2 x 250W MH Over 90gal Tall???????

cjcoopertag

cjcoopertag

Member
Im looking to put 250 watt bulbs over my deep sea aquatics tank which is 90 gal and 32" tall. I would be mounting in my hood and would be around 8" off of the water surface from the bottom of the fixture. Does anyone think that the 250W is to much for this system? Thanks for all the help.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
not too much. Depending on the bulb, ballast, reflector combo it could be not enough depending on the aquascaping/coral placement/type of corals. What are the other dimensions? If its 3ft or less the long way and front to back and you plan on keeping sps you'd probably be better off and simplified with a single 400w and large wide spread reflector (full size coralvue lumen bright, lumenarc, Hamilton Cozumel/Cabo Sun ect.
 
cjcoopertag

cjcoopertag

Member
Thanks for the input. Im not sure what I was thinking on the tank dimensions as it is a 48.5 x 18.5 x 25. I will probably also add two fans per side on the hood with two pushing and two pulling to keep it cooler. What would you say would be best for lighting, single end or double end?
 
cjcoopertag

cjcoopertag

Member
I've got a friend of mine that owns a local fab shop here in town and I am looking at making my own reflectors as well....why is Aluminum always used? I am looking at using .018" Mirror Stainless Steel, it will be a lot easier to clean up in the future as well....any thoughts?
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
There is not a whole lot of difference between single and double ended.
If you had to choose on the basis of efficiency and PAR, the DE would probably win, but not by any amount that is significant enough to justify them over SE in a DIY scenario. It sounds like you are planning in hand building this system... I'd go SE, they are just that much easier to work with.
The scale can also tip either way depending on the reflector used. A decent reflector on an SE lamp will outperform a crappy one on a DE lamp any day of the week.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
If you use single ended bulbs unshielded they have ZERO disadvantage in PAR all other things being equal(bulb brand/kelvin and ballast). It really comes down to space. If you have limited space (want to use VHO supplements, small tank ect) go with the double ended. If space is of no concern go with the single ended. SE have a broader range of reflectors and bulbs to choose from UNLESS you plan on using a HQI ballast in which case there are only a few ideal choices of SE bulbs (radium, sunburst, aquaconnect).
Either way 250wx2 is the ideal halide set up
doesn't polish stainless steel turn a goldish tarnished color when heated (at least my polished SS muffler/tips do)? I dont think stainless reflects nearly as well, at least not long term. they probably dont dissapate heat as well. Stick with the norm, dont try and ger innovative on a 15yr old formula (probably much longer if you include horticulture).
 
dedecv3

dedecv3

Member
What about 250w x 2 over a 75 gallon with an open top?? Sorry to thread jack but I just set up a 75 gallon and am going to look at a 250w x 2 tonight that I found on CL. Didnt know if that would be too big.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by dedecv3
http:///forum/post/3162238
What about 250w x 2 over a 75 gallon with an open top?? Sorry to thread jack but I just set up a 75 gallon and am going to look at a 250w x 2 tonight that I found on CL. Didnt know if that would be too big.
they will work fine over a 75g. besides 4" theres no difference. the open top should really help with heat dissipation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top