I think I've been had...

[jh1929]

The guy at the lfs said I needed roughly 2watts/gallon, so I got a JBJ hood with 2-96w bulbs (one daylight, one actinic). From the further reading I should have done beforehand, I don't think this is enough, Supposing I cant return these lights, what should I add?
65 gallon 36x18x24
Thanks,
Jayme
oh yeah, its for a reef setup

 

[slick]

JH your lfs should let you return your lights as long as you have a reciept. And if not they should at least give you store credit. I can't remember what size your tank is but there are a lot of options. I'm new myself and went with pc's myself because they run a lot cooler than some others. You said you got 2 pc's you could try find a light system with 4 lights if you want to stick with pc's. Good luck

 

[broomer5]

Looks like you have the
JBJ PL-JG3-29 FORMOSA DX 96W*2 1 6500K DAYLIGHT/1 7100K BLUE 192 WATTS 36"L x 9"W x 3.2"H
You say your tank width is 18 inches.
Depending on what you have hanging on the back of the tank - could you possibly add another unit - same as you have - and have two hoods mounted ???
That would give you 384 watts.
Two units may not comfortably fit on top of your tank though.
If not - I suppose if the lfs will not take them back - you could keep the hood and somehow supplement with other lighting. Could be a little tricky.

 

[glenn]

The guy at your LFS was ok if you where going to do a mostly FO tank. For a reef you should be looking at about 5 - 7 watts per gallon. THat will give you enough lighting for most all corals and anything else you would put into your reef.
VPWoodwork1

 

[jh1929]

Originally posted by broomer5:
[QB
If not - I suppose if the lfs will not take them back - you could keep the hood and somehow supplement with other lighting. Could be a little tricky.[/QB]<hr></blockquote>
What if I were to build a canopy, could I then add say a single MH retrofit like one of those superspots, while keeping the hood and just changing the daylight to an actinic? Or will not enough of the light from the MH reach the water that way?

 

[broomer5]

If you were to build a canopy - that would certainly give you many more options.
A tall canopy with (2) 175 watt MH and your existing (2) PC's with actinic bulbs would be nice.
I know you probably don't want to dismantle your new hood, but you could canibalize the ballast, end caps, wiring and such - install this into a new DIY wood canopy, add the MH retrofit kit and bulbs - and in my opinion have one nice set up for a 65 reef.
This is what I am planning to do someday - so I'm sure my view on this is somewhat slanted
Or another option would be as you mentioned, to hang a MH pendent or two behind the hood, although I think ultimately the new canopy would look nicer, and give your reef tank much better even light distribution/coverage.