36 x 36 x 24 Cube Lighting

[NewSchool04]

I'm looking at ways to light this cube. I'd like to keep it to one MH and I had posted earlier about a reflector http://reefgeek.com/products/categor...ng/104928.html and adding two 36" T5 retros. Either using 250 or 400W MH.

Does anyone have any other ideas before I pull the trigger?

[Purple Haze]

as usual, depends on what you want to keep. Could just get away with T5's, one MH and some VHO's, two 250's. Just depends on what you want to spend initially and each month.

A 400w and some T5's or VHO's would rock. Put that 400 in the LA3, though.

[NewSchool04]

Yeah, I guess I forgot that. I'm a mainly SPS guy that keeps LPS and zoos on the side. Mixed tank, 80% SPS and the other whatever.
I had a lot of success with my last T5 tank, but now since that crashed and I lost all my stonies because of a GFI blowout, I'm changing tanks and lighting. I'm trying to figure out the MH thing.
My problem is the cube is 36 x 36 x 24 Usually they say MH will light up to 24". What I'm looking for is ideas b/c I'm really not familiar with MH.
Should I do one 400 watt MH with the reflector above, or maybe two 250 pendants or even 150 pendants. I'm all ears

[Purple Haze]

you're limited to one LA3. A 250 won't completely cover that square footage. Id say one 400w would be close to filling that area and you may not need T5's or VHO's.

[NewSchool04]

any other ideas from anybody?

[moonpod]

This tank has an overflow dead center and is 4 side viewable right? For that reason MH is a bad choice. Your "hot spot" will be over the overflow. Use T5s. If your overflow is center back and the tank is 3 side viewable an LAIII or LumenMax with a 400w is the way to go

[NewSchool04]

the overflow will be external, won't be involved in the footprint. And the over flow is in the back, three side viewable.
Is there much difference between the LA III and the LumenMax?

[moonpod]

no not much difference.

[NewSchool04]

Thanks moonpod. My brain is starting to hurt with all this planning.

[cj_basser]

Funny, I'm planning the same sized tnak as well, except it will be viewable form 4 sides with a center overflow. I cant decide whether I am going to go with a 250w halide in a Luminarc III dead center, or 6-8 T5's.

I think I migth go with the Halide in a Luminarc. From what I have read, Luminarcs give off a good 3x3 spread of light...so that owuld be enough to cover your entire tnak.

[manderx]

i'm planning a 3x3 as well, though probably a bit shorter just to make it easier to work on. i'm going with 4 luminarc minis, i don't like the idea of just 1 point source light. i like light coming from as many angles as possible to fill shadows. i'm probably going to do the new 175w iwasaki 14K bulb.

[NewSchool04]

cj_basser and manderx, PM me with who you are going to have build the tank. I've contacted about 6 manufactures, I'm wondering if I'm missing anyone. I have plans drawn out for mine, I can forward them over to you for ideas and I'd love to see how you guy's are thinking about doing it.

[moonpod]

Originally posted by cj_basser
Funny, I'm planning the same sized tnak as well, except it will be viewable form 4 sides with a center overflow. I cant decide whether I am going to go with a 250w halide in a Luminarc III dead center, or 6-8 T5's.

I think I migth go with the Halide in a Luminarc. From what I have read, Luminarcs give off a good 3x3 spread of light...so that owuld be enough to cover your entire tnak.

with 4 sides viewable and a dead center overflow do not use a single halide setup. Your halide will be most effeciently lighting your...overflow. Use T5s. Don't place your halide "hotspot" essentially over your overflow

[i2ik]

I am having the same aquarium size as yours and i am running with one MH of 150W. I guess you could make it possible with a 250W or 400W to keep SPS. I am pretty satisfied of my light, i though i would have some dark spot. The light is about 12" for the tank