[CL]

Ok, I've almost completely made up made mind that I want to use MHs to light my 91L (a 90P except 1 cm longer).

The tank is 3 feet long. I'm either considering one 150W fixture from here or two 70W fixtures. The one 150W fixture would be considerably cheaper, but I don't know how good the spread would be. The fixture(s) would be raised at least a foot to accommodate for emersed plants grown on the top of the drift wood, but I still don't know if one fixture would be enough to ensure that the edges of the tank are well lit..

 

[babakaty]

I just bought a 70W MH fixture from the folks at here, and so far I'm very pleased. It's simple, sturdy enough, and a great value assuming it's lifespan is decent. I have it over 1/2 my 90 gal, along with a mongrel collection of PC flourescents. Still searching for the "Holy Grail" of just the right lighting combination....

 

[CL]

I just bought a 70W MH fixture from the folks at here, and so far I'm very pleased. It's simple, sturdy enough, and a great value assuming it's lifespan is decent. I have it over 1/2 my 90 gal, along with a mongrel collection of PC flourescents. Still searching for the "Holy Grail" of just the right lighting combination....

If you were to hold the light over the middle of the tank, how much dark area would there be on the ends? (I'm assuming you have the standard 4ft 90 gallon tank)

 

[babakaty]

I pulled the other lights off and centered the 70W over 1/2 the tank since there is a center brace in my not-as-sexy-as-your-rimless-GLA tank. Hope the picture comes through OK.

 

[CL]

Thank you very much for doing that! It looks like the edges would be a little dark on a 3 foot tank, but what would you say?

 

[babakaty]

Well, I certainly claim no expertise when it comes to lighting, but I'd say either go with two 70W MH fixtures or one with a couple of T5 or CF's on the side. Have you looked at FNI's T5's? Though I haven't tried it (I plan to) it seems pretty easy to breed their fixtures together.

 

[CL]

Well, I certainly claim no expertise when it comes to lighting, but I'd say either go with two 70W MH fixtures or one with a couple of T5 or CF's on the side. Have you looked at FNI's T5's? Though I haven't tried it (I plan to) it seems pretty easy to breed their fixtures together.

Yes, I was really interested in the MH/T5HO combo, but that would cost a bit, and the fixture would be wider than my tank. lol (or close to it, maybe one inch less)

How hot does yours get? I expect it to be hot, but I'm just curious how hot. Do they have seperate ballasts, or are they built in?

 

[babakaty]

If you look at the way they nest together, it comes out to less than if you just add up all the width dimensions. I expected it to get hotter than it actually does, it's very lightweight and doesn't seem to hold much heat. The ballast is separate. I have mine mounted underneath my stand.

 

[CL]

If you look at the way they nest together, it comes out to less than if you just add up all the width dimensions. I expected it to get hotter than it actually does, it's very lightweight and doesn't seem to hold much heat. The ballast is separate. I have mine mounted underneath my stand.

That's good news.
It looks like I just might go with 2x70 watters then.

 

[talontsiawd]

I like the look of two alot better personally. It just feels like the tank is larger than having a fairly large gap side to side with one. I vote for two off of that, though I have never used a MH. I know that probably doesn't help much but should look really slick. I am thinking of going MH on my next tank for looks alone (emersed growth as well).

 

[CL]

Yeah, I was leaning toward using two as well, I just wanted to hear what everyone thought, and if there was any reason why I should do just one 150W other than price.

 

[babakaty]

If one is good, two is better, right?! Besides, you didn't get into this hobby to save money, did you?? :hihi:

 

[CL]

haha. So true!

 

[oldpunk78]

i voted for 2 but i think it really might matter how high you plan on hanging it. i bet if you got 1 150w 18-20'" over the tank it could work out better than the 2 70w.

 

[Green Leaf Aquariums]

What are your goals with this tank? What type of plants do you plan to have? High maintenance stem plant tank? Ferns,anubias etc....

I think either way you cant go wrong. Im a firm believer in less is more But, thats just my OP

 

[CL]

Well I want some ferns and anubias, but I also want some stems, and eleocharis 'belem' as well as cyprus helferii (or however you spell it), but I still want the option of doing higher light.
here's an interesting thread http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/equipment/57808-fish-need-lighting.html

 

[Green Leaf Aquariums]

Aquamedic now has a decent pendant you may want to consider. It seems those reflectors(Fishneedit) are sub par

 

[CL]

Aquamedic now has a decent pendant you may want to consider. It seems those reflectors(Fishneedit) are sub par

That's what that ashappard said at APC, but I've been searching around on nanoreef and I haven't heard anything bad about the reflectors. I think I'll but the two 70W pendants. Apparently the ballasts are made by Philips.
I also found this over at NR. He said he had the fixture 12 inches above the water.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=214091&st=20&start=20#

Totally disagree on a single MH lamp for 36". When I put the single 250w over my 40 breeder there wasn't a little shading, there was a lot. I was using a SE Lumenarc mini reflector which is suppose to have a lot of spread. Maybe a different reflector would do better but the Lumenarc III mini was a no go.

 

[ChineseSnooker]

My 70w just came in last week and I'm eager to set it up. I just held it over my tank and there seems to be more than enough light.

 

[CL]

My 70w just came in last week and I'm eager to set it up. I just held it over my tank and there seems to be more than enough light.

Did you get a fish need it fixture? Does the reflector spread the light out well, or are there bands of bright light, and bands of lower light?