pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Wanted to know if there was a "standard" height to place my fixture. I'm gonna be changing my lighting over to a 400W Radium. In a Sunlight Supply Lumen Max Elite fixture, with a Blue Wave Hqi ballast. Since I don't have a par meter I have no idea where I should place it to get the best results. My tank is 20" tall x24"wide x24" deep. I have an enclosed hood now but can take it off to accomadate the placement of this new fixture. So If anyone either has a par meter they wanna play with or knows of height estimate please let me know.(scratch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I would put the light at least 12 inches from the water level, and since it is 20 inches tall, I might put the halide 15 inches from the water line. That reflector is really awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I agree that you are going to want to be fairly high above the water level. I would think that a 250w would be better suited for that size tank to keep everything, including SPS, from going into light shock. I keep my 2x 250w about 6" off the water, but it is DE style bulb and has a glass cover, which prevents too much UV, and splashing water on the bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 I have a DE Xm 250w hqi setup now and I cant seem to get the color I want out of it. I suppliment with 2 vho super actinics and my zoo's in the tank have lost some color. I even had them towards the top for a bit. I purchased them out of a tank that was running 400w bulbs so I just assumed that this would be a better choice. I have a ton of sps that are doing ok but don't pop like they did when they had been under a 400w setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 My light is probably 4 inches off the water surface. Is this maybe to low?? Am I burning the corals maybe? I know when I placed the live rock in my tank I ended up bleaching it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 i would say that you are probably just experiencing a little bit of light shock. i would just give it time. in my experience zoas are lower/mid light corals. i keep mine in the bottom 1/4 of the tank under 2x250w phoenix 14k. what kind of time frame are we talking about for the 250w? how long have they been on the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 I would say at least a couple months now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 I just purchased an acan from OIAB and placed it at the bottom of the tank. I have had it since probably Thursday and it has fadded out a lot! I just looked at my fixture and noticed its 4" off the water and the light is probably another 2" higher so total of 6" to the water surface. Btw it's a 20k bulb. Joel at waves suggested a pheonix bulb but he wont have any untill Tuesday. I guess I'm just a bit confused?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Sorry the zoo's have been in the tank 2 months and the bulb has been in the tank since November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 i too get some shock from my acans. they are lower light specimens and you are right by putting them at the bottom. i would say that what you need is to let things have more time. the zoas should be at the bottom. move them down there, and give them a couple more weeks to a month and they will start to turn around. my tank is 27" deep and i use 250w phoenix. i will be using 2x250w bulbs on my 200 gallon when i set that up. i would say you dont need 400w bulbs unless you are trying to penetrate over 30" into the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 I posted a couple pics in the members tank section under the envision cube thread. The pics suck cause I only have my phone on me at the moment. Thanks for everyones help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 You definately need to get the light higher off the water. 12" minimum from the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 I dont really think that he needs the halides that high off the water. maybe if he runs the 400's, but with the 250s i would leave them where they are. get your corals in their proper locations, and give it some time to stabilize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.