adding MH lights question

[jayinh]

could i add a couple of MH lights to my current tank setup. i was thinking of mounting 2 of the lights that have the mounting arm built on the(i think called pods) and just leave my pc lights with atinics still in place. is this a bad idea or does not matter? i have a tank built into a wall and have space behind the tank so i dont need a custom hood. thanks jay

 

[bang guy]

Sounds great to me.

 

[aquaguy24]

i agree with bang guy..u can run 14k or 20k bulbs and u won't even need the supplimentation of actinics unless u want to...

 

[jayinh]

thanks, man i love this site....you guys rock!

 

[aquaman67]

You could leave the PC lights and use them for a Dusk and Dawn effect by having them come on an hour before and leave on an hour after the MH lights.

 

[jayinh]

thats a good idea, thanks now i just need a cheap pair!

 

[jayinh]

ok would 2 150 hqi lights be a good choice? thinking of future corals. i dont know off the top of my head the depth of the 90. also how do iknow which bulb to get (14k - 20k )sorry i a noob here.

 

[iyachtuxivm]

IMO 150 watts would be a little low for a 90 gal. 250 would be better. But if you can arange the tank with the corals that need more light up higher then it would be ok. If you go 150 use the 14k you will get better growth.

 

[jayinh]

do you think if i used 2 150 watt lamps i would be better, or 2 250 watt lamps. i have someone local who has a coralife HQI clamp style light that is a 150 watter, i would then track another 1 down , or i could do 3 of those across the back of the tank.... im new here so please bear with me .

 

[iyachtuxivm]

150 wont penitrate the water depth like the 250 will. But you should have enough light to keep just about anything you want. Just keep those light lovers in the upper third of the tank. With the 250 you wouldnt have to worry about that. And I would just use 2 if my rememberance of a 90 gal is correct, its not that long, and its deep, Right?

 

[jayinh]

yeah its 4' wide and pretty deep, ok so more watts per bulb will = deeper penetration of each bulb. good info, thanks

 

[reaper591]

I've used 150's over a 75 before and to be honest wasn't too happy with the spread or intesity I got from it. There were "dim" spots to either side, and in the middle. The fixture was a Current 2x150w MH w/ 2 130w PC actinics. Not a cheap fixture by any means, but not top of the line either. If you were planning on doing the clamp on 150's I would think you would get even less spread, from what I have heard they don't have the best reflectors on them. Be wary, in lighting the old saying "you get what you pay for" is extremely true. Not all ballasts or bulbs are created equal. even if they are stamped 150 watt electronic ballast, or 14k 150 watt bulb, they differ from one to another. Take your time, save up a few extra bucks for a good fixture, it could save you alot of money in the long run especially if you buy a cheap one now...just to go out and buy another later because you were not happy.

 

[crazy4reefs]

I found a site that had the coralife HQI clamp style lights 150 watts. They now have the same type of light in 250 watts with lunar lights built in. I wish they had the 250 out when I bought mine. With a 90 gallon tank I do think you should go with the 250 watts, I think you would be much happier and along with your other lights I would think you could keep just about anything anywhere in the tank. As far as the bulb since you already have pc atinics I would go with either 10k or 14k. I think the 20k would make your tank look to blue. The 14k also have a bluish look to them but I think it really depends and what brand. I have coralife 14k and I am not really happy with it. I am going to change it to a Pheonix 14k because from what I have read and seen they have a lot more of the blue color to them. good luck