final MH lighting shove....

[freeride7]

I know this has been beat to death, but I know there are some good quality opinions out there.....so......I am torn between the following:
I have a 50 Gal, 36"lx18"H
I have a choice between a 2-175MH 2 55W PC set up.....or......a 1-250MH 2 55 PC set up.
I do not want to be restircted with corals. I figured with the 2 175 at each end, my tank would get an excellent distribution of light. The 175 set up (if calculations are correct) works out to 9.2 W per G. Will the 175's still penetrate the bottom of the tank and give me the shimmer effect?
I have been researching alot on this board, reading old threads....been hearing that the 250W is more for the deeper tank set up's, but also hearing not to "cheap out" when it copmes to lighting.
Any opinions to firm up my decision would be great!
Tks
T

 

[kreach]

Personally, I would go for the 2 175 MH-2 55 PC set. With two MH bulbs, you'll get light coverage across the entire length of your tank. And your tank is shallow enough that the 175 should penetrate all the way to the bottom and give you the shimmer effect you are wanting.

 

[attml]

You could get a 250w dual ballast which has seperate switches for each MH and just run 1 bulb for now over your current tank and then when you upgrade the size of your tank you could add the second bulb when you are ready.

 

[freeride7]

unfortunatly the 250 set up is configured with the MH at one end and the 2 55 running on either side the length of the housing. Another option of course is to go with 2-250's but that seems like alot for a 50 gal....12.2 W per G!!
ANy other suggestions?

 

[jmesmcm]

It was only temporary but I ran 2 400W on a 58 gallon tank (36*18*21) to
acclimate my corals to MH having upgraded from PCs and it was awsome. The acros loved it but definately heated the tank up a bit. Thank god for the chiller even with 2 fans running.

 

[freeride7]

yupp, heat is another one of my concerns......right now with it being winter I will be fine, but in the Summer......would 2 175's put out as much heat as 2-250's??
I am thinking the lights will be about 8-12 inches above the tank....still a big heat issue?

 

[rick58]

Both are excellent choices - I would go with the 2 MH set up.

 

[robchuck]

freeride,
I'm ugrading to MH over my 65 (36"L x 18"W x 24"H) soon. I ultimately purchased a 2x175W setup instead of a 1x250W setup for several reasons. I really would have liked to have gone w/ one 250W light, but I have an AGA with a plastic centerbrace that would have created a nasty shadow. Also, the light is tougher to distrubute to both ends over a 36" tank, unless you flare the reflector, and raise the lights very high above the tank, reducing their efficiency. With your tank only being 18" tall, I don't think you'd have any problems with light penetration on your tank with 2x175W MH.
One other option to consider would be 2x150W HQI lamps. The wattage on these is lower, but the PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) ratings on 150W DE (double-ended or HQI) lamps is close to PAR ratings of 250W SE (single-ended or mogul-based) lamps. From my research on MH lighting, PAR is one of the most important statistics to look at when purchasing MH.

 

[freeride7]

good point with the single 250....I also have the plastic center brace which would lend to a nasty shadow...hmmmmm.
I am not fimiliar with the HQI? Are they a type of MH? Different idea all together?

 

[sparky0028]

Kip
I have been considering adding MH bulbs too but I do have some questions. The HQI bulbs -- how close to the tank can the be, I have a very shallow canopy (about six inches) and can they be added to an existing reflector. Would you recommend the HQI over moguls and which put out less heat, I have two 3 " ice cap fans running now with PC lights (2 at 96). I have also read the HQI need a UV shield and can this be a dyi install. My tank is 24"d x 48"wx 24"h and would like to add some corals, lps, and clams. Thanks, also where can I get the info on the PAR ratings of the asst. lights

 

[jauringer]

I agree with the 2 double ended pendants. I have 2 giesemann nova II over a 46 bow(36w x 21 d)and i couldn't be happier. If i had to choose from the following set ups i would go with the 2x 175 watters. your tank is shallow and it would evenly spread light across the tank. you would not have to pack every thing in the center.

 

[freeride7]

yah I think I am sold with the 2-175 set up. However I am pricing out the 2-250 set up as well. If I am able to operate each light individually like stated above, I could always just run the one bulb.....
Anyone heard of Hamilton products? They are the manufactuer I am dealing with right now.