larger tank, same lighting?

[rollagore]

I have a 55g reef tank that is 20in deep 48in long and 13in wide with the 48" Nova Extreme Pro 6x54watt = 324w.
Could I upgrade to say 150g tank that has the same depth 20in same length 48in but much wide?
I understand my watts per gallon would change but if things are still getting the focused lighting would it matter?
If i build up the reef and put a clam say 5in from the waters surface would this be ok?
Any help or insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

 

[salt210]

I believe that the 150 is going to be either longer or deeper than the 55. it will have to be different in at least one of those

 

[rollagore]

I should have said it would be a custom made tank I guess. the lights will fit my question is will they be a suitable light source if things are placed right and the depth is still the same?

 

[mr_x]

if it's the same depth, then the light will work. but how will you light it longways? won't the tank be 6' long?
i re-read your initial post. metweezer is right, you'll need atleast 1 more fixture. this tank will be 36" from front to back. atleast 1 more nova extreme pro.

 

[metweezer]

If your length and depth are going to be the same then you tank is going to be something crazy like 36" wide. A 13" wide fixture is going to leave too much area unlighted. IMO Also you will be reduced to about 2 watts per gallon. You may need another nova extreme pro. MH???

 

[rollagore]

here maybe this will help. this is what i am thinkn. a large row of live rock centered in the tank and the lights centered above it, havening areas as tall as 5in from the waters surface for clams and what ever else might need more focused lighting.
does this help or make sense?

 

[mr_x]

then it will work, but again, the tank will have a fair amount of dark areas also. why would you want to have such a large tank, and waste all of that area?

 

[cmaxwell39]

Also, the dimensions you gave in your drawings would come out to 108 gal, not 150. Agree with X on this one, why would you want to have a nice large tank like that and have so much of it unlit?

 

[markeo99]

I believe you can get either a 90 or 120 with the 4 foot specs dont know about depth

 

[cmaxwell39]

Height on both a 90 and a 120 is 24"

 

[metweezer]

Just found a conversion chart. 150 gal (149.61 actual). 48"L, 20"H, 36"W. You are going to have quite a bit of your tank unlit. You will need a custom stand also.

 

[emeralcrab]

I have a 4 foot MH (2 250W) on my 210g 6 foot tank. Light sits in the center and the ends are darker, IMO I love the look. The ends are darker, the center bright where all the corals are. It looks awesome, to me more natural. Dark area's for the fish that like it darker. My corals look great and are growing, sebae anemone is wonderful also. So must be getting enough light. That being said, I do have aT-5 light 6 bulb that I will be putting on it this winter when I have time. But for now everything is doing great and I like that way it looks.

 

[rollagore]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2732009
then it will work, but again, the tank will have a fair amount of dark areas also. why would you want to have such a large tank, and waste all of that area?

The lighting issue is just a temp thing. I just wanted to see if it would work for say maybe a year till I can save for much better lighting.
I like a lot of open water area in the tank along with a good bit off rock. I like seeing some fish get in to a all out sprint. Thats the reason there will be so much open water space.
keep the comments coming if you all feel like it

 

[mr_x]

then i would suggest a 6' tank. fish aren't going to get into much of a sprint in 4' of water. if you have to, hang the light over part of the 6' tank until you can get money for a 6' fixture.
or, purchase a used halide clip on or pendant and use that for the other side of the tank, until you can buck up for the t-5 unit. who knows...you might even decide to sell the nova pro and come over to the "other side" with us halide folks!

 

[rollagore]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2732961
then i would suggest a 6' tank. fish aren't going to get into much of a sprint in 4' of water. if you have to, hang the light over part of the 6' tank until you can get money for a 6' fixture.
or, purchase a used halide clip on or pendant and use that for the other side of the tank, until you can buck up for the t-5 unit. who knows...you might even decide to sell the nova pro and come over to the "other side" with us halide folks!
I like MH there just to hot to have in the house. I live in texas so its even worse!