Just realized a problem

[carlitosreef]

I been looking around and searching more information on the type of light I should go for.

I was planning in doing frags of LPS and SPS since I am new to the hobby.

The 55g I was planning in using for my DT has a black plastic center brace. My set up is going to be placed in my room that has yet to be build in my basement. The floor is concrete and I was also planning in a building a "raise floor" out of wood to raise up a little higher my stand with DT.

Since I been looking at MH lights sets I am starting to realize is going to melt my center brace.

I don't know what to do now. Any ideas? Maybe do a trade with someone, sell it what can I do that won't cost me more money? :aww:

At least I am glad for the first time in my life I am taking my time with something and not rushing it because I want my set up to be up already so bad but I have been good being patience. Now I run in to this problem my first by the way.

 

[mufret]

Were you planning on having a MH bulb directly over the center brace?

 

[carlitosreef]

No I was actually planning in hanging my lights above the tank instead of using the stands it comes with.

 

[smallblock]

why even go MH?, unless you get a fixture with actenic in it you will have to supplement that. I dont like MH, I like t-5s you can keep anything under them and the heat isnt as much of an issue. Plus it looks better imo. Way cheaper to run as well. No MH over here bro.

 

[carlitosreef]

I was planning in using MH due to I seen some really nice set up with that nice blue light. I was planning in going with a 48" light spec is the following.

48" Odyssea Spec
Supports 2x 250W Metal Halide DE FC2 lamps
Supports 4x 54W T5 High Output (HO) lamps
Supports 6x dual Bluemoon LED
6x Power Switch (2xMH, 2x T5, 1x LED, 1x Fan)
5x Power Cord (2x MH, 1x T5, 1x LED, 1x Fan)
External HQI controllers
Internal T5 HO fluorescent ballasts
Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
Heavy duty cooling fan
Glass splash guard
Mounting legs
Standard T5 sockets
Double Ended FC2 HQI sockets
Highly polished reflector
CE Certified

I think I found a solution instead of buying that one 48" I am going to buy 2- 24" light set so it wont be directly hitting above the center brace.

24" Odyssea Spec

Supports 1x 250W Metal Halide DE FC2 lamps
Supports 4x 24W T5 High Output (HO) lamps
Supports 4x dual Bluemoon LED
4x Power Switch (2x T5, 1x LED, 1x Fan)
2x Power Cord (1x MH, 1x T5)
External HQI controllers
Internal T5 HO fluorescent ballasts
Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
Heavy duty cooling fan
Glass splash guard
Mounting legs
Standard T5 sockets
Double Ended FC2 HQI sockets
Highly polished reflector
CE Certified

For MH I wanted some nice 20K bulbs

for T5 I was planning in going with something in between white and blueish

What light set would you guys recommend brand and bulb set up?

Edit: By the way I didn't realize how hot the MH get when I really wanted the 48" now I realize it might melt my center brace. I was thinking in removing my center brace but I been told is a bad idea.

 

[carlitosreef]

What about Eurobrace anyone here done this before?

 

[smallblock]

I would just get a 48 inch nova 8 bulb fixture like I have and be done with it, it has 2 switches one for white one for blue, and led moon lights.

 

[carlitosreef]

:sad:That thing is over $500

 

[smallblock]

I've seen several sale on here for 200. I upgraded mine with a glass splash shield, i didint like the acrylic shield at all.

 

[carlitosreef]

I think I'm just going to sell it and get rid of it. Sucks because I like it no scratches, silicone is really clean.and no leaks. Is just the black plastic center brace I hate.

 

[carlitosreef]

Il take that back, kind of didn't take smallblock advice well. Now I see things a lot better, currently looking for a nice set up with T5 HO, and blue moon.

 

[snowmansnow]

Don't discount t5 heat issues go away... LED too... just an idea

 

[carlitosreef]

Pm

 

[crewdawg1981]

... Just FYI... you wont melt your centerbrace with MHs and if you use a 14k or 20k bulb you wont need actinic supplementation. Not sure why that was suggested. Unless you want a totally blue tank?

If you've already got the MH setup, get some reeflux 20ks or radiums or coralvue 20ks... you'll have the color you want and... again, wont be melting a center brace.

 

[itsamyheff]

I agree with crew. I run 400 watt x 3 radiums on my 150. Plenty of blue with the right amount of white. You would have to almost set the halide on the brace to melt it. My old set up, 150 halide on a 36 gallon was only 4" off the brace and did not melt it.

 

[izoid]

I have a 48" MH unit on my tank and have no issues with it melting the brace, you will be fine.

As far as T5's being cheaper to run; I don't buy it. 500 watts of MH cost just the same as 500 watts of T5.

 

[carlitosreef]

Ok, sounds interesting now. I wish I was home right now on my pc. But a lot of curiosity and questions have raised up. I will get back to you guys later midnight. I would like to see someone set up with mh and center brace. Also my idea has always been hanging my lights about 6" off.

 

[crewdawg1981]

My 90 had the bulbs 10 inches off the water, so roughly 8 inches over the brace (keep in mind, your bulb wont be directly over the brace... unless you like a nice shadow in your tank). The higher the better, but with your lights only 6 inches from the water remember that you will need to periodically clean the bulbs of salt spray or they'll crack.

I'll see if I've got any pics of my old setup...

 

[Jaycen B.]

2 400s and a 250 and no melting here. Also a nice blue with just the MH. If you use a glass sheild no need to clean the bulbs.
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[smallblock]

CarlitosReef;681720 wrote: Il take that back, kind of didn't take smallblock advice well. Now I see things a lot better, currently looking for a nice set up with T5 HO, and blue moon.

Sorry bro, I wasnt trying to get you down. Everything I said is my opinion. I just dont like MH for the reasons I stated. IT will work out man with whatever you decide. I would get a 65 reef as well, stated earlier by someone the 13 inch depth front to back is a pain. I had a 65 and loved it. Its 36 inch as well might save you some money on a light fixture.