35 gallon hexagon tank

I have a 35 gallon hexagon tank, how can I get more light to my tank? Right now I only have a small 15 watt bulb on it.

 

I think I'll leave this to the Hex Master Matt. But this is a bump

BTW [glow=red,2,300]Welcome to 3REEF[/glow]

 

Hex Master Matt?
Wow I had no idea.
;D

@Heather how wide is your tank, how long of light bulb can we put across it?

Also, do you have a limited budget? How much can you spend on a light?

What kind of corals do you want to keep?

That info would help us out a lot.

I bought a used 20g(?) hex tank last year and started with power-compact lighting and now I am using a metal halide lamp that I used to have on another tank.

Thanks for joining!

[flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

 

My current bulb is 18'' long. I have a slightly limited budget but I want to keep my tank as healthy as possible. I do not know yhat types of coral I would like to keep, something that is not going to die easily. What kinds of coral do you suggest?

 

Ok. Let me know the diameter of the top of your tank and the width of one of the side panes - that way I will know how big of a light fixture we can put on it. Who makes the tank? I can probably look up the dimensions knowing that.

As for corals, probably want to start out with the usual - leathers, xenias, star polyps, shrooms, that sort of thing, but ultimately it will be determined by your light and filtration.

 

Heather are the dimensions 23x20x24?

 

Tons of choices for mushrooms, polyps, leathers, xenia, etc. as Matt said for low light corals. I have all those in my 20 gallon tank with 110 watts of 10,000k PC lighting. Everything is very happy!

 

Is it possible to have a metal halide bulb without an expensive fixture, is it possible to make my own? I have to run a heater almost 24/7, would metal halides make it too hot even without an heater? I will check those measurements as soon as I can.

 

You know I was thinking a halide setup would be best on your hex too. Mainly because of the short width of the tank and the fact that they are usually very deep tanks.

I have a 150w on mine, but that is mainly because I already had it. If I didn't I probably would have a 75w halide.

On yours I think a 150w or 175w would be excellent.

Here is a link to a 150 watt PFO brand retro fit.

(I would replace the bulb it comes with with a 10k bulb)

You may be able to find a 175w halide pendant for cheaper.

The trick you will have is how to suspend the light or make a hood tall enough for the halide lamp.

Halides should be 8-10 inches off the water surface.

It will heat your tank regardless and fans may be required to keep it cool.

Since I have a 150w on a tank with only around 15 gallons of water volume, I had to buy a little chiller to keep it cool. In your case, I bet fans would be enough.

$200 is $200, but halides are the best lights and you will be able to keep anything.

matt

 

I just looked at that site and they have 175w setups for cheaper than the link I posted.


EDIT:

This one is interesting too and all you have to do is hang it:

20" Won PSL 150 Metal Halide HQI