120g Data Call - Lighting Question

KMP · 02-18-2007, 01:44 PM

I have a question regarding lighting. I know watts per gallon is not an all inclusive measurement; but it's a base line comparison which is what I'm intersted in.

I'm getting ready to step up to a 65g (interim to the 120g plunge) which has a dimension of 36x18x24. I will need lights, but do not want to buy lights twice (for the final upgrade). My thought is to get something similar to the Aquamedic 36" w/2 250w metal halides and 2/36w T5s. While on the 65g tank I'll just pull out one 250w metal halide bulb which will give me 5.3w per gallon and later when I upgrade to a 120g I can transfer the light over, put in the other bulb which will give 5w per gallon.

So my question is; given your set up (120g plus), what is your watts per gallon and what type of corals do you keep?

Thanks.

Woodstock · 02-18-2007, 08:19 PM

I have 2 x 250 watt MH plus 2 x 96 watt PC (soon to be T5). With this lighting, I am able to keep any type of coral/clam I want. I currently keep a LPS/softie dominated system with a few anemones.

KMP · 02-19-2007, 11:27 AM

thanks woodstock.

does anyone forsee issues w/pulling one bulb out? other than being brighter on one side than the other?

aquaman3680 · 02-19-2007, 11:57 AM

Not really, it can be a good thing because some corals don't like as much light so you could put them on the darker side. Just a thought, I know that I have had a couple corals die due to too much light.

Matt

KMP · 02-19-2007, 12:12 PM

that's kinda what i was thinking - put the lower light corals on one side.

prow · 02-21-2007, 06:41 PM

i have 6X80watt T5's running on 2 icecap 660 ballasts. i can keep any coral i want. now i have acro's, monti's, clams, pilo's ect...for your lights what your thinking is fine but why not go with a retrofit easy to set up on a hanger or DIY hood and much easier to switch up to another tank. something to think about anyway.

02-18-2007, 01:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 583 View Gallery Karma Komment	120g Data Call - Lighting Question I have a question regarding lighting. I know watts per gallon is not an all inclusive measurement; but it's a base line comparison which is what I'm intersted in. I'm getting ready to step up to a 65g (interim to the 120g plunge) which has a dimension of 36x18x24. I will need lights, but do not want to buy lights twice (for the final upgrade). My thought is to get something similar to the Aquamedic 36" w/2 250w metal halides and 2/36w T5s. While on the 65g tank I'll just pull out one 250w metal halide bulb which will give me 5.3w per gallon and later when I upgrade to a 120g I can transfer the light over, put in the other bulb which will give 5w per gallon. So my question is; given your set up (120g plus), what is your watts per gallon and what type of corals do you keep? Thanks. __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

02-18-2007, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 21,673 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 120g Data Call - Lighting Question I have 2 x 250 watt MH plus 2 x 96 watt PC (soon to be T5). With this lighting, I am able to keep any type of coral/clam I want. I currently keep a LPS/softie dominated system with a few anemones. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~29 gal QT/Hospital tank~* *~3 gal Pico~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MH, dual Actinic t5s,AquaController III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

02-19-2007, 11:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 583 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g Data Call - Lighting Question thanks woodstock. does anyone forsee issues w/pulling one bulb out? other than being brighter on one side than the other? __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

02-19-2007, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,099 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 120g Data Call - Lighting Question Not really, it can be a good thing because some corals don't like as much light so you could put them on the darker side. Just a thought, I know that I have had a couple corals die due to too much light. Matt __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

02-19-2007, 12:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 583 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g Data Call - Lighting Question that's kinda what i was thinking - put the lower light corals on one side. __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

02-21-2007, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,771 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 120g Data Call - Lighting Question i have 6X80watt T5's running on 2 icecap 660 ballasts. i can keep any coral i want. now i have acro's, monti's, clams, pilo's ect...for your lights what your thinking is fine but why not go with a retrofit easy to set up on a hanger or DIY hood and much easier to switch up to another tank. something to think about anyway.

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