frag tank 4x2x1 lighting
- Thread starter rnscross
- Start date
chadfarmer
Premium Member
i have the same size tank i run 48 led over it
i light wasnt enough for all the sps i have
i light wasnt enough for all the sps i have
mike_cmu04
New member
I have the same size tank and one metal halide is not enough even with a lumenarc reflector.
airplanes1016
New member
Id go 8 t5s myself
franklypre
New member
you'll need 2 as those before me have noted, I would suggest t5s as well
spanishmack
New member
use a light mover and 1 halide will be fine
organism
code monkey
With only having to replace t5 bulbs every 14ish months the bulb changes for those are almost always cheaper...
A 4x54w would be great for zoanthids, some LPS and softies, or a 6x54w would go well with LPS and SPS. Bulb brand and combination has everything to do with how well it grows and colors up corals though.
Agree 100%
I myself really don't feel good about leaving my t5 bulbs in any longer than 9 months... I'm not nearly as experienced as some of you, but it doesn't make any sense leaving them in longer than that, to me anyhow... I jus don't feel they can be any close to affective past 12 months, let alone 14 or 15, as they are the first 6 to 9... I myself have changed my bulbs after 8 months at the longest... jus my 2 cents though I am sure some will say I am wrong...
spanishmack
New member
would work out cheaper in the long run to buy a par meter and remove when levels diminish past what you want, of course as long as spectrum hasn't swayed away from what you want too
firebirdude
User and Abuser
T5. Halide. People argue about when the bulbs should be changed. But it wouldn't be crazy to just say that have roughly the same lifespan.
A quality halide bulb is ~$55-60/each. So X2 = $110-$120
Quality T5 bulbs are ~$20-$25/each. So X6 = $120-150
Are you really going to design your system around a few bucks? Not to mention the T5's will likely use less electricity. It's a wash man.
A quality halide bulb is ~$55-60/each. So X2 = $110-$120
Quality T5 bulbs are ~$20-$25/each. So X6 = $120-150
Are you really going to design your system around a few bucks? Not to mention the T5's will likely use less electricity. It's a wash man.
cephalotus
Member
I run 2 250w halides on my 48x24x12.
maroun.c
New member
I remember reading that the most energy efficient lighting form is T5 Even cpmpared to most LEDs. while LEDS are more intense and penetrate more T5s offer a better spread which is what you want in a shallow tank. I'm setting up a 44x24x16 so basically the same setup as yours as my corals will be on mid level and cnosidering going with T5s
always wondered if one could just lower them a bit lower when they start aging. I've seen them placed nearly at water level in a coral farm once...
If that works and gives you a few months more that would save you some costs, add to that, the decrease in chiller running time and that makes the difference even bigger.
always wondered if one could just lower them a bit lower when they start aging. I've seen them placed nearly at water level in a coral farm once...
If that works and gives you a few months more that would save you some costs, add to that, the decrease in chiller running time and that makes the difference even bigger.
Johnny C
New member
I run a 6x54w ATI Powermodule on the exact dimensions (4x2x1''). I used to run a single 250w Radium w/ Lumenbrite and it worked okay but my PAR is much more uniform and I can keep a larger variety of corals.
PS- Unless the bulbs are fan-cooled and run for short photoperiods, I wouldn't recommend waiting 14 months to change bulbs. PAR loss isn't as important as the spectrum shift which can fuel problematic algae outbreaks and more.
JMO of course!
PS- Unless the bulbs are fan-cooled and run for short photoperiods, I wouldn't recommend waiting 14 months to change bulbs. PAR loss isn't as important as the spectrum shift which can fuel problematic algae outbreaks and more.
JMO of course!
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