150 hqi over 20 tall

R

Reefer Rae

Hey all I'm gonna see what yall think on this one . I want to put a new light over my 20 tall so I can give my daughter my dual power compact 130 watt fixture. I'm thinking about a 150 hqi retro but I'm not sure if I'll need suplemental light or what type of reflector. I like the open top look and I'm kinda open to suggestions ( bulbs , ballast, reflector,ect) so just let me know what u think or have experenced with your set ups . Thanks again yall
 
I have run a 150w mh sunpod over my 29g by itslef and was very happy with the results I used the phoenix 14k de bulb and it doesn't need supplemental lighting but 1 t5 does help. If you weren't so far out you'd be welcome to stop by and take a look some time I still run the phoenix bulb with one actinic t5 but i can turn off the t5 so you can get an idea of what it would be like.
 
the sunpod fixture doesnt leave much room so i bought the hagen glo 24in single t5 fixture which has the extendable legs so it fits my 30in long tank. it also comes with legs that allow you to angle the fixture so you can aim the light whichever way you want. 150w is plenty of light over my tank but i wanted that dusk dawn look of the actinics and one single bulb was plenty.
 
Hey low Inc do u work at the shop on Cooper st if so I work down the street from u . I was thinking on a 14 or 20 k lamp and a icecap ballast , I'm just not sure about a reflector that will sit over a 20 tall and look nice while not bleeding light all over the room. I see all the little reflectors that come in the mass produced fixtures and can't help but think they can't be that efficent . I would really like to see some pics of tanks with different retro or homebrew lights on them . I would just really hate to have to reinvest money in lighting in the short term because I wasent happy with my results on this goround . It's hard to buy water somedays LOL
 
I did some part time work there years ago but the name has always stuck it I use it for my emails and forums wrx was the type of car I used to drive. I understand the idea of using a retrofit I just like the look of the fixtures. Ill try to post a pic of my setup from a distance in a few days.
 
Well as promised here's the last fts I took without actinics, only the 150w mh de 14k on the sunpod.
fts7_4_09.jpg
alt="">
And for Marc here's the setup I have now the sunpod with the glo single bulb fixture for my actinics. (sorry for the pic quality)
TANKEQUIPVIEW.jpg
alt="">
 
there are also the clamp on Viper lamps that come in 150w and 70w hqi. I have the 70w on my 6gal set at about a foot above the water and it is a lot of light for this tank (12" tall). Unless you plan to keep sps, you could probably get by with a 70w which would be much cooler. I use a 14k lamp (unknown brand came with fixture) and it is pretty nice, but, I would like a bit more actinic and plan to try a 20k next time. I use a Rio MiniSun led (clamp on) for a moon light.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top