Heater and lighting for 180

[jonathan11]

I would like to use the Hydor 300 watt inline heater for my 180. Would one be satisfactory for a tank this size? The room is heated and cooled, general temps running around 72 degrees. Tank temp should be 76 or so.
Any recommendations for total lighting output for a tank this size (watts/gallon)?
Thx in advance,

Walter

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Walter,

If you share some more details of your tank as well as your GOALS, I will be happy to make suggestions.

Do you want lots of plants, to use c02, low maintenance, lots of pruning, what kind and how many fish, etc?

I will advise NOT to buy some very high light fixture as you will NOT need it. I and many others here have 180 and do not use that much light.

Remember too that the hydor has a flow rate so what type of filter/plumbing you have is important to your question..

Welcome aboard!

 

[shoggoth43]

Pump selection will also play a role as well as how well the room retains heat. Is the tank covered? I find my tank does a pretty good job of heating the place all by itself with just a 250W heater.

-
S

 

[dutchy]

I have a 180 gallon which uses a Hydor 300. No problem.

My lights are 4 rows of T5 with a total of 250 Watts. I don't use reflectors, but a white painted canopy. This gives me 55 micromols of light at the substrate, which is enough to grow every plant you want. With reflectors 3 rows of T5 with good equal spread would be sufficient.

regards,
dutchy

 

[jonathan11]

I'm going to use a Fluval FX5 filter, with an outlet hose diameter of 1". The Hydor inline heater has accomodations for 5/8" tubing. I'm thinking of teeing the output line with a 1" and 5/8" line. I don't want to reduce the pumps output line diameter, which would reduce the flow of the filter. Commnts? Would this be ok, has anyone tried this method? Lighting-had a looooooooong talk with Kim at Aquarium Hobbyist Supply (AHS) about lighting. I already have 2ea 96 watt light kits from AHS, and I have in my possession 3ea 250 watt MH light fixtures. Kim recommended using 2 of the MHs, which should be plenty, plus both CFs, which should really be plenty. I plan to use CO2, thinking of a reactor made by Rex Grigg, that can be hooked up inline. I also have a system utilizing 2 Rio RVT pumps, Milwaukee controller, related bottle, check valves, etc. By the way, don't let REX's gruff demeanor bother you, he is a great stand up guy! As well, as I'm sure a great deal of our members know, Kim at AHS is a spectacular person. He recommended this lighting setup, knowing it would not put any money in his pocket, and talked at length with me about lighting options. If anybody has not heard of him, or are new to the hobby, he is a great person (and company!) to buy stuff from. OK, all suggestions would be appreciated. Thx in advance,
Walter