72 Bowfront Lighting

C

chemi19

New member
I am trying to figure out what kind of lighting to get for my new 72 Gal setup. What do you guys think?

I have been looking at:

dual 250 MH setup probably with Galaxy ballast
4 T5 from ReefGeek.com overdriven by an icecap 660
or a used Aqua Medic dual 150 MH with t5s ($200 good deal?)

I want to keep mostly softies with maybe some LPS but probably no SPS

Thank you
 
Hello,

I two own a 72 bowfront. I am looking at doing something very similar to you as it has PC lighting now.

I am thinking dual 175w MH, and a couple T5's for a little blue.

Has anyone set something like this up? With the 72bow the ends are only 12" so you have less space to work with over the 4'.

I think the 2 175's will be enough, and I DO plan on keepeing a couple SPS.
 
I have a 72 bowfront as well. Although I have ran 175 and 250 watt halides I am going t-5 this time.
The 175watt halides are enough for what ever you want to keep.
-Graves
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13806674#post13806674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gravesj1s
I have a 72 bowfront as well. Although I have ran 175 and 250 watt halides I am going t-5 this time.
The 175watt halides are enough for what ever you want to keep.
-Graves
Click to expand...

You feel that the T-5 would work good enough though? I am in florida so heat is definately a concern for me, thats why I was also thinking about T-5s.

Which T-5 setup will you be using?
Thank you for the help
 
Remember reading in "the reef aquarium vol 3" that the reason most folks run T-5's with MH's is because of there high operating temps. I'm not sure if they meant that they run at higher temps so they can be paired with the
Mh's heat load or that they're just capable of withstanding higher temps.

I'm using dual 175 watt 15k MH with dual 36 watt actinic T-5's on a 46 gal bow.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13807088#post13807088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ordy1
Remember reading in "the reef aquarium vol 3" that the reason most folks run T-5's with MH's is because of there high operating temps. I'm not sure if they meant that they run at higher temps so they can be paired with the
Mh's heat load or that they're just capable of withstanding higher temps.

I'm using dual 175 watt 15k MH with dual 36 watt actinic T-5's on a 46 gal bow.
Click to expand...

I thought most people that run T-5s with halide is for actinic supplementation. The main reason for running T-5s over MH is to reduce cost of operation and reduce heat.
 
i have an oceanic 72gl bowfront with canopy and i run a coralife aqualight advanced on legs inside the canopy. the light is 2x 150w MH's. i also got a few moonlights that clip onto a track on the aqualight for nighttime viewing. i'm very pleased with this light and you can't see the fixture at all when the canopy is on.

they are on clearance price at drs foster and smith.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19051

great price!

...josh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13807241#post13807241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joshkarp
i have an oceanic 72gl bowfront with canopy and i run a coralife aqualight advanced on legs inside the canopy. the light is 2x 150w MH's. i also got a few moonlights that clip onto a track on the aqualight for nighttime viewing. i'm very pleased with this light and you can't see the fixture at all when the canopy is on.

they are on clearance price at drs foster and smith.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19051

great price!

...josh
Click to expand...
Do you happen to have a picture of the fixture in the canopy?
 
I have a 72 gal bowfront, I have the SLS Maristar lights, 2-250 W halides with 10k bulbs with T5s that I run with Blue Plus. I like that they hang, makes it easier to remove the canopy. I am upgrading to a larger tank and am using the Maristar lights yet again, just a larger system.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13807738#post13807738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chemi19
Do you happen to have a picture of the fixture in the canopy?
Click to expand...

i don't, but i can take one. you want one with the canopy on? if so, you won't see any part of the light, but i can still take one if you like. i also got the coralife folding legs which allows the light to be "folded back" for cleaning. i needed to modify the front legs the fixture came with a little bit for more stability, but it works great.

let me know what you would like a pic of.

...josh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13810125#post13810125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joshkarp
i don't, but i can take one. you want one with the canopy on? if so, you won't see any part of the light, but i can still take one if you like. i also got the coralife folding legs which allows the light to be "folded back" for cleaning. i needed to modify the front legs the fixture came with a little bit for more stability, but it works great.

let me know what you would like a pic of.

...josh
Click to expand...

Does the canopy open where you can see the fixture inside?
 
light option

light option

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13806989#post13806989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chemi19
You feel that the T-5 would work good enough though? I am in florida so heat is definately a concern for me, thats why I was also thinking about T-5s.

Which T-5 setup will you be using?
Thank you for the help
Click to expand...

Hi, I bought a 4 bulb ATI power Module.
If you check out GrimReefers t-5 thread you will be surprised.
I would of never believed 4 t-5 bulbs could through that kind of par.
You could keep a clam on the bottom of your tank.

As far as heat ,fixture comes with built in fans that are completely silent and very effective at disapating heat.
Make a post to Grim for a par comparison to halides,You'll be surprised.
-Graves
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13813284#post13813284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by toosalty
I have a bow front as well and I run six 54wT5 bulbs with individual reflectors in there with no problem.
Click to expand...

How were you able to fit 6 T-5s in your 72? I thought that you could only fit 4 because of the 12" depth
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13813448#post13813448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by divewsharks
Agree with Graves, you'd be surprised how powerful the right T5's are. Especially ATI and Aquatinincs.
Click to expand...
ATI Power Modules are a bit out of my price range, but would I be able to achieve comparable results with an icecap retrofit kit and ATI bulbs?
 
Yes, with the right reflectors, which reefgeek.com has and the ice cap ballasts, you'll be good to go. Oh and small fan(s) to cool the lights. The T5 thread in the 'lights' section with GrimReefer talks alot about various setups.
 
I also run a 72 Bow front, cool looking tank, but man it limits you on aquascape and lighting,cright? Well too late now to go back only option os to upgrade when I get money but thats another story.

I built a custom canopy for my 72, inside I managed to get 2, 400 watt MH, and 2, 54 watt T5HO bulbs, and a set of moon lights. That's some serious lighting and I can grow anything anywhere in the tank. As for over heating remember you really only need your halieds on for about 4-6 hours a day and the rest of the time run your supplemental lighting.

I recommend 10K bulbs for MH and a mix of either 6700k and actinic for your T5's. But if you like the bluer end go ahead and run the bluer spectrum T5's. HTH.

If your running LPs and softies T5 4 bulbs should be enough, for SPS I would go with a 6-8 bulbs but thats alot to cram into a 72.
 
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