MH is a must now

[Saltysteve]

Lots of good input, appreciate it.
Chris:

That single bulb lights that tank up beautifully. Sure can see the center brace shadowing though. I was talking with some guys, a few ideas came forward. The first one:
Run 1 250 watt 14000k MH bulb slightly offset from center and then install my 4 X65 Watt PC lights and ballasts on either side of the brace, run 50/50 bulbs.

2nd idea:
Same as above (which is a great idea, I thought) but construct the hood to overhang over the edge of the tank to provide support so I can cut the center brace

Any input?

[Funky_Fish14]

Hey Steve,

The amount of light I get in that tank from the completely closed hood(and im sure you saw my reflector aswell) is awesome. Like I said though, the center brace shawdow is actually not as visible as it seems, here take a look at these pics:





As you can see it isnt that bad. Infact its not even as bad as it looks in those pics. I have a new aquascape now and the shaddow is hardly noticeable, but unfortunately, no matter what i do I cant get the camera to show it properly. Right now in the tank, to find the shadow, you have to look for it. Im not moving my rocks anymore because im very happy with the shadow being almost un-noticeable.

Its too bad your wayyyyy too far to come by and see it in person. I personally am quite please with having a single 400W 10K XM SE over the tank and no other lights! I know there is a slight chance you may not believe my word on the shadow but I have no reason to b.s. you about it.

The idea about offsetting the bulb a little is a good one and I was thinking about doing that at first but unfortunately I didnt have any other light fixtures.

I have thought about cutting the center brace myself but my dad(an engineer, hehe) thinks it will compromise the strenth of the tank too much and I didnt want to build the stand/hood so that the top of the tank is pretty much then attached to the hood/stand, it would be a PITA to move the tank, and the hood theoretically should not come off if it is the support for the tank.

On a side note, I want more blue in the tank so I will be adding a 48" 20K or actinic/blue T5 in there just behind the halide. I think adding this with some light comming from the sides will decrease the shadow even more than it is currently in the tank and make it almost invisible.

Just my 2 cents, but HTH.

Chris

Edit: Steve I noticed you said your center brace was 1.5".......I just measured mine and it is 2" so your shadow should also be smaller than mine.

Also, im not saying dont go with 2x250W halides.........if you do.....all the better, im just giving you pros from my side since I know you do want to save money. The corals even on the ends doing extremely well. I have a green fungia happy as can be on the far left right now and the mogul socket is partly blocking some light from it, and I also have a birdsnest colony mid-level in the tank off to a side(12" from the right) and I recently fragged it alot and it has already grown back little tips(fragged it about 3wks ago).

Wow long edit haha. Again, just my 2 cents.

Chris

[Saltysteve]

Thanks Chris
Sure appreciate the input, great looking tank!
I'm going to go for it, one single 250 for now with the 260watt PC's inside the hood as well. I was thinking the extra light from the PC's may cancel out the shadow as well. Looking forward to it

Thanks again!