I have a 72g AGA bowfront with a 48" Orbit PC 260w(65wx4). I have LPS, Soft corals, Corcea clam, Sebae anemone and 90 lbs of live rock. I also have an assorment of your basic reef fish; (tangs, clown, gobie, wrasse etc). I am interested in being able to have any kind of coral or clam. So I know I must upgrade my lights. I was told that my lights are not enough for my crocea. I will not be able to mount lights from ceiling. I have canopy lids so my friends wont commit suicide. My tank is 23" deep. I would like to know what kind wattage would I need for acros and clams. I would like to have the same 24 light feature as I have with my current lights. Would heat be a factor and what is too much(would it kill softies and lps?) and what is too little? Thanks for all your help!!!:help: :huh:
Input for 72 gallon bow front reef lighting
- Thread starter Phoenix 1
- Start date
to be able to keep your crocea and anem you are goign to want to upgrade to MH. on a 48" tank you are goign to want at least 2 150 watt HQIs. That will give you a very limited range of where you will be able to put your clam and anem, as well as any sps that you get, but you will be able to keep them. i personaly advise that you upgrade to 2X250 watt halides and some actinics for supplimental blue light (you can buy some t5s, of if you want to save the money, you can jsut take appart your currect fixture, although that would be more wattage than t5s)
you may have some heat issues. some people do, but in all honesty, most people do not. you might want to run some fans in your canopy to prevent the heat from building up and also allowing more evaporation to reduce the heat.
how high is your canopy? i am assuming that is what you said you were talking about. unless you meant the top was a standard glass one? in which case, that is not advised, especialy with Mh lighting. it prevents gas exchange and cuts down on PAR, but it will also prevent water form evaporating and the heat will have a much easier time building up.
you may have some heat issues. some people do, but in all honesty, most people do not. you might want to run some fans in your canopy to prevent the heat from building up and also allowing more evaporation to reduce the heat.
how high is your canopy? i am assuming that is what you said you were talking about. unless you meant the top was a standard glass one? in which case, that is not advised, especialy with Mh lighting. it prevents gas exchange and cuts down on PAR, but it will also prevent water form evaporating and the heat will have a much easier time building up.