LED arrangment for 32" wide tank

[fotoreceptor]

Hi folks. Sorry for the multiple posts. I wasnt getting any answers in other threads.

Im a Canadian new to the hobby and have been reading alot about LED lighting recently. I need some advice regarding my current setup.

I am in the market for LED lighting for current FOWLR tank. The plan is to move towards some heartier corals down the road. I want to get proper lighting that sets me up for where the hobby takes me.

Tank is 87" long, 32" wide and 32" deep. It is built into hallway, so top is covered and I have lots of room to hang the lights and no concern what they look like. I currently have some old 2 bulb T5's running the length of the aquarium on a glass lid. I know i have it greatly under lighted but Im just getting started and think it looks pretty decent to me for FOWLR. I know the LEDs will be WAY better and I do want to have some bells and whistles (sunrise/sunset, multiple channels, etc) that would make the whole thing alot better.

Everything on this tank has been a struggle to keep costs in check, and this includes lighting. Ive been following a few threads about lighting and we do have the more reasonably priced Evergrow brand available in Canada. Ron and others had commented on this brand being of good construction and well priced for what you get.

My question is, with the size of tank that I have, is it ok to have LED lights running down center of 32" wide aquarium or is it better to have 3-4 small units (16") running side to side to light more of the edge??

The lights im looking at are Evergrow Aquaocean IT (3w and 5w LED) or just the Evergrow IT (3w). I know height of lights will affect penetration to bottom of 32" and would appreate your thoughts on best setup.

Help!

 

[Ron Reefman]

If budget is an issue, why in the world did you get such a big tank?:fun4:

The 87" long can be dealt with, but yes, the 32" front to back is an issue. Most fixtures only cover 24" over a 24" deep tank. If you can get your's up 12" or even 18" off the water you can probably cover the front to back while still running the fixtures parallel to the tank.

As long as you don't go crazy and start doing high light sps corals, 2 of the 32" fixtures should be enough because your tank is 32" deep and you can have them a bit higher off the water. So you can cover the gaps and ends. I'd do 4" or 5" in from the ends and that would give you 7" or 6" gaps between fixtures. It should work OK IMHO. And for 32" fixtures you are looking at $1400 roughly.

EverGrow makes good fixtures, maybe links to the ones you are considering would help. Most of the US doesn't look to EverGrow as we have Reef Breeders local in the US and providing really good customer service.

If cost is an issue, have you looked at Viparspectra or Euphotica (both on Ebay). I have nn personal experience with them, but they look VERY similar to EverGrow's older styles and lower levels of control but also at lower prices.

If you go sps later on, you may need to rethink the lights. But I know of several new fixtures coming on the market in the next 6 to 12 months. So I'd wait and get new when you get to that decision point. As a bungee jumping friend of mine says, "I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it!":wildone:

 

[ca1ore]

Also depends on how you plan to aquascape. For example, I am contemplating going from a 24" wide tank to one that is also 32". I like open space, so have plans for the front 8" or so to be open sand. No strong light needed, as opposed to if you planned to put corals there. In my case, therefore, I can go with the lights I already have.

 

[fotoreceptor]

I hear you loud and clear, Ron!
Modifications to house just kinda dictated the size of tank. I guess its not so bad having a bigger tank but now its tough to kinda reel it in and control costs moving forward. I know, 1st world problems. I know.

The tank is kinda minimalistic with rock higher on one end and down to bare sand on other leaving sand at least 6" on both front and back sides of tank. The tank is along halway, so capped by storage on the ends and both sides open for viewing. Lots of open space for fish to swim. So, ca1ore, what we have is exactly what you are planning except with space on both front and back to bare sand.

The move to corals down the road is gonna be focused on easier stuff and not too demanding of corals.

Sounds like I can still run lights parallel to tank as per Ron. Would 12-18" off waters still provide good penetration to bottom of tank for corals with 3w and 5w LED?

ANything else im missing here that I need to consider??

Lights are:http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-s...0-Controllable-Full-Spectrum-LED-32-230W.html

Thanks very much for the advice.

 

[Ron Reefman]

That's virtually the same fixture I have. EverGrow makes it for Reef Breeders. I'm not sure if the EG and RB fixtures share all the same leds. I know in the old EG IT2080 and the RG Photon, there were some small differences in numbers of leds and even some colors, but the same overall fixture. I think these new ones have some small differences as well.

It's a really good fixture. If I needed a new light, I'd buy another one for sure.

 

[fotoreceptor]

Thanks for the help Ron. Huge help.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Happy to help out a Canadian friend. My dad was from Stratford, Ontario and my mom was from Cobalt, Ontario but they both ended up in Detroit, Michigan.