Lighting for 210 AGA Reef Tank??

[STEVEBEAM]

I am looking at one of these for my new 210 aga reef tank.
Any thoughts or other suggestions? The price seems to be pretty good. I am also debating the 1062 or 762 watt model. I am afraid of the electric bill. LOL
Thank you for any input
Steve
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15486&N=2004+113175

[rxinc]

I just bought a 72" T5 fixture from aquariumspecialty.com and the bulbs from reefgeek - after the rec.'s on the T5 QnA thread on this forum. I haven't set it up yet, but might be a electrically / economically more friendly way to go.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1184

[STEVEBEAM]

Thanks for the input rxinc.
What I was thinking was going with the 3X150 just for the shimmer effect of the MH. I was figuring that if I still did not have enough light I would be able to add additional retro T5's or PC or VHO to give additional light. Im afraid that the T5 fixture you are sugesting will end up not providing enough light and since the fixture is wide I would not have space to supplement. Also did you notice this fixture includes lunar lighting? I had 4X96 PC on a previous 90 Gal tank and I was never really satisfied with the lighting. I just dont know..LOL Let me know how it works for you I am still a few weeks away from having to buy my lights..
Steve

[KH971]

I run 3 400 MH on mine on Icecap elec ballasts.

[gabe3d]

I have 3 x 250 SE in Lumenarcs Reflectors on my tank and it is pretty well lit. I as well am concerned with electricity so I picked up some 14k hamiltons to rid the need of actinic supplemenation.

[STEVEBEAM]

Hi Gabe,
Another concern I had was viewable time. With only 3X250 it is either on or off. What I was thinking was that I would be able to get a longer view time by staging the t5's and MH. Also the fixture I was looking at comes with timer controls and lunar lights.
How much viewable time do you get with your current setup?
Steve

[gabe3d]

Steve,

I have a total viewing time of 11 hours per day. The middle one turns on one hour earlier and one hour later.

The timer in the fixture is nice but until you use a controller like an Aquacontroller you won't know what you are missing.

Gabe

[STEVEBEAM]

BUMP

[kodyboy]

I would go with the aquactinic 72 inch, great light fixture, more than enough intensity for anything that you would want to grow, no heat issues!

[STEVEBEAM]

bump

[STEVEBEAM]

^

[scottfarcuz]

I run 250w hqi's on my 210 with lumenmax 3 reflectors. I was just running 14k bulbs, but am now working on adding some t5 actinics,and going to 10k bulbs. I want all the additional punch I can get to go the 30" depth of the tank. I never had issues with the 14k's. I have had clams for almost a year on the bottom of the tank under them, but Im going for mostly sps.

[STEVEBEAM]

Thanks Scott

Steve