a 96" tank what lighting

[Aquattro]

Sure it can be done, but I'd go 4 bulbs over that length if it were my tank.

[Myka]

It depends what reflector you use, whether you use DE or SE, how even you want the lighting to look, and what corals you want to grow where. The ends will be shaded or you will get spotlight effects if the reflectors are spaced too far from eachother. Will you be using supplemental T5 or VHO?

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by Myka

It depends what reflector you use, whether you use DE or SE, how even you want the lighting to look, and what corals you want to grow where. The ends will be shaded or you will get spotlight effects if the reflectors are spaced too far from eachother. Will you be using supplemental T5 or VHO?

Hey Mindy the Reflectors are lumen arc i have 2 of them and so I would have to buy another one. for supplement lighting I was thinking of 2x vho's I still havent decided yet on that.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

Hey Mindy the Reflectors are lumen arc i have 2 of them and so I would have to buy another one. for supplement lighting I was thinking of 2x vho's I still havent decided yet on that.

Oh good, I was hoping you were using big reflectors. DE or SE? You will get the best spread with SE bulb and usually greater output (depending on ballast). HQI setting on SE bulb will overdrive the bulb getting greater output (using more electricity), but you would need to replace bulbs more often than usual. I honestly don't think you need anything more than 250w electronic ballasts with SE bulbs. I think those switchable ballasts you're looking at aren't necessary, and you could be wiser with your spending. Unless you want to use a low output bulb like a XM 20K...in which case I think 400w might be a better choice. But wow, that's a lot of electricity.

I would suggest a good quality bulb for better output , and one that isn't too blue to help the tank look brighter. I would suggest four 48" VHO or T5 running the length of the tank one on each side of the halides for the most even look. Fluorescents can be off while halides are on to save power. Do you prefer a whiter or bluer look? What halide bulbs are you currently using? Do you like the color? Would you like to use the same bulbs?

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by Myka

Oh good, I was hoping you were using big reflectors. DE or SE? You will get the best spread with SE bulb and usually greater output (depending on ballast). HQI setting on SE bulb will overdrive the bulb getting greater output (using more electricity), but you would need to replace bulbs more often than usual. I honestly don't think you need anything more than 250w electronic ballasts with SE bulbs. I think those switchable ballasts you're looking at aren't necessary, and you could be wiser with your spending. Unless you want to use a low output bulb like a XM 20K...in which case I think 400w might be a better choice. But wow, that's a lot of electricity.

I would suggest a good quality bulb for better output , and one that isn't too blue to help the tank look brighter. I would suggest four 48" VHO or T5 running the length of the tank one on each side of the halides for the most even look. Fluorescents can be off while halides are on to save power. Do you prefer a whiter or bluer look? What halide bulbs are you currently using? Do you like the color? Would you like to use the same bulbs?

the bulbs are 20K XM's i like them
4x 48" VHO' wholly
the bulbs are SE
i was looking at going 250's again
If I went 400's that is 1200W and however that i can hang them high enough to get the spread and then Im good to go right.

something like a 6500K IWASAKI lol

yes I love the blue look ,but I like the acans to grow that is what I Have All LPS and 3 squamosa clams

[StirCrazy]

ok, so one problem here.. if you only go with 3 bulbs then you will have to lift them up to around 16" or more to get an even spread across 8 foot.

since you are lifting them the PAR values are going to drop in the tank and you are also thinking of dropping down to 250's . 250 watt is not always a down grade from 400's but with the ballasts you are looking at ya they are. so now you are lowering your PAR even more.

I recomend that you stay with 400's if you want 3, or go to 4 MH if your dropping to 250's on an electronic ballast.

I would personaly go with 4 bulbs either way, but I also like lots of PAR.

Steve

[Lance]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

ok, so one problem here.. if you only go with 3 bulbs then you will have to lift them up to around 16" or more to get an even spread across 8 foot.

since you are lifting them the PAR values are going to drop in the tank and you are also thinking of dropping down to 250's . 250 watt is not always a down grade from 400's but with the ballasts you are looking at ya they are. so now you are lowering your PAR even more.

I recomend that you stay with 400's if you want 3, or go to 4 MH if your dropping to 250's on an electronic ballast.

I would personaly go with 4 bulbs either way, but I also like lots of PAR.

Steve

I agree. 3 bulbs/400W 4 bulbs/400W or 250W

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

the bulbs are 20K XM's i like them
4x 48" VHO' wholly
the bulbs are SE
i was looking at going 250's again
If I went 400's that is 1200W and however that i can hang them high enough to get the spread and then Im good to go right.

something like a 6500K IWASAKI lol

yes I love the blue look ,but I like the acans to grow that is what I Have All LPS and 3 squamosa clams

Meh, if it's all LPS and lower light clams I don't think you need 400w (even with just 3 bulbs), although it wouldn't be a bad idea with your bulb choice.

You would get much more PAR if you use a Phoenix bulb (although SE are tough to find), and with some UVL Super Actinic VHO you will still get quite a blue look. I actually even find the UVL 454 to be brighter and even more fluoresce intense than the Super Actinic.

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by Myka

Meh, if it's all LPS and lower light clams I don't think you need 400w (even with just 3 bulbs), although it wouldn't be a bad idea with your bulb choice.

You would get much more PAR if you use a Phoenix bulb (although SE are tough to find), and with some UVL Super Actinic VHO you will still get quite a blue look. I actually even find the UVL 454 to be brighter and even more fluoresce intense than the Super Actinic.

ya i heard that Mindy about the phoenix i loved them when they were on my DE 250's to bad i wont go back to DE only because of the bulbs how they are made. i hate when i break a 120 dollar bulb,

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Sure it can be done, but I'd go 4 bulbs over that length if it were my tank.

Thanks Brad another thing I was talking to the person who is going to build it and Im going with a external overflow box. And the braces i have two options Its going to be euro braced around and the center braces are either
2 x8" braces spaced evenly or one in the middle that is wider. with the bracing around I can then add my screens around that have that lip to lay over the tank if I have any jumpers...