Lighting - starting over

[Henry]

I have a 180gal FO tank with 150lbs of liverock. I am looking to begin
adding some corals in the next 3-4 months and am looking to replace the
lighting. Currently I have a standard glass canopy with 6 30watt strip
lights. I have read articles stating 2-6 watts per gallon as a starting
point but that can be a huge cost and energy difference.
I am planning to build a wood canopy so I can remove the glass plates and
mount either MH or PC lighting. My current thinking is 3 watts / gallon and
to put 2 250w MH and then 4 96w PC for fill. The tank has a 1/2" thick
glass brace in the center that will block 10" of the center from direct
light. The brace is clear but will filter some of the light.
I am concerned about the bulbs of the MH lights because I have a 10" French
Angel and a Big Eye who both like to splash a bit. I have thought of
putting in a glass plate below the bulbs in the the canopy but that seems to
trap heat and reduce the light. One of the things I like about the MH
lighting is the surface reflections on the sand bottom.

Comments? Suggestions?
Thanks - Henry

[Marc Levenson]

Henry, we need just a little more information. Can you post the tank's
dimensions?

Marc


Henry wrote:

> I have a 180gal FO tank with 150lbs of liverock. I am looking to begin
> adding some corals in the next 3-4 months and am looking to replace the
> lighting. Currently I have a standard glass canopy with 6 30watt strip
> lights. I have read articles stating 2-6 watts per gallon as a starting
> point but that can be a huge cost and energy difference.
> I am planning to build a wood canopy so I can remove the glass plates and
> mount either MH or PC lighting. My current thinking is 3 watts / gallon and
> to put 2 250w MH and then 4 96w PC for fill. The tank has a 1/2" thick
> glass brace in the center that will block 10" of the center from direct
> light. The brace is clear but will filter some of the light.
> I am concerned about the bulbs of the MH lights because I have a 10" French
> Angel and a Big Eye who both like to splash a bit. I have thought of
> putting in a glass plate below the bulbs in the the canopy but that seems to
> trap heat and reduce the light. One of the things I like about the MH
> lighting is the surface reflections on the sand bottom.
>
> Comments? Suggestions?
> Thanks - Henry

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Henry]

Marc,
The tank is 72" x 24" x 24". It currently has 4" of sand under 1/2 of
the tank and 3" of crushed coral under the other half. I am taking the
crushed coral out 25% at a time.
Henry
"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Henry, we need just a little more information. Can you post the tank's
> dimensions?
>
> Marc
>
>
> Henry wrote:
>
> > I have a 180gal FO tank with 150lbs of liverock. I am looking to begin
> > adding some corals in the next 3-4 months and am looking to replace the
> > lighting. Currently I have a standard glass canopy with 6 30watt strip
> > lights. I have read articles stating 2-6 watts per gallon as a starting
> > point but that can be a huge cost and energy difference.
> > I am planning to build a wood canopy so I can remove the glass plates
and
> > mount either MH or PC lighting. My current thinking is 3 watts / gallon
and
> > to put 2 250w MH and then 4 96w PC for fill. The tank has a 1/2" thick
> > glass brace in the center that will block 10" of the center from direct
> > light. The brace is clear but will filter some of the light.
> > I am concerned about the bulbs of the MH lights because I have a 10"
French
> > Angel and a Big Eye who both like to splash a bit. I have thought of
> > putting in a glass plate below the bulbs in the the canopy but that
seems to
> > trap heat and reduce the light. One of the things I like about the MH
> > lighting is the surface reflections on the sand bottom.
> >
> > Comments? Suggestions?
> > Thanks - Henry
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Henry,

You want three 250w bulbs evenly spaced over your 72" long tank. At 9" off the
water, or higher, you won't need any glass dividers between the bulbs and
potential splashing. You do have to be careful to not burn yourself, because it
can happen.

Supplement with VHO or PCs, and you'll be happy.

Marc


Henry wrote:

> Marc,
> The tank is 72" x 24" x 24". It currently has 4" of sand under 1/2 of
> the tank and 3" of crushed coral under the other half. I am taking the
> crushed coral out 25% at a time.
> Henry
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Henry, we need just a little more information. Can you post the tank's
> > dimensions?
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Henry wrote:
> >
> > > I have a 180gal FO tank with 150lbs of liverock. I am looking to begin
> > > adding some corals in the next 3-4 months and am looking to replace the
> > > lighting. Currently I have a standard glass canopy with 6 30watt strip
> > > lights. I have read articles stating 2-6 watts per gallon as a starting
> > > point but that can be a huge cost and energy difference.
> > > I am planning to build a wood canopy so I can remove the glass plates
> and
> > > mount either MH or PC lighting. My current thinking is 3 watts / gallon
> and
> > > to put 2 250w MH and then 4 96w PC for fill. The tank has a 1/2" thick
> > > glass brace in the center that will block 10" of the center from direct
> > > light. The brace is clear but will filter some of the light.
> > > I am concerned about the bulbs of the MH lights because I have a 10"
> French
> > > Angel and a Big Eye who both like to splash a bit. I have thought of
> > > putting in a glass plate below the bulbs in the the canopy but that
> seems to
> > > trap heat and reduce the light. One of the things I like about the MH
> > > lighting is the surface reflections on the sand bottom.
> > >
> > > Comments? Suggestions?
> > > Thanks - Henry
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com