Lighting

grodecki · #1 09/17/2003, 10:31 PM

I am setting up a 561 gallon reef tank and I want to keep SPS corals in color. I was wondering if 4-400 watt MX 20,000 K is enough. P.S.: What is the best ballast to run the MX 20,000 K metal halide.

pjpeels · #2 09/17/2003, 10:36 PM

Check this thread
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=238650

David P · #3 09/17/2003, 10:45 PM

depends on the dimensions of the tank. Each bulb/reflector is good for 2 square feet. If from the top of the sand bed to the top of the water is only 24" 250w should safice. If its deeper then go with the 400w. I would recomend double ended bulbs with Sunlight Supply Reef Optix III+ pendants. Ive heard some things about XMs... like dont plan on keeping anything blue or purple.

ignite1402 · #4 09/18/2003, 12:13 AM

how deep is ur tank>?

grodecki · #5 09/18/2003, 10:27 PM

Sorry I thought of that question after I subimited it my 561g tank dimension is 10ft long 3ft front to back and 30in high sps will be top 2ft hoping 4-400 20,000k metal halides will be enough do to electrical costs. If I have to I will use more lighting. I want really good colors in sps corals if you have any suggestions with combination lighting like 10K+, 20K+, 65K + 20K please answer as much information as possible. I will be having lps and soft corals in bottom half of tank.

David P · #6 09/18/2003, 10:50 PM

ok, if sps will be within 2 feet of th top, I think you could get away with 250s. Unless you want dim areas at the ends, I think you should add one more light.

65K bulbs are ugly but good for growth. 20K (Radiums) are good for growth but VERY blue, and dont last long. Aqualine AB I believe is actually rated at 13K, a little bit of blue looks nice on this bulb. You may want to look at XM 20K, I think they burn in to around 18K wich looks pretty nice. You can stagger your bulbs, 10-20-10... Or perhaps run 250w 10Ks and 175w 20Ks, but then your looking at 10 lamps... still be cheaper than running 400s though. HTH