Need some advice on lighting

zena lenz

I have just purchased a 300 gallon tank and am wanting to convert it to a saltwater tank. I alread have a 90 gallon but everything came with it, so I am looking for advice on what would be needed as far as lighting, filters etc to get this thing up and running. It is 86" long 65" tall and 26" deep.

Nereaga

Hello,

We really need to know more about what are the exact plans for this tank. FO, FOWLR, or REEF. Lighting and filtration change with each one.

Brad

zena lenz

I am hoping to venture in to doing a reef system

Nereaga

WOW! Thats gonna be a big reef! AND VERY EXPENSIVE!

With how deep your tank is, IMO there is only one way to go with lighting, Metal Halide. Now Mh lights are expensive to buy, expensive to run, and tend to heat up the water in some setups.

I would suggest if you want a mixed reef(SPS,LPS,Anenomes, Softies) to go with at least 3-400w Mh lights. This would be a minimum, 3 watts per gallon. Since your tank is so deep, you might even want to get more... or supplement with VHO or T-5's.

Filtration If it were my tank, would be the biggest sump I could fit under the stand. This would house a BIG in-sump protein skimmer, heaters, refugium, and all other equipment. This is to keep equipment out of the display as much as possible, It also adds more water volume, which is never a bad thing.

I would also do natural filtration in the tank. Meaning at least 1 lb of live rock PER gallon of water... (This gets expensive obviously) And a deep sandbed.

I have spent upwards to $2000 and counting on my 75g reef.... Maybe more...

Don't tell my girlfriend!

zena lenz

Nereaga-Thank you so much for your suggestions I spent most of yesterday trying to figure out the lights and It's good to know I was on the right path as I was looking at the metal halide lights, I was thinking about buying a 36" 1 x 400 watt/2 x 39 power compact lights/4 lunar and then a 48" 2 x 400 watt/4 x 54 power compact lights/6 lunar. I also came across a 72" light which I wasn't to sure about as my tank was 86" long, I didn't know whether going for the shorter length would cause any dead areas of light-Just looking at the lights I have kinda figured my new project was going to be expensive which was why I thought it might be better to do the 2 lights, If i'm going to do this I want to to it right!!-any opinions on the lights?

las4444

Like Nereaga, said I would do a retro light kit that mounts on the hood. A manufactured all in one light is going to be challenge based on your tank. It will be close to a wash in price, but thats what I would do.

Also, like nereaga, I have 2,000.00 invested in my 75. My wife turns her ear when I explain to people the costs involved with a saltwater tank.

Nereaga

Hey Zena,

That 72'' light will definately leave some dead spots in your tank. For a single Mh light, they cover an area of 2'x2'. Thats why I suggested using 4 to get good light coverage in your tank. I would not go with 250w bulbs with the tank being so deep, 400w will be a must, IMO.

I would not look into an all in one fixture as Las said, it will be better to mount them directly to your canopy OR a DIY light rack across the top. Look into retrofit's, you will have to do a bit of wiring yourself, but it gives you more options....

Something along the lines of this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html

CBRrider

I have 2 400w Metal halides on my 180gal ... I'm a big fan of M.H. myself and wont use anything else so.. (IMHO) 4 400w would be super sweet on your 300gal. PFO makes really good Ballasts and I like XM Bulbs. Retro fit kits would be good...--->CBR
Check out thes links..
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...d~vendor~.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquari...reflector.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html

zena lenz

OK I'm back-damn work was interferring with my light search. I came across this type of light on ebay and was wondering if I got 4 of these if that would work.

METAL HALIDE 400 watt MH AQUARIUM LIGHT 14K 14000KADVANCED HOOD WON'T BURN YOUR EYES OUT! 10K or 20K too

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR HELP