Chaning mind on lighting options

[ssgss gogeta]

i have a custom build happening, 72X28X26 (LWH) and i was planning on running 4 ai hydra hd's. will be mostly sps dominant tank. after using led's for a while now i am missing the fill and extra that t5's bring. i have 2 ai hydra hd's currently and will be purchasing the other two. plan was to run them front to back to get a good spread.

tank specifics i will have one massive bommie, and the tank is in wall so will only be viewable from the front. so the rockwork will reflect that and will be as close to the back wall as possible while still allowing fish swimming room and water flow. corals will then not be on the rear rockwork only the front and the top. the bommie will spread for 5ft of the 7ft.

so my question is with a specific area of rockwork to light for the coral, i was considering using only 3 hydra 52's place spread evenly over the bommie length ways and supplementing the front of the tank but angling towards the back with a double t5 HO 54w fitting using say 22k and 15k bulbs and have them be 2 3ft or 1 6ft fixture.

any ideas or suggestions? i guess i can only try and if i dont like it or not cutting the par buy the extra hydra or add additional t5's behind the hydras i just dont see the point in lighting the back of the tank as well when its not really neccisary for coral growth.

 

[ssgss gogeta]

Chaning mind on lighting options

just to add i have done something similar in the past, as far as making the brightest light in the centre where the rockwork is and fading the light off to the edges of the tank. i honestly like the look. gives it that drop off the reef feel if you can understand that. plus i dont see the point in running full light the full length of the tank when there is nothing on the sides that really needs the light.

Really quick sketch up of layout, given hopefully if you respond you've read how I want to set up the rockwork

 

[mcgyvr]

Sounds good to me and will work just fine..
Tons run LED/T5 supplement and you certainly don't need to extend all the way to the tanks sides.. Light spreads..

"bommie".. there is a word you don't hear often.. I had to google that one..

 

[ssgss gogeta]

Chaning mind on lighting options

Sounds good to me and will work just fine..
Tons run LED/T5 supplement and you certainly don't need to extend all the way to the tanks sides.. Light spreads..

"bommie".. there is a word you don't hear often.. I had to google that one..

Thanks man, haha I'm a bit little old school it was what i was taught to call them that 10 years ago. Not sure what the most commonly used term is now. . . Island maybe?


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[ssgss gogeta]

Anyone else? Any input all welcome! Ha


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[jayball]

I would consider at least going with 80W T-5 rather than 54W. (5 ft vs 4 ft) so you get more even spread.

Personally I like your plan but I would go with 4 bulbs total, retrofit, with one of them behind your LED. Backs of the coral need light love even if you do not see them.

 

[ssgss gogeta]

I would consider at least going with 80W T-5 rather than 54W. (5 ft vs 4 ft) so you get more even spread.

Personally I like your plan but I would go with 4 bulbs total, retrofit, with one of them behind your LED. Backs of the coral need light love even if you do not see them.

Thanks man, I get what your saying. I may have to have some rear t5's aswell.

I think a lot of people's retro fits have been using the t5 as the main light source with supplement led's where as I want to have led's as main and supplement t5's.


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