180 gallon lighting system idea

goingcoastal

goingcoastal

Member
read this earlier......
It may be a fair rule of thumb to say that a typical garden reef (mixed species) aquarium needs at least 7 to 10 watts of reef quality light per gallon of water. Apply the higher end of this rule to systems with a greater population of shallow water reef species, such as colorful Acropora, white Pom-Pom Xenia, and yellow Leather corals (Sarcophyton elegans).
so my 180 would need up to 1800 watts for total tank.
so 4 metal halides at 400 watts would be 1600 so fit inside the watts asked.
also running them at 14,000 each.
plus 2 t5 blue front and back of lid
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Sounds like way too much light to me. What are the dimensions of the 180?
Also 1800 watts would max out a typical 15 amp circuit on any home.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
A typical 180 mixed reef wouldn't need that much light. I believe that is pretty much overkill, and would not be very good for your electric bill. You would probably also have to use two 20 amp poweroutlets on different circuits to handle just the lighting. What I would suggest is three 250w 14k metal halides backed by T5HO lights. I think 400w metal halides have a tendency to burn some SPS corals. I also think that lighting is only half of the equation when it comes to the care and maintenance of these creatures. The other half comes from feeding and high quality water parameters.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Watts per gallon rule hasn't been valid since people got serious about reflectors.
I agree with the snake. 250 watt halides with good reflectors would be enough. If you want nothing but clams and SPS them 400's.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Yep, 3 - 250's with some supplemental actinics and good reflectors should be plenty to get you started. Although if you were willing to shell out the cash for 4-400w halides + supplements you might want to consider looking into reef capable LED lighting. Far more efficient and a lot less heat issues to contend with.
 
goingcoastal

goingcoastal

Member
tank is 2ft 2ft 6ft...so 3 or 4 250watt at 14k should do the trick? i was torn between 400 and 250 watt..also gonna run two t5 blue one in front and one in back....the thing is this is a new custom built lid for this tank and i want to try and get it right the first time i put all this on it lol
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
When you say lid do you mean that your building a custom canopy for the tank and everything is going to mount inside the canopy?
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/388627/180-gallon-lighting-system-idea#post_3428642
Yep, 3 - 250's with some supplemental actinics and good reflectors should be plenty to get you started. Although if you were willing to shell out the cash for 4-400w halides + supplements you might want to consider looking into reef capable LED lighting. Far more efficient and a lot less heat issues to contend with.
The LED idea is great. I also really highly recommend them!
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Agree 400's are way overkill. LEDs are more than capable of supporting lighting needs for even your most demanding corals.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/388627/180-gallon-lighting-system-idea#post_3428858
WELL...If you decide to go with a 250W Metal Halide T5 combo with moonlights.....Let me know....In about a month I may have a heck of a deal for you.....LOLOLOL
LOL..... gone fishin, if you don't know about this, meowzer has her own LED build.
You can find it here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/387353/meowzers-led-build
 
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