Metal Halide would this be enough? 48x30x16

Life Bi Design · Apr 6, 2013

Hello Everyone,

So here it is the tank is 48Lx30Wx16H would a Metal Halide 48" 2x 250 watt 14K bulbs and 4x T5 54 Watt High Output Actinic Lamps
Be enough lighting for this tank? I am worried about coverage since the tank is 30"Wide. The Corals kept would SPS.

If so how high should it be mounted?

How many hours a day should it be on?

Any help would be appreciated.

El Dude · Apr 6, 2013

Looks like it will work. The outer edges should be left as just sand. Try to keep your SPSs in the middle 24" of width and you should do great! For photoperiod go 12 hrs T5 and 10 hrs MH.

Example:
10am-T5s on
11am-MH on
9pm-MH off
10pm-T5s off

You could probably get by with just 8 hours of MH if you wanted to cut down on the electric bill as well! Anyway the one hour before and after of JUST T5s will help simulate dawn/dusk. It will go a long way towards the long term health of your livestock. Post some pics asap!

Edit:MHs burn HOT! Mount them 10-12" above water line(AWL).

Justin · Apr 6, 2013

If you use lumenmax elites, I think you would be good.

JOSE CASAS · Apr 6, 2013

Really depends on the reflector you are gonna use. But you should be fine even if you use de refs reflectors. Hth

Life Bi Design · Apr 7, 2013

Thank you guys for the advice really appreciate it.

Metal Halide would this be enough? 48x30x16

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