Lighting Help Please

[Doc_Polit]

I am re-posting this query as I received no responses in the equipment forum.

I am planning a 120 gallon (48" x 24" x 24") Starphire reef tank with only softies and LPS.

My tank has top trim, glass strapping on the edges and a 12" centre brace. :headwally:

I can remove the trim, strapping and brace in favour of euro-bracing, but it would mean a tremendous amount of work as this tank is very well-built.

As an alternate option, would it work to place a 150 MH pendants over the open 16" gaps and supplement with 10,000k T5 (x2) and Actinic T5 (x2)?

I would rather not have to modify the tank if possible.

Thanks, in advance, for your feedback! :wavehand:

 

[thegrun]

Either MH or LEDs would work, although I would lean towards 250 watt MH if you have even a small chance you may want to keep SPS corals in the future. The 12" center brace seems way too wide, I personally would replace it with a 6" wide brace.

 

[Doc_Polit]

Either MH or LEDs would work

I would LOVE to put Kessil A150w LED's over it but their calculator says I'd need 4.

Definitely out of my wage bracket. :sad1:

 

[gonebad395]

Try ai sol led for a option

 

[thegrun]

Try ai sol led for a option

With the AI SOL Blue you would need three units especially with that center brace. I love that light (I have one on my 24" x 24" cube) and in the long run they would be less expensive to run, but it is a big up front cost.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'd suggest two 250w MH. Your tank is 24" deep and the 250w will be more effective at penetrating that deep than a 150w would.

Don't sweat the glass brace. Sure it will reduce the light penetration some, but your corals will hardly notice the difference. I have an 18" brace (two 9" braces side by side actually) on my 180g (it's a really old tank). So you have to move a few corals up a bit in order to get the same light. It's not a big deal.

 

[robertcedgar]

Ron's right. I have a 130 (48x24x26) with a large center brace. I have 2x250 for lighting and it's no problem at all. I can grow anything. Don't concern yourself with a modification, leave it as is and use the 250s for lighting as opposed to 150s.

 

[BigCountry74]

u could run 3 of these,

http://www.aquariumleds.com/products/120-Watt-Aquarium-LED-14K-3-Watt-LEDs.html

and hang/mount them side ways, versus true horizontal.

I run 3 hanging true horizontal over a 6' tank (24" deep). i have a center brace as well, so I hung that light a few inches lower than the ones of the side.

they are currently supporting anenemes and LPS very well, everything at the bottom of the tank. they could handle SPS up top, but i am still way too new to the hobby for SPS.

Just throwing out some options.

 

[Doc_Polit]

Thank you all for the great tips and advice.

Much appreciated. :thumbsup:

I'll keep you posted as plans become action.