lighting for my SPS frag tank

[bigfalcon36]

Hello everyone!

I am in the process of setting up a frag tank that is 48"L x 24" x 12"-18"H (I haven't determinded the heigth yet). I want to put T5 lighting on it because it is going to be strictly SPS (ok maybe a few softies), and T5 operate cheaper than metal halides do and the PAR is usually better on the German bulbs.

My real question is if I get a retro fit kit that is Icecap430/660 driven with Icecap SLR's, would I need two or three bulbs and would the T5 output be too much for this shallow of a tank? Please keep in mind that this is only a frag/growout tank not my display.

Let the opinions fly, please!

Thanks,
Travis

 

[dvanacker]

with a 24" width....go for a 660 4x54w T5's(overdriven) with SLRS. Gernerally this would be good for SPS to 18" width but since your frag tank is shallow you should be good to go.

 

[bigfalcon36]

Thanks for the feedback, I will for sure consider that!

 

[JMBoehling]

Just setup a 33 long. Burning (02) T5HO's ( ATi Sun & ATi Aqua Blue) and everything is looking great. The beauty of T5's is the even coverage of light throughout the entire tank.

 

[JMBoehling]

Big Falcon,

I would think 8" would be perfect for the height. You bring the light closer to the frags and you maximize the water flow from your sump over the frags. My 33 looks like a river flowing because I only use about 8" of the 12" tall tank. Just a thought

 

[bigfalcon36]

So you're saying to go less than 12" and make the total tank height 8" or suspend the lights 8"above the frag tank...I think I am just reading your message incorrectly.

Thanks for the info thought...it's what I am looking for.

 

[FishPharm]

Travis, a bit off topic..... But how do you maintain good water quality? Is your frag tank plumbed inline with your display or do you keep a seperate filteration system?

 

[JMBoehling]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6972907#post6972907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigfalcon36
So you're saying to go less than 12" and make the total tank height 8" or suspend the lights 8"above the frag tank...I think I am just reading your message incorrectly.

Thanks for the info thought...it's what I am looking for.

Water depth 8" and suspend the lights about 6 inces above the water surface. I designed my Frag setup around Maximizing flow through my main tank with less overall heigth, forcing more water throught the frags.

 

[dvanacker]

Make it what ever height you want....but dont mount the T5's 6" above the waters surface.

I have mine about 3" ....maybe less.

 

[tonkadawg]

Just thought I would share my set up - I have a 48"x24"x12" frag tank, water level runs at 10". I am running 2x110VHO 03, 2x54 T5 blue+ and 2x250HQI - 10K and 14K.

So far I really am happy I with the set up. One thought on going with a deeper tank is that you get more total water volume, but if you want to move your corals closer to the lights, all you need to do is add an egg crate shelf. So I would definitely recommend you run a depth of 12-18".

 

[bigfalcon36]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6973349#post6973349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishPharm
Travis, a bit off topic..... But how do you maintain good water quality? Is your frag tank plumbed inline with your display or do you keep a seperate filteration system?

I would say that my quality is good...I do the usual maintenance, and it would be plumbed into my other stuff to raise the system volume.

Thans for all the input guys, keep it coming.