Lighting for 3ft cube shallow reef

[Dlealrious]

Hi Guys

I am building a 32"x32x18" shallow reed and need some advice for lighting that will give enough coverage. Im looking at keeping mixed reef of a few sps- acros and monti's, and lps- Acans and zoas
Tank is viewed on 3 sides(front is entry hall, back is sitting room) so i am having a cental coral placement.(hole in wall of entry looking into tank) All coral will be at least 3 inch off the glass all the way round.
Im torn between T5H0 and LED. I cant find anything on spread t5's will give me though. Cost wise i think t5's upfront cost are better depending on how many i need

Any advice is appreciated

 

[Dlealrious]

I have done a quick drawing for layout of rocks. Pretty much centre will be raised slightly and then have flat rocks around the edge

 

[Ron Reefman]

Either one will work. But the 3'x3' tank can be either difficult or expensive... or both, to cover.

 

[Dlealrious]

Thanks for reply, any advice on how man t5 tubes i would need for best coverage?

 

[Jayreefer]

I would do it with a 400w Radium and one of the big hydroponics reflectors. But I still like MH so thats just my choice.

 

[minus9]

I'm building a custom 36x36x16 tank and I will be lighting it with an AP700 and T5's, but this will be a sps dominant tank. I'll either add a second AP700 or two 360's to cover and reduce shadowing if I'm not satisfied with the coverage.
LED/T5 combo is really nice.

 

[Dlealrious]

Thanks guys. Kessil is a little out of my price range for the ammount of a360 fixtures I will need but will keep an eye out for secomd hand ones. I started cutting rock and assembling on the ground to work out coverage.
I down to reefbreeders photon 24" v2 x2 or AI hydra 52x1.
Then supplement with t5 down the track once growth of corals on outter edges need it.
Kessil a360 a really expensive in oz plus i need to buy controllers etc

 

[gus6464]

Buy an MH and a big huge reflector

 

[Dlealrious]

Only thing i can see with mh is i will still need to supplement with t5 for blue light to start the day and end the day. Not concerned about ramping up and down lights but i do like having blues on at night for a coral light show. Is this what you do with your hd?

 

[Breadman03]

I've got a 400 watt halide and pair of Radions over my 36x36. The halide does fine on its own, but the Radions were already mine. I'd really consider a Reefbrite pendant with their LED strips for moonlight.

 

[Sandy Cheeks]

I like the idea of a single Radium with one of those Lumenarc, Lumenbrite or Lumenmax; basically anything "lumen" reflectors, the large one should cover the whole tank and since you want to concentrate light in the center I'd say a 250W will be more than good since your tank is shallow.
I'm in the market for a 36x36 cube and already got a Lumenarc for it.

 

[Dlealrious]

Thanks guys awesome info and suggestions. Hard to find alot of people with the same tank size
Will look into these options for sure

 

[Dlealrious]

Hi guys still pondering on my lights. After more research i think i am going to go with LED due to ongoing cost of T5 and heat from MH/cost of bulbs.
My question now is would the XR30G4 Pro or 2x AI Hydra HD or 1x AI hydra 52 HD