Joe's 190g 60x36x20 SLOW Mixed Reef Build.......

Oh, no way lol. Im fearing I am making a bad decision with the MH lighting. I think Im fearful because I have a low end set up right now though. I have the current USA 250w + 4x24w T5 combo fixture.

Maybe Im just a follower, but the T5 craze seems to be tempting me. What would you guys choose? In all seriousness....

Aquamedic Oceanlight 250w MH W/ 2x54w T5s
or
Sunlight Tek T5 8x54w fixture

Its comingdown to the wire, and I will be buying my equipment this weekend. So now Im REALLY stressing it and REALLY indecisive lol. Ive read the T5 thread, and it seems like the PAR ratings are great on the Tek fixture tested.

I know I am going to get grief for this.. At least I have narrowed down my options on everything though =)
 
As much as I love T5s, I don't think it makes sense with a center brace. I also think you'd probably want at least 10 54w T5s, but regardless I don't see how T5s would work with the bracing you've got. That aquamedic light sounds like a pretty nice unit. My only concern is that it is 13" wide and that might leave a lot of your 36" width without much light. I might look into a couple lumenarc III reflectors, they run 250-300 each (including bulbs). They are almost 20"x20" so they have a nice spread. I know a couple people locally are running the reeflux 12k bulbs in these (or in lumenbrights, which I wouldnt recommend for your needs because they are more spotlightly) with NO supplumental lighting, and they really like the colors.
 
I think I would need supplementation regardless. I dont like the fact that the tnak can only be lit up for 8 hours a day with the Mh. Id need some PCS or T5s to keep it at least looking lit for the rest of the day.

The problem with those lights and reflectors are I then need a canopy, and I really dont want a canopy lol. I was thikning of running some sort of PFO pendants or something along those lines though.

With this fixture I Dont see there being much of a problem. I plan on setting my rockwork right under the MH for the SPS parts, and accordingly for the rest. I plan on having a pretty open tank.
 
If you are planning your rockwork in the middle, then I'd jump on that Aquamedic, it was only like $400 right? You can always supplement with spotlights later on, which looks really cool with an open top.
 
I plan on having two rock stacks, pretty much under the openings in the tank, with the center brace being where the canyon will be. And yeah, it was only $380 without bulbs, so about $600 with new bulbs and gas money to pick it up. So I think thats pretty fair.

I say Id like to have this SPS stocked tank, and yeah, thatd be great. But thats going ot take forever. I mean Ive had my 60g cube for a year now, and its nowhere near full, lol. Part is because I mbroke, part is because I dont want SPS now, and lose em in the move and transfer.

So I think this light will be a good choice. And I mean if not, what do I have to lose? I can always resell it and get my money back.

Now theres a guy with a TS24 and a BM250 for sale =)
 
This weekend is the MAX in the OC too, so this will be a chance to pick up some stuff! Im not sure how many skimmers and Tunzes or Vortechs will be out there, but we shall see. I many end up leaving with a PBT and some frags if theyre cheap enough =)
 
I saw that BM 250 for sale for 600, that would be a sweet skimmer for your tank. You've settled on a couple good options now, so I think you'll be fine whatever way you go.

As for stocking, does your local club have frag swaps, or can you make it to the LA club's swaps? You should be able to get some sweet deals at those. I am able to find just about any coral I want (including some of those Tyree LEs and whatnot) local for $20-30/frag. For example, I got the Oregon tort in my avatar for $15 :) I personally give away frags of the basic SPS corals, and once my primo pieces get big enough, will be selling those on the cheap...if you are ever passing through Chicago ;)
 
I will be going to detroit this late summer more than likely. But people around here dont have too many SPS. Brewen is a guy locally who does have some SPS, and always offers them out. But right about now I dont htink I need coral, since Id probably kill em in the transfer anyhow. He does have a nice cali tort though.

If things are dirt cheap I may get some frags at MAX though. Im kinda lookin forward to this weekend, lets hope nothing comes up! lol
 
Hmm, so looking at Jarheads thread I got an idea from him. I will use hte 6080s, like I planned. but I wonder what 3rd flow source would be better... A Wavebox or a waveysea used as my return, along with a Tunze connector, and have another 6080 or 6060 from 180 degrees from the back of my tank. Theyd be about the same price =\
 
Wavy seas (or sea swirls - if you have less flow from your return, they will save you $100 or so) are awesome. I bought a couple sea swirls from the used forum for $100 each, and will be hooking them up to my returns.
 
I think I may go that route. the Seaswirls are way cheaper than the wavyseas too. That'd be cool to have a Tunze always oscillating in the rear of the tank. I just love the look of the action the wavebox makes though.
 
lol. Well maybe my wavebox is meant to be then. Even Vitko at Tunze said two 6080s and a wavebox would be nice in the tank.
 
Lol, so I am back to square one. I cant make it to pick up the fixture, and the seller wont ship. So Im back looking fo rlighting lol. At least now Im close to buying the BM200.

I should have titled this Joes Rant and Blog thread lol. I wonder how hard it would be ot make a brace out of aluminum (since its light), and hang that over the tank, basically making a fixture. That way I can jam in a couple nice mini reflectors and some VHOs.
 
So the 6080s are on their way, I think that'll be great flow with my wavebox. And after hard long thinking, and a trip to Fresno, Im reluctant to do halides, because I know I will need to get a chiller. I just kinda forgot, or didnt realize how hot it is there. I have ONE halide over ym tank now, and it makes my living room incredibly hot in the summer, and I live 2 blocks from the beach! Where its cool! lol. I can only imagine how hot it would be in the valley. And besides, I already kinda started regretting getting that halide fixture before I Even bought it. With the $80 shipping, and $200 in new bulbs, it just wasnt a good deal.

I measure my tank lastnight, and I have (2) 18x24 openings, which about a 9" brace in the middle. Those 9" seem like a bit of light to waste, so I definitely will make a 9" canyon in between the rock stacks. Now my dilemma is should I get a 48" fixture, or (2) 24" fixtures? Im yet to find a 24" fixture that will hold 8 bulbs.

Cost wise, by the time I buy lumenarcs, Bulbs, ballast, and VHO Retros, it comes out to the same price as that sexy Giesemann fixture, so any DIY combos sort of seem out of the question.

Another possibility is changing this brace. Do I need a 9" brace in the middle of this tank? Its 3/4" acrylic, so it doesnt seem like I would absolutely need it that thick. I really hate this brace on this tank, its so limiting as far as lighting goes!

Maybe I just need to slow down, and instead of trying to fit everything into the amount of cash I have now, I should just buy the RIGHT stuff the first time, and take a little longer to buy what I Actually need lol.
 
Last edited:
Joe Joe Joe, didn't I tell you it's gonna be hot in the valley??? I went to school in Stockton! Why don't you hang (2) shorter T5 fixtures, one fixture above each opening. You're going to have a canyon anyway. That way, there's no *wasted* light if you hang (1) long T5 fixture
 
I didnt wanna have a canopy, thats why I was looking for a fixture. I was going to have a canopy if I ran a CLS, but since Im going Tunze, There will be no canopy.
 
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