Lighting dilemma

[titoav15]

As some of you may already know I ordered a frag tank from John at AA. I have done some research in regards to what kind of light I should get and still have no concrete answer. I did manage to find out in the lighting forum that for the kind of stuff I plan to grow all I need is a 2 bulb t5 (lps and softies). So here is the deal. The tank size is 24" x 16" x 8" (original dimensions where 20" x 16" x 8") I set it to 24 just to be more standard with lights and more room of course. I would really like a 4 bulb fixture but I would really like the 14k or dawn dusk look as well. The nice thing about the 4 bulb is that its possible to have both day and dusk effect, I am not so sure with a 2 bulb t5. My other option is going led with this one, its a new venture but its very expensive so I would like to do this on a budget if I went led like $350 or so max preferable stay in $200 range. I was looking at the par 38 bulbs but I believe that they act as a supplement more than primary lighting. Any ideas on led? I know there is a ~$600 AI SOL that is dimmable and controllable cool light but way out of what I would like to spend, I mean I would much rather do it for my display first Any input/options on this? :idea:

 

[davidpesce]

I'm fairly new to the whole scene, but between T12, T5, PC, and LED I've seen explosive growth under 3w LEDs.

I built from scratch using pieces from RapidLED, but you can save a few bucks and buy it all individually. I honestly can't see running any other type of lighting... although I've never done MH. Between the heat, cost, and recurring cost I don't think I ever will.

 

[titoav15]

MH is out of the question, for the reasons you mentioned lol I was considering building an led light but wanted to explore all my options! Building LED sounds like fun, but I dont trust myself, I feel like I will mess something up.

 

[davidpesce]

I kinda felt like that too, but really glad I did it. No electronics experience except for as a kid making a breadboard radio with my dad.

It takes a bit to get used to the soldering of the LEDs, but in the end, it's build-able in two (8hr) days at max (2 x 2' sections).

If you get fancy and want an enclosure for it, check out the old Current USA PC fixtures. They kinda look like a dome top. All aluminum and act as an awesome heatsink. My heatsink runs at 78 degrees F and the LEDs are 81-82 degrees.

I've been meaning to post a LED build thread, but just haven't had the time. I should really do that soon!

 

[titoav15]

It would be great if you post the led thread! If I get help building I might go that route but I'm not fully convinced yet lol

 

[Capt_Cully]

I had a frag tank under 4 T5's, and I wasn't initially happy with it. But, the corals had come out of a tank which was primarily lit by MH 250's. Once they acclimated to the frag tank and the T5 lighting, I was amazed at the coloration they were gaining. That includes zoos and SPS. I didn't have much by way of LPS in there.

I think you'll be satisfied with a 4x 24 inch T5 fixture. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Here ya go....

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1963533

 

[pascal32]

I feel that a 4-bulb is the way to go with some height from the tank. I'm running a 4 bulb over my LPS 48 x 24 frag tank which is about 8-10" deep. All is doing well.

for color get what Steve has (ATI bulbs) - nicest looking T5 with awesome coloration. I used to say Blue+ with a mixed bulb added, but Steves tank looked way better.

I'll send him a PM and see if he can chime in.

 

[pascal32]

oh yeah - get something with individual reflectors, single contoured sheetmetal is much better than a single arced reflector.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Pascal is right, it's really about the reflectors. That ATI I linked has 98% reflective reflectors. A Tek light, which is very good, IMO is 96% I believe. The options with bulbs is endless too. The 24 inchers are only like $10 a piece aren't they?

I have zero input on LED's. I've never used them for anything other than moonlights, so I can't comment on them one way or another.

 

[titoav15]

Thanks Pascal and Capt_Cully, its making me feel much better with the light choice! I have a t5 with individual reflectors on my t5 and my corals love it, so since led is a "new", I will let others do the dirty work of trial and error (as much as I would really consider having one)! lol Yeah the only thing that I was debating was whether to get a 2 or 4 bulb system but I after Pascal mentioned that his lps are doing fine with it, its a safe bet to go that route. After reading many posts myself about the al mighty tek, its a safe bet to get one. Now is it worth looking at tek elite model or is it a waste of extra $$ for just a couple of fans? I mean it will be suspended up so there should be no heat transfer to the tank. will it greatly improve the bulb life?
So the options are
Tek 4x24
Tek elite 4x24
ATI 24 Inch 4x24W SunPower T5HO High-Output Fixture
Whats the best value for my money here? ATI will def break my bank but if its THAT much better I might get it!

 

[pascal32]

my opinion is that the ATI is good if you need to get through 24+" of water. with a shallow tank just lower your more affordable TEK light down. I have my NOVA fixture 14" above the waterline (measured to the bottom of the fixture). Just checked the water depth at it is 7.5" If I were to buy another fixture I would get a TEK

Personally I can't see a reason for an ATI over a shallow tank other than the fixture looks pretty.

I'm suprised to hear that TEK and ATI are that close - I thought the PAR numbers on the ATI at 24" were WAY better than the TEK. could be mistaken.

 

[pascal32]

Just went to see what the difference is between the regular and elite - looks like your decision making might be made easy by the lack of a 24" elite...

 

[Johnny C]

I owned both a Tek and ATI Powermodule; the ATI really is a lot nicer (in regards to both PAR and aesthetics), but for nearly double the price it should be. For your application, a 4x24w Tek will work great!

 

[jacksonpt]

a couple of thoughts that haven't been mentioned...

two single bulb retro kits would give you the dawn/daylight/dusk sequence you want.

if you go with 4 bulbs, no need to get a fancy high end setup unless you want the nicer looks of a really sleek fixture... you could save a little money on the kit, get better bulbs and still have plenty of light for a softie & lps frag tank.

 

[titoav15]

Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it!! Jackson, its a great idea but I don’t have the time to build a canopy and such for it at this time since my schoolwork and internship take up a lot of my time. So tek 24 x 4 it is! Thanks all, that was easy like always right? lol Next step bulbs hint hint Pascal
P.S. Good thing that I got the length of the tank changed from a 20" to a 24", that tek light would look just odd with a 20" tank?

 

[titoav15]

Current thoughts -reading my tax book or being on RC lol that's a no brainer!

 

[Gravesj1s]

I have ati pm fixture,its a 4 bulb over a 24" deep tank,I find it a bit much for lps if Im not careful with placement.That fixture puts out alot of par and I would think it maybe to much for a shallow frag tank with lps.

I'm not sure how the actual specs differ between the tec & tec elite.From memory though the tec uses convective cooling where the tec elite uses active cooling.
Active cooling can make a huge difference in par and bulb life.(See graph below)



<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm255/gravesj1s/temp_chart1.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


So from that you can see what happens, over cooling can be just as negative as undercooling.To put things in perspective a 4 bulb fixture loses about 20% of lumen output from over cooling.That would be comparable to running 3 bulbs as if you took 1 bulb out.

Under cooling isnt much per that graph but it burns the bulbs out quickly if not cooled properly.-Reason I didnt diy a fixture ,also why I chose not to go with the tec fixture.
If it were me Id do the tec elite or tx-5 cully linked above you can always just omit one bulb -its a 5 bulb fixture .
Just my thought though,good luck to you with what ever you decide-steve

 

[titoav15]

Thanks for the really helpful info Steve! I emailed the guy about the tx5 and see what is the best deal he can do. I'm now just down to 2 fixtures regular tek t5 (as Pascal mentioned, sadly no elite model in 24") or the tx5. I will see what he has to offer and post results here and lets see what the best value for my $ is. I asked him to send me pictures also it comes with 5 bulbs in it as well as 4 extra bulbs. Are there vital questions I should ask? I have never bought any used light before...

 

[Gravesj1s]

Yeah,you should ask how old it is other than the obvious- what kind cosmetic shape its in. I would ask about the reflectors as well as in if they are worn .After a while the reflective coating starts to wear off ,ime.

Anyone else have some he should ask? All I can think of