kessil lighting question

[cec09]

I have searched and cannot find anything. I have a 45 gal cube. 24"x24"18. I currently have a 4 bulb t-5 fixture over the tank. I have been thinking about adding some light to the tank. Coincidentally I won a kessil a150 in our expo raffle. I have been doing som thinking and am wondering if i were to make a canopy with two t-5 in the front (one blue plus one aquablue special).
The kessil in the center. And two t-5 in the back (one blue plus and one coral plus). Would there be a significant differencewhen the kessil was on? Is it worth the time and evvort to do this?

 

[fscmocsaj]

Depends on what kind of kessil it is. But most likely no it won't make a difference. It will just make your tank brighter. You are better off selling it and buying some ecoxotic actnic strips.

 

[fscmocsaj]

Plus it will be easier to mount

 

[cec09]

kessil a150 15k. Brighter is what Im going for. And more color pop

 

[Rockster2599]

It'll certainly give pop:thumbsup:
It may not cover the entire tank though.

 

[fscmocsaj]

sorry sorry I completely misunderstood what you wanted. I thought you wanted more blue light! Yes that kessil is great! but you might have a little problem with the placement because it does kind of shoot straight down.

 

[fscmocsaj]

What are you trying to keep in the tank? if your not putting any sps corals you will be fine with the T5's. I would sell the kessil and just get some led strips and put it on the canopy you are building you would make a good profit. Plus it's always fun to build things then to take the easy road =)

 

[fscmocsaj]

Basically there's 2 options you can take with the kessil.

Option 1- Build the canopy, attach the kessil to it and basically the kessil will shoot a straight beam of light down into your tank. Because it wont be high enough over your tank.

Option 2- Build a canopy that is pretty high above your tank and the kessil will shine over most of it if not all. However your T5's wont be doing very much to your tank considering how high up they will be.

 

[cec09]

Planning on building a floating canopy. My t5 fixture is about 8-10" above tank right now. Id probably keep it tbat hight. I dont care if it covers the whole tank. Just want a little more pop and brightness.

 

[cec09]

Thanks guys. is it worth it? That is the biggest question

 

[fscmocsaj]

If its 8-10" above the tank you will be fine and it will look great!

 

[cec09]

Thanks Guys. Much appreciated