1X175 Hamilton MH on 75 Gal

[re_vogel]

I have been given a 1x175 hamilton with 2x32 PC's. I know that the sides would be somewhat dimmer but is this an OK setup it I keep the corals in the middle two feet

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by re_vogel
I have been given a 1x175 hamilton with 2x32 PC's. I know that the sides would be somewhat dimmer but is this an OK setup it I keep the corals in the middle two feet
What size tank are we talkin about???? Im assuming a 4 foot wide???

 

[babyb]

i think its says in in the title( 75 gal)
i have 175 wts of mh ( not sure the kind) one one side of a 55 if that gives you any idea?

 

[maxalmon]

You'll be fine, just play around with coral placement. Another visual trick is to pile all the LR so that you have sandy areas on each side, then you don't have to worry to much about dimmer areas.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by BabyB
i think its says in in the title( 75 gal)
Yeah, I got that.... But there are different dimensions for 75 gallon tanks.

 

[maxalmon]

75g "Standard" is 48' wide and you should have 2 lights for complete coverage..........75g "Show tank" is 36' wide and a single lamp will light the tnk fairly well, but not very deep, but thats ok for lower light loving corals

 

[re_vogel]

Thanks for the input. I like the liverock Idea. The tank is a standard 75 gal. Eventually I will get a 2nd MH but as you all know they are expensive.
How high above the water should I place the fixture...
What Bulb should I use for best results
Thanks again

 

[maxalmon]

Ushio's and phoenix are great bulbs. Figure how to place the fixture this way, the closer to the water, the smaller the area the light will illuminate, the higher up you hang the fixture, the wider the area. Typical height is from 8" to 12"

 

[emm0909]

Don't put it over the center piece on the top of the tank. It'll melt off so fast.

 

[maxalmon]

It should be a glass brace, not plastic.........Not ideal to have it mounted over the center brace, as long as it's glass you'll be fine...Thats why a little bit higher mounting will work better

 

[mujtba]

you will be fine.. all you do is put corals that need more lights to center, and less towards sides.. there are many softies which require less light to grow.. so you're in good shape. 10"-12" is good height.

 

[re_vogel]

thanks, anyone have a good 1st coral suggestion

 

[maxalmon]

You looking for stony or soft?
Stony corals = Candycane, frogspawn, hammer, some forms of encrusting Monti's are all good starter corals
Softies, zoa's, colt, zenia, mushrooms, green star polyps, and ricordias are great choices

 

[re_vogel]

What about a Clam???

 

[mujtba]

put a clam closer to the MHs and ur cool....