Lighting a 2ft cube

[stevedola]

what would you guys use to light a 2ft cube sps reef? I like T5s but Im thinking of a MH + T5 lighting.

ideas? thoughts? just getting info on nice fixtures available to me.

 

[91yota]

lumenarc/max pendant with a nice 250w bulb... i like RL10k's but most people like a little more blue

 

[stevedola]

id like to have the dusk/dawn effect. any idea?

 

[91yota]

open top or in a canopy?

if it's in a canopy, grab an icecap 430 and a couple T5s or VHOs

 

[91yota]

forgot to add... if you are trying to find an all in one "fixture" i'd skip it... IME the MH reflectors in them are junk and by the time you pay for a "package" to have everything in one fixture, you spend more money and get an inferior product... i personally like to piece my stuff together to get exactly what i want

 

[stevedola]

so im prolly better getting a lumenarc pendent than a geismann fixture. im not too kean on the look of a big reflector hanging from the ceiling. im also not interested in building a canopy. this is alot tougher than lighting my 75. maybe ill just bite the bullet and buy an ATI T5 fixture.

 

[Reefer08]

ditch the lumenarc and get some serious light output with the lumenbright.

 

[sus]

I haven't seen the lunenarc, but I love my lumenbright. I have mine over a 40 breeder and it spills a bit of light out the front and back, but is a little dim on the sides. I think it would light a 2x2 just perfect.

 

[stevedola]

yeah im starting to lean towards a lumen bright black pendant with a icecap 250 ballast for the tank.

 

[Mike O'Brien]

Check out Advanced Aquarist January 2009 » Product Review: Analyzing Reflectors: Lumenbrite III, Lumenmax Elite, Lumenmax, and Lumenarc III

The LumenMax 3 would be a nice fit for that tank. Problem is adding the T-5's. I have the LumenMax 3 with a pair 24" T-5, but I have it all inside a pendant because it just wouldn't look that good with the T-5's.

 

[sus]

I am running the coralvue ballast and 12k reeflux bulb. I really am liking this combo. I think the color is just right without any supplemental lighting.

 

[stevedola]

thats what ive been hearing. the 12k reeflux are the way to go with out any need of actinics. when did coralvue ballasts become so popular? does anyone use ice cap ballasts or are the coralvue better suited for the LB reflectors?

 

[Mike O'Brien]

I like the color of the reeflux bulb, but the growth is pretty slow with it. IMO the pheonix 14 k is the best choice for good color without suppliments and still growing corals. I'm using the ushio 14 k, and that's got even more PAR, but it's more of a whit color. I don't think it would look good alone.

I like the Lumatek ballast.