Lighting for a 30g with SPS.

Stab_Master_Arson · #1 09-23-2008, 03:04 AM

hmm. I was hoping to put my chiller away soon... I guess to could elevate the light. I just don't want to buy something sub-par, I have done so in the past. I really want to do MH, but if it gets too hot I may have to consider alternatives.

cdhollan · #2 09-23-2008, 04:03 AM

I have a 30 gallon, 30 inches long, and 18 inches deep as well. I am running a 250 MH DE Phoenix 14k. I got pc actinics too but i am switching those out for T5 KZ Fijii Purples. i also do not have a sump. My tank is in my basement and i do not have any problems with heat. I only have a few SPS corals but they are all doing well and growing and have nice color. i got my fixture off of ebay and just switched out the bulbs, because i had a very hard time finding a fixture to fit a 30 in long tank.

PoonTang · #3 09-23-2008, 04:20 AM

If you go with a single 250w MH pendant then you have the option of setting the height to help your corals and also to regulate your heat a little. Also you can upgrade in the future to a larger tank and just add 1 or 2 more pendants.

michika · #4 09-23-2008, 01:55 PM

At 18" deep I would recommend 250w. I've done 400w on tanks about that depth or shallower, and in the end it took longer for SPS to acclimate to the light, and was more expensive to run. It was also quite warm both for the tank and the room itself.

A good quality reflector will take you further then a less good reflector with the same bulb & ballast set up. At 30" wide (I am assuming) you could get away with one bulb and a good reflector, e.g. luminarc mini + bulb & ballast of your choice. However you mentioned wanting to go with an all in one set up, and I don't know enough about them to comment.

Stab_Master_Arson · #5 09-24-2008, 07:46 AM

Thanks for all of your input guys. I did some thinking on the wattage, heat etc and my focus as turned to this item I found at J&L

Coralife AquaLight Pro Metal Halide HQI Clamp-On Pendant - 1 x 150W

It's height is somewhat adjustable, clamps on easy and you can add more if you chose. i could buy 3 of these bad boys for the price of a 250w MH & PC canopy by Hamilton or PFO.

One more question remains though.. Is the intensity and effectiveness of multiple lamps be different (better/not better) than one big lamp?

wickedfrags · #6 09-24-2008, 11:33 AM

I have seen these in action at the LFS. Not sure I would recommend them...this light is very small, maybe only 8" across and would really only act as a spotlight on a 30" tank. Would be good for a refugium that required metal halide. Have you considered this one?

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl...C+4+x+24W.html

If this is not for you, I would consider trying to gind a single 250W or 400W pendant used - they are often at least 4-8 inches wider and would provide you much better coverage.

What are you planning for actinics if you go with a single pendant? Gotta love the actincs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stab_Master_Arson

Thanks for all of your input guys. I did some thinking on the wattage, heat etc and my focus as turned to this item I found at J&L

Coralife AquaLight Pro Metal Halide HQI Clamp-On Pendant - 1 x 150W

It's height is somewhat adjustable, clamps on easy and you can add more if you chose. i could buy 3 of these bad boys for the price of a 250w MH & PC canopy by Hamilton or PFO.

One more question remains though.. Is the intensity and effectiveness of multiple lamps be different (better/not better) than one big lamp?

Stab_Master_Arson · #7 09-26-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedfrags.com

I have seen these in action at the LFS. Not sure I would recommend them...this light is very small, maybe only 8" across and would really only act as a spotlight on a 30" tank. Would be good for a refugium that required metal halide. Have you considered this one?

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl...C+4+x+24W.html

If this is not for you, I would consider trying to gind a single 250W or 400W pendant used - they are often at least 4-8 inches wider and would provide you much better coverage.

What are you planning for actinics if you go with a single pendant? Gotta love the actincs.

Alright wickedfrags, I think you sold me. 96 watts just didn't seem like much light but from what I have been reading, the efficiency and "PAR" makes a light. I might go with the 36" one instead though

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl...C+4+x+39W.html

It will add a little extra power and leave overhang so I can rest it across my tank rim, and do away with the cheap plastic canopy 65w pc is on. I will have to see when I go to J&L on Saturday.

What kind of SPS do you think this will support? Monti etc?