Reef Lighting Q's

I just took the plunge and ordered this lighting system for my tank setup (100gl about 20" deep)

Current USA 48 inch Outer Orbit 2x150w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x54W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights (48in )

I was wondering if this would be enough to accommodate a reef setup with soft corals, and if possible hard corals. If not what lighting system would you guys recommend.

Thanks

 

How wide is your tank? I would be careful on what type of hard corals you get as this may not be enough light for the more light demanding SPS corals.

You should fine keeping softies though.

 

Glad to see you found way here.

Awesome Lighting system!

I would think you keep anything requiring high lighting (sps/clams etc...) under it with a 100 gal tank!!!

Might even be too much for many softies if not shielded somewhat by rock or other.

Make sure to adjust new corals to it gently.

Good investment...good job.


Scott

 

Thanks for your replies

Tank is 60" wide

Also do any of you know how hot this particular fixture gets?

 

How hot is it? Well if your room is kept at 72 degrees and the room is also at 60% humidity that fixture should get to approximately 247 degrees.

Just kidding, I really don't know but it does have metal halides in it so it's going to put off some heat. You might want to keep a close eye on the water temp at first to make sure it doesn't over heat the tank...

 

Is the 150w ok or would bumpong up to 250w make a big difference?

 

Just depends on what you want to keep. If you are going to get into clams and SPS corals I would go with the 250 but if not no reason to add the extra heat and electricity costs.

 

the 250w would afford more oportunity in the future, specific corals need a specific par so without a meter there is no way of telling

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I am running the 36" Outer Orbit, similar set-up with the t5's, but I have the 2x250w MHs. I have a 72 gal high, and with the dual 250's it looks like the sun in my living room! 8) In fact, if you drive by the house, it looks like a UFO coming in for a landing...

I have the lights mounted on the supplied legs, about 3-4 inches off the top of the tank, with a Home Depot-special light diffuser. Haven't noticed any significant temp change in the tank, and the room is a consistent 70-72 degrees.

 

Well I realized that I couldn't just put a fixture in my canopy do I retrofitted a 250w mh lights with 2 75w vho on each side. Now not only can I keep pretty much any coral, I can redirect air traffic

Thanks for all your input