4x96 lighting enough for 180g?

[raynist]

Going to get a 180g soon. Was looking at Orbit 4x96 72 inch light. Tank will be 2ftx2ftx6ft. Plan on having around 6 inches of sand. Tank will only have LPS and some soft corals and zoos. I have no interest in SPS. Should this light be sufficient?

Thanks
Ray

[tigerarmy40]

it should do the job but if you want them to thrive and have really beutiful colors I would go with 150 or 175 mh's. the penetration from the pc's will be minimal at the lowest point in the tank and alot of lps make their homes in the sand!

[raynist]

Could I get away with 2 150w mh and maybe an actinic?

I can't hang pendants from the ceiling though, that is why I am leaning towards the PC's. I will most likely have 6 inches of sand, so the tank will really only be 18 inches or less of water.

--Ray

[tigerarmy40]

you could deff do it but for the best results I would go with the 150 pendants and munt them inside a canopy! dont get me wrong the pc's will keep the corals but I switched from pc's to pc's+mh and everything changed! zoas colored up and all my lps swelled to about twice their original size.... well worth the money

[Zoalander]

for 180 gallon I would go 2x250 watt MH minimium. I have one 150 watt HQI MH on my 42 hex and some say it's still not enough. Figure it this way, you need at least 3 watts per gallon. Better to spend the extra money now then spend double later. With stronger lighting you wont be limited either.

[tigerarmy40]

for cost reasons I would just go with a triple 175 mh and maybe supplement with a few t5's! should be more then enough for what you want to do!

[Saltz Creep]

Originally posted by raynist
Going to get a 180g soon. Was looking at Orbit 4x96 72 inch light. Thanks
Ray

I've never heard of a 96W 72 inch light. Maybe you could post a link? BTW 4x96W isn't enough on a tank that size. I would at least double that wattage. But really, your better off with multiple VHOs or MHs.

[raynist]

The fixture is 72 inches, the lights themselves are probably 36 inches.

Will I really be low on lighting if I never plan on keeping SPS or anenomes?

The cost of replacing multiple MH bulbs every couple of months is what is scaring me....

--Ray

[Saltz Creep]

MHs are replaced about every year or so, therefore in the long run they are the cheapest bang for the buck. You can get DIY MH parts from Hellolights to save you money.

http://www.hellolights.com/aroelba2meha.html

http://www.hellolights.com/methalparref.html

BTW, IMO, 4x96W PCs on a 180 is still too weak even for LPS and softies.

[raynist]

Current also makes a 6x96w fixture that is 72 inches long. That runs about $600. They make an outer orbit that has 3x150mh and 4x96 PC, but that is over $900. I will not have that much to spend on this project not to mention I do not want 850w of lighting running, my power bill will skyrocket.....

[raynist]

Ok, lets say I go with 2x250w MH, I should be able to get those or under $500, what should I then use for my actinics?

Anyone have any recommendations on pendant lights?

--Ray

[Dubbin1]

Ray if you build a canopy (easy to do) then you could use MH retrofits. They are much cheaper (I found mine for $160 each with electronic ballast, reflector and bulb). For a 6 foot tank I would use 3 250w MH.

[northbay-reefer]

Originally posted by raynist
Could I get away with 2 150w mh and maybe an actinic?

I can't hang pendants from the ceiling though, that is why I am leaning towards the PC's. I will most likely have 6 inches of sand, so the tank will really only be 18 inches or less of water.

--Ray

I used to run 3 175watt halide and 2 160watt VHO for my 180 gal tank and those softies and LPS thrives just fine. But if I have to do it over again, I would replace the 3 175 watt halides with 3 150watt halides ... the 150watter are more efficients

[Triggerfish]

at the minimum i would go with the 6x96 unit with the 24" width.

but yes,,if you could retrofit 3 MH units,,it will look so much better and cost about the same when you factor in some supplemental actinics.

[JENnKerry]

The lighting in question will be fine for a 180. I run the 6x96 watt PCs on my 125 with LPS, softies, a clam and a few SPS frags. Corals are thriving.

[raynist]

Originally posted by JENnKerry
The lighting in question will be fine for a 180. I run the 6x96 watt PCs on my 125 with LPS, softies, a clam and a few SPS frags. Corals are thriving.

Thanks, do you mean the 6x96 or the 4x96 or both?

--Ray

[JENnKerry]

If you go with 4x96 you would be fine with LPS, softies and lower light clams. Might even be able to get away with certain SPS if it's kept up high enough in the rocks.

[raynist]

Thanks, probably just saved me
$300 or more..

[Northtampatang]

Isnt a 125 6 inches shorter in height than a 180? That could hurt light penetration pretty bad.

[Triggerfish]

i have 4x96 on my 125 and that is barely enough light to cover the 18" width..i actually supplement with a 48" 2x65 up front.

2w/gal is just not going to look all that great..but if you simply are looking to put light on just to keep things alive regardless how they look then, you could 'save' money.

5/6 say better off going with brighter/more lighting..:rolleyes:

[haid]

i am running CSL 72" 4 BY 96 watt fixture on my 125 LPS tank. While I agree it will be enough for some stuff (to remain alive) I personally would recommend buying the Halides in the first place. I am saving up now to replace mine. I have taken LPS out of the LPS tank and put them into my SPS tank with noticable improvements under the halides. Buck up the little extra now and avoid a lot extra in the future. IMO.

[The Grim Reefer]

Before you settle for PC's check out this http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.asp?dbid=151

If you use their aqua cool lamps they come free with the 175 watt fixture. They are a 14K lamp so if they are decent you don't need actinics. You get hit extra for powder coating and fans. Their HQI fixtures (DE Lamps) are alse pretty inexpensive. With these prices I'd be hesitant to spend 600 bux for PC's.

[raynist]

Could I go with 3 of these in the canopy?

http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.asp?dbid=492

Thanks
Ray

[The Grim Reefer]

If your canopy is a standard height I'd look at these http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_cat.asp?category=MH/PC%20%20Retrofits&subcategory=72"%20Retrofits&Page=2

The bat wings are nice but you probably wouldn't have room under a standard canopy for them.

These might work http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.asp?dbid=513

[The Grim Reefer]

If your canopy is a standard height I'd look at these http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_cat.asp?category=MH/PC%20%20Retrofits&subcategory=72"%20Retrofits&Page=2

The bat wings are nice but you probably wouldn't have room under a standard canopy for them.

These might work http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.asp?dbid=513

[Triggerfish]

bulbs aren't included with any of these retrofits right?

this one would work out real well,,but looks like it would be about $1100 with shipping, fans and bulbs.
also the upgrade to electronic ballasts would add $240.

Triple 250 Watt MH / Quad 96 Watt Power Compact Retrofit

http://www.aquariumlight.com/images/db/601_image.jpg

[tigerarmy40]

dude on ebay you can get a triple 175 setup with bulbs for like 289.00..... EBAY...live by it!

[raynist]

Are they any good though?

[tigerarmy40]

yeah! I have run on from a to t lamps for over two years with no problems....now the bulbs of course are lower end but will do while you save up for some new ones!


oh yeah, I forgot to mention I have sent three freinds this rought and no problems yet!!!!

[Triggerfish]

ya you can get decent deals on some retro kits.. do those also include any additional actinic lighting or just the halides?

[tigerarmy40]

just the halides! but then if you search for pc's yuo can get them for dirt cheap as well.

[Poolrad]

A lot of the "NEW" lighting on ebay is really factory reconditioned units that traditionally have a 45% higher chance of failure due to mechanical problems..

Just always ask yourself why the price is so low.. Sometimes you really can get a good deal, but know what you are buying..

[Triggerfish]

is that tank pic in your gallery with those lights on? looks good from what i can see.
may not even need the actinics if you get 15k bulbs

[tigerarmy40]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3984914964&category=46314&rd=1


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3984947409&category=46314&rd=1


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4325309935&category=46314



just to give you an idea!

[tigerarmy40]

yeah my tank is lit by ebay!!!!! lol

[Triggerfish]

hey could ya post the pic..blocked at work...thx

[tigerarmy40]

witch one?

[Triggerfish]

whatever one would be good for a 125g..
preferably double ended bulb

[raynist]

Do these places you buy from have online ebay stores that you can point me to? I found an online ebay store for Cool Touch Lighting.

Thanks
Ray Nist

[tigerarmy40]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7700963500&category=46314

Im not real sure how to post a pic so I will put it in my gallery!

[Triggerfish]

thx big G
wow,,so you can get 3 double ended 175w retro units w/ bulbs for 289?

what type of ballast is that...?
damn,,can't beat the price anyway..probably worth a try

[raynist]

This unit looks interesting. Would this work on a 72x24x24 tank?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4381055115&category=46314

--Ray

[tigerarmy40]

if you were to get the 3x175 it would be mogul socket but as far as the t5's I would go with the retro so you can spread them out a bit for better coverage

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by raynist
This unit looks interesting. Would this work on a 72x24x24 tank?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4381055115&category=46314

--Ray

That unit is a waste of money. For T5 look at retro kits with Tek reflectors for each lamp. You can only get up to a 5 foot lamp but if you stagger them a few inches either way they will give you good lighting. 3 250 watt halides will give you about as much light as a 6 lamp Tek retro from reefgeek.com. The 6 lamp tek retro will set you back a little over 700 bucks.

[tigerarmy40]

I personaly would go with the halides! less cost on bulb replacement!

[petedoc]

I have a 72" long by 24" high tank, 135gal and had 4X65 PC lighting at first. I now have a 4X96 PC with 2X250 MH. The difference is like night and day. When just the PC lights are on the tank looks ok if the room is dark. When the MH bulbs come on at noon everything looks dramatically better. I tried to stay with just PC lighting, but finally made the plunge to MH and I sure don't regret the change. I also bought my lighting on ebay, from what used to be PSL, they still have some great deals listed. Good luck

[aurorafish]

go to your local graybar get the ballasts and a case then go to any online store and get the mogul sockets and bulbs, it is ony 3 wires to hook up and you wont spend more than $300 for 2 400watt or 250 watt setup, f you wan a bit of actinic go 14K bulbs, if you like alot of blue get the 20k bulbs. if you have any more $ buy a nice reflector i recommend advance balasts, plus ask anybody who has used there lighting for more that 5 years about electronic ballasts, they just dont hold up like tar ballasts