lighting and flow recs

[roni]

Setting up a dual tank system and wanted some feedback about the sps system.

Tank dimensions will be 48 x 30 x 20"

Which of the following would you recommend? This will be nearly 100% SPS.

8 x 54 powermodule (new)
10 x 54 powermodule (used)
giesemann infiniti (2 250 DE MH + 4 54W T5) (used)

All of these actually are about the same price, though the MH fixture fixture is a little cheaper (~$200).

Also, looking at flow considerations.

I was originally think about 800 gph through the return and 2 tunze 6105s.

However, I've got an opportunity to pick up an MP60 for a very low price and was thinking of 1 MP60 on reef crest mode instead.

Any ideas?

 

[roni]

anyone?

 

[danil]

It depends. Your tank has nice depth (i'm jealous here) so you can line up many tubes with no problem and by chosing bulbs get "that" color. Chosing between MH and T5 might explode this thread so we are not going there... From all tanks I've seen in the last year most used t5. MP60 will defenetly work but it would be better to have multipal sources of flow. I wouldn't think about return pump as 'water flow' its just for water circulation through your sump etc. 800gph will be enough mag7 or 9.5 will do nicely. When you will start your system only time will tell what has to be changed (added or removed) depends on your lifestock and water condition.

 

[roni]

thanks, I think I've settled on the 8 x 54 PM. I'm going to run the single MP60 initially. I have a 6105 and a Tunze wavebox and may add either as the corals start to fill in.

 

[urbaneks]

I have nearly the same tank (except mine is 18" vs. 20") I have the Geisemann and love it.

As for flow, I run 2 MP40's and had to dial them down to about 60% because anything more pushes water out of the tank. My return pump is 700gph

I think if you decide to go with just one MP60, you will end up with flow issues on the opposite side of the tank.

 

[roni]

I have nearly the same tank (except mine is 18" vs. 20") I have the Geisemann and love it.

As for flow, I run 2 MP40's and had to dial them down to about 60% because anything more pushes water out of the tank. My return pump is 700gph

I think if you decide to go with just one MP60, you will end up with flow issues on the opposite side of the tank.

First, I love your tank and especially love your attention to detail. I also love the geisemann fixtures but there was a user who had both the 8 bulb powermodule and the geisemann and found that the par measurements were less for the geisemann, despite the higher power consumption.

I remember you saying the 3 nicest tanks you'd seen were with that fixture Any links?

My thought on the mp60 is to run it at the lowest setting early on and then slowly ramp up as flow requirements increase. I have an 6105 that I'll use to eliminate dead spots. I had originally gotten the mp60 with the plan to put it on a 300 but had to scale back the upgrade.

 

[njreefermadness]

An MP60 may be a bit of overkill for a 4 foot tank. These things are beasts, and you would most likely not run it anywhere near full capacity. This is kinda wasting it's capabilities. I would go for 1 or 2 mp40s mounted on either end instead.

Herb

 

[roni]

An MP60 may be a bit of overkill for a 4 foot tank. These things are beasts, and you would most likely not run it anywhere near full capacity. This is kinda wasting it's capabilities. I would go for 1 or 2 mp40s mounted on either end instead.

Herb

Yeah, definitely considering it. I already have it (planned larger tank upgrade) so may just see how it does and then sell if it's way too much.

I've decided on a the 8 bulb powermodule. It's hard to figure out what bulb combo to use, as most of it seems to be based on each person's aesthetics.

I went through several tanks to figure out which color combo was closest to what I wanted.

I've settled on the following:

8 bulb
4 B+, 2 AB SP, 1 KZ FP, 1 KZ Coral Light

based on v1. rotate's tank, which had a crisp white look, almost like the 10K + VHO look I used to have with metal halide. I'm thinking of replacing the KZ Coral light with a KZ New Generation. This would make the tank a little bluer, correct? How is the KZ New Gen bulb?

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I would do only 2 MP40 with it on reef crest mode. Nice pic with the 8 bulb fixture. The 10 bulb would be overkill.

 

[vegita51]

I have the same dimension tank except a little smaller height wise and I'm actually running a 36" 6 bulb ati fixture and it works just fine. I have a Mp40, a Mp20, and a tunze nano wave maker, which I believe doesn't do much at all but I have it. I think 2 mp40 would be good to go and probably an 8 bulb fixture x 54 watts as you have a deeper tank

 

[danil]

good luck with your tank Roni! And dont forget to post the photos!

 

[Logzor]

I am currently running a 48x30x24 tank. I'm running a 7 bulb T5 fixture and using an MP60 for flow.

The 7 bulbs is enough for coverage, wouldn't mind 8, 10 would be more than necessary in my opinion.

Regarding the flow in the tank, it's almost 100% supplied by the MP60. My return is tuned way back. The MP60 does a pretty amazing job, the pump is insanely powerful. I can push sand around in the tank pretty well if I turn it to 100%, I have fairly large grains, too. I have the MP60 set to around 65% or so.

The only issue i have with the flow is directly under the pump, some detritus gets trapped behind the rock structure. It keeps the sand in the far half of the tank completely clean, though. All of the corals get the perfect amount of flow, though. Overall I'm pretty happy with the MP60 as my only pump.

 

[roni]

Thanks everyone. Any suggestions on the bulb combo? I've got spare 6025s, 6045s and a 6105 that I can add for spot flow at a later date. My aquascaping tends to be minimalistic, which should help initially eliminate dead spots.

 

[Logzor]

Blue+ (6)
Fiji Purple (1)
KZ New Generation (1)