lighting help/suggestions

[kidkaos520]

So I am on the brink of getting a 65g deep sea aquatic tank and am debating on lighting. I know for my 40 it was said a 24' dimmable 6 bulb would be good. There are a couple factors I am dealing with the first being I do not have a canopy as of yet (don't even know if I want one) and really don't want to hang the light from the ceiling and I know ati does not come with mounting legs. The second is that a hanging light blinds me when I am sitting down. I was thinking of getting a canopy but the height is only 8 inches high I believe. What would you suggest or what would you do. Thanks in advance

 

[A. Grandis]

I have a canopy about 8 inches high on one of my systems and I place my new dimmable ATI fixture on 2 pieces of wood, on the tank (between the tank frame and the ATI fixture). The wood goes from back to the front and they are 1" X 1". I place the wood about 2 " from the sides of the tank, just to hold the fixture. I have no problems at all doing that. The new dimmable ATI is much lighter then the ATI Power Modules, so...
The canopy goes on top of the tank, covering the fixture completely, and it has opening on the top, so the heat can dissipate. That is an inexpensive type of canopy, that matches the stand, and looks OK.

I don't know if the Deep Sea Aquatics' canopy is open on the top, but the back should be open. The light fixture needs air circulation to cool off. That's very important.

IMPORTANT: You need to place the fixture on the center of the aquarium AND place the canopy towards the left side of the aquarium. So you drop the canopy and push to the left. The reason why is because the exhaust for the air circulation of the ATI fixture is on the left side. The fixture needs to be open on the top too, so the fans of the fixture can cool the system/bulbs properly. I place an extra fan on the back to the canopy to help even more the air circulation inside of the canopy.

Every time you need to do maintenance you'll need to remove everything: canopy first and the light fixture. To feed or dose anything, depending on your canopy, you'll be able to do it from the back. That's how I do.

My other systems have ATI PMs hanging from the ceiling.

If you don't want to hang from ceiling and don't like the way the light reflects on you when you sit in front of the tank, that would be the easiest way to go.

Another way would be to built the masking around the fixture. So basically you'll place the fixture on wood (as high as you want) ad you built a wood box to cover it. That would take sometime, but normally it looks good too, and you can customize it really well, if you're handy.

If you still have a chance to hang from the ceiling that is the best of all. Makes thing so easy!! And you still can make a customized masking with wood around if you want.

Hope that helps. let's see what others' ideas will pop up here...

Grandis.

 

[kidkaos520]

Can you post pics of your set up?

 

[kidkaos520]

would I be able to get away with a 4 bulb or would a 6 bulb t5 be the best

 

[A. Grandis]

Can you post pics of your set up?

I had a very hard time to upload the pictures…
I'm not good at photos as I would like to, but:

The wood is actually about 3/4" X 1 1/8" high.

Here you have a better idea of what I'm talking about:

Grandis.

 

[A. Grandis]

would I be able to get away with a 4 bulb or would a 6 bulb t5 be the best

6 bulbs would be great!

Grandis.

 

[kidkaos520]

Something else I was thinking of was going retro but I don't know the par loss or gain that I will get with each fixture. I ended up getting the canopy so it would be a shame to cover up such a nice fixture. Also IF I do decide ati would that 24'' leave dead spot in the tank since the tank is 36'' long. But if I am not mistaken a 36'' fixture would not fit in a canopy right???

 

[A. Grandis]

Something else I was thinking of was going retro but I don't know the par loss or gain that I will get with each fixture. I ended up getting the canopy so it would be a shame to cover up such a nice fixture.

There is no shame in covering the nice fixture. It's the light efficiency that matters to the organisms in the tank.

Also IF I do decide ati would that 24'' leave dead spot in the tank since the tank is 36'' long. But if I am not mistaken a 36'' fixture would not fit in a canopy right???

Oh yeah, there is a big difference between a 24" and a 36" fixture for a 36" tank, of course. The 36" is the way to go. The more bulbs on the tank the better!!

My tank is called normally a 48", but the plastic frame on the top is actually 48 5/16", and the external measurement of the ATI fixture is ~ 46 inches. That makes a perfect match here, because the canopy goes wider than the tank too. There is plenty room for air scape on the sides and top.

So the answer is: really depends on the actual dimensions of the tank and the fixture.
Would be good to have a friend, the LFS or even someone here to measure their tanks/fixtures in order to help you with that.
Or maybe email the factories.
You need to know the internal measurements of the canopy also, very important.
That's the only way to know for sure"¦

Good luck and keep us posted.

Grandis.

 

[kidkaos520]

another option that was presented to me was 6 bulb retro lighting. I know its not as good as the ati but minus the ability to control the intensity and dusk dawn effect. Would this be a viable option?

 

[A. Grandis]

Do you have a link of the retro you're talking about?

ATI is better, if you can afford.
The cooling system with the reflectors all together is what makes the difference.
The included dimmable controller is a major bonus IMO!!
Just can't go wrong and it's all done for you...

Grandis.

 

[kidkaos520]

I don't know if I am allowed to post the link but it is on reefgeek under LET lighting

 

[A. Grandis]

Oh, I forgot about that. Yeah, RC doesn't like the links.

Well, those retros should be fine. Good quality reflectors, but again, no comparison to the ATI. You won't regret to have that dimmable machine over your tank!!!

If you get the money just do it.
Make sure about the measurements first!

Grandis.

 

[A. Grandis]

Here are the descriptions for the 36" ATI with 6 bulbs:

Details
ATI 36" 6x39W Dimmable SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture w/ Controller

The ATI Dimmable SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture w/ Built-in Controller is the latest evolution in T5 technology adding full, integrated dimming control to the proven performance of the original SunPower. Compared to other lighting systems with dimming control, the ATI Dimmable SunPower offers an unmatched combination of output and control at an affordable price-point.

Fixture Includes:
- Built-in controller.
- Individual parabolic-style reflectors made from silver-coated 98% reflective aluminum.
- Active cooling system.
- Built-in electronic ballasts.
- Acrylic shield.
- 6-foot power-cord.
- Sleek, adjustable ‘Grip-Lock’ style hanging kit.

Product Features:
- Built-in controller with LCD screen and push button interface.
- Active cooling system with thermostatically controlled fans.
- Warranty: 1-Year Manufacturer's Limited Warranty.

Specifications:
- Common Sizing Guideline: soft coral tanks up to 115 gallons, mixed reef tanks up to 95 gallons and SPS dominated tanks up to 80 gallons.
- Recommended Tank Depth: up to 30" with carefully planned placement of corals.
- Power Consumption: approximately 234 Watts.
- Warranty: 1-Year Manufacturer's Limited Warranty.

Product Highlights:
1. Superior Lighting Control: With 10 individual set-points, the built-in controller produces much more realistic dawn-dusk and daylight simulations than non-dimmable fixtures.
2. Unbeatable Performance: Superior design and high-end components produce 50% more light than most other equally-sized T5 fixtures. An active cooling system allows bulbs to run at a more optimal temperature, improving both bulb output and bulb life.
3. Plug & Play: With the built-in controller there is nothing more to buy.
4. Clean, Contemporary Design: The slim, silver colored body is lightweight, durable, rust-proof and just 2.1” high. All components including the controller and T5 ballasts are built into the fixture housing with the only item external to the fixture being a single power-cord.
5. Energy Efficient: Produces up to 50% more light than most other equally sized T5 fixtures, without using more energy.
6. Quiet, Cool Operation: Runs cool and produces virtually no noise.

Why T5’s:
1. Tried and True Method: T5’s are a proven method for growing all types of coral including sps corals and clams.
2. More Vibrant Colors: Compared to other lighting options T5 bulbs come in a wide variety of unique color spectrums which offers greater flexibility and more options for enhancing each corals unique color. And with T5 bulbs costing about $20 each, it’s inexpensive to “play” with different color combinations.
3. Superior Light Balance: T5's are a linear source of light, not a point source of light so corals don't have a particular point to grow towards. This produces corals that are typically much fuller than corals grown under point sources of light like metal halides or LED’s.
4. Save Money: With a lower up-front cost than high-end metal halide and LED systems and the low cost of bulb replacements, a T5 system is typically cheaper to purchase and operate than a comparable metal halide set-up and typically on PAR with a comparable LED system.

Short Description
36" 6x39W Dimmable SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture w/ Controller
Product Dimensions: 35.0" x 13.4" x 2.1" (L x W x H)
Brand: ATI
Product Line: Dimmable SunPower
Length: ~36"

Now you'll need to measure inside of the fixture.

Grandis.

 

[kidkaos520]

seems the canopy is pretty hard to find only thing I know about it is it is 31x21x8

 

[A. Grandis]

You'll need to expose your questions to the company.
Go to their web site and contact them.
Tell the you want to fit a 35.0" x 13.4" x 2.1" (L x W x H) ATI fixture inside of the hood and that you'll need the internal measurements.

If you didnt buy the hood yet't should consider hanging the fixture. It's so much better. More air exposure.

Grandis.

 

[pelfiredc]

I had a tough time with hood or hanging and the LEDs didn't have a option but to hang.... I bought bright silver electrical conduit and put in a clean looking elbow a another measured out over CRT of tank. Capped end , tapped holes for eye hooks and wahhhhlahhhh..... Looks clean and contemporary. It is braced in back of tank w brackets at bottom and 1/2 way up on the stand.....not sure if this helped but.....

 

[kidkaos520]

It does help thanks