrooms). Currently, there are 2 x 250W MH. I am thinking about adding one more 250W MH. Would it be necessarily?

DanInSD · #2 12/27/2007, 02:22 AM

I think it depends on the reflectors that you have. One MH for each three feet of linear tank seems low; but 2x250 over a 200 gallon should be fine. Perhaps 3x150 with Lumenarc reflectors?

If you're going for consistent lighting throughout the tank I think you'll need more than two lights. If you're happy with brighter and dimmer regions (which is more interesting IMO) you should be fine with what you've got.

The main thing is: how is everything growing?

Dan

jeweldamsel · #3 12/27/2007, 02:29 AM

The zoa's are mulitplying and the yellow fiji leather are splitting non stop. The overall health is good. Actually my design is brighter in the center and dimmer on both sides. I suppose my lighting is fine then. Thanks.

saltyshoe_nano · #4 12/27/2007, 08:26 PM

got any pics?

nybyrne · #5 12/29/2007, 04:27 PM

I have three 250's on a 125 and it seems to work well. All of my coral is doing great.

guppie · #6 12/31/2007, 01:03 PM

I run 2 250 and 1 175 all 12k over my 100gal tank full of softy and they all seem to do well

DanInSD · #7 12/31/2007, 04:05 PM

Reflectors do make a big difference here. The standard reflectors that come with many MH's suck. Poke around and you'll see lots of debate on such things, but it's pretty consistent that Lumenarc reflectors are worth their pennies.

Dan