If you could do it again what would you do

Snoop Dog · #1 10-19-2005, 01:24 AM

Well I think Ive decided on a 30L x 30W x 18 H tank,

My only concern is the lighting. Im thinking acro dominated,

What set up would be your recomendations? I am going to suspend the fixture from the ceiling, no retrofits.

Is a pendant with a 400HQI enough? I am concerned about the tank having a spot light effect, and that the corners will be fairly dark?

Ruth · #2 10-19-2005, 01:47 AM

I don't think you are going to get enough coverage with one penant and think you will have dark corners. I am basing this judging by my 6' long tank that I run 3X400W on. I have the 2 end lights run by one double ballast and it is on a separate timer - so I have my middle light come on at 8am and go off at 6pm then my 2 end ones come on at 10am and go off at 8pm. When it is just the 2 end bulbs lite there is a definate shadow in the center. Don't know if this helps and I am definately no expert on lighting - it's just my observation with my own tank.
R

Snoop Dog · #3 10-19-2005, 04:03 AM

Would a 2 foot fixture be suffice? 1 MH + PC's ?

Ruth · #4 10-19-2005, 04:10 AM

I have a 2' fixture (175W) over my 24g nano and it's lot's of light so personally I would think it would fill in the shadows. I went with VHO instead of PC's on this fixture and like it a lot better.

Snoop Dog · #5 10-19-2005, 04:13 AM

Thanks for the input

, I think a 2 foot fixture with VHO or pc would be fine as well,

Is anyone out there running a 30 inch tank?

what are you using?

danny zubot · #6 10-19-2005, 02:11 PM

I have a 400 watt 10K over my 36 inch tank. My reflector leaves dark spots only at the very top corners, nothing is there anyway.

mr_alberta · #7 10-19-2005, 02:32 PM

I have a 30" wide tank and I have 1 pendant over it and I get dark spots at the edges. My pendant is about 6" above the water or so.

Chin_Lee · #8 10-19-2005, 06:43 PM

Snoop
I would try one pendant first. the dark corners that you may experience will be quite minimal for the size of your tank and its highly unlikely you will have anything in those corners anyways except for powerheads or wavemakers etc. it would be quite exceptable considering the height will be 18 high, your pendant will be a lilttle higher above the tank regardless (or you might scorch the corals directly underneath) so the light difussion wil be wider thus filling up the corners more.
BTW - IMHO I would go 24" high if I were you. 18" is wayyy too shallow for me IME. Besides its only a difference of 20 gallons but its a LOT more room. Sorry for my biased opinion but you did ask "If you could do it again what would you do"

Now that I'm on the subject, I would go with the faux sand bed http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1