Is 250w mh to much for my 29g reef?

Trigs · #1 09-02-2008, 11:06 PM

its 19"x13"x30"long

Myka · #2 09-02-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigs

its 19"x13"x30"long

When speaking dimensions it's always l x w x h so yours would be 30x13x19", right? Eeep, that's an awful shape to use as a reef! That's going to be a real pain in the butt!

A DE MH does a poor job of spreading light, but is much more intense than a SE. A SE bulb spreads the light much better and produces less hot spots (spots of higher intensity). Both SE and DE bulbs will light a 24x24" area with most reflectors. The SE will do it more evenly, and the DE will do it more strongly. Neither will do a good job spreading the light over the 30" length of your tank. It's going to be rather dim on the ends. This may work to your advantage though as you could keep the lower light corals on the ends of your tank.

I assume this will be your first sw tank? If so, I would recommend you get a bigger tank, it's easier to keep stable. Your light would be great over a cube shaped tank or a shallow cube. Something 20x20x16" or 24x24x18" or something like that would be great. Much easier to light, and also easier to rockscape it. Just a thought...

Trigs · #3 09-03-2008, 01:00 AM

no this will not be my first sw tank, will be my third, but i used fowlr with softies before and im just getting into a real reef tank, im thinking a cube tank would be a lot better so i will keep my eyes open for a cube tank and maybe a new light

Myka · #4 09-03-2008, 01:27 AM

I think your light would be great over a cube tank. It's a great light, no need to replace the light! Check out King Ed's, they usually stock a few cubes at decent prices.

Trigs · #5 09-03-2008, 01:28 AM

will do! is there any where else that would? and also does king eds have a web site i dont think they do if i remember correctly but i culd be wrong

Myka · #6 09-03-2008, 02:08 AM

I don't think they have a website. I guess it's a bit of a drive for you isn't it? Try to find a cube that is equal in width and height or shallower than it is wide...easier to 'scape. Tanks that are taller than they are wide make better fw planted tanks than reefs imo. Like your 29g...that would be a great fw planted tank!

Trigs · #7 09-04-2008, 04:55 AM

how about a 30" w x 30" L x 18" H sounds like a pretty good size dunno how many gallons that is though...