Lighting Problem

[anthony27]

I need help with this one,

I am up grading to a 75 gallon in May and I have a 40 breeder now. I wanted to know, as of right now I have the ati 36" 6 bulb sun power. I wanted to know if this light is going to be enough for the 75 or am I going to need a new light.

I am not going to go to Mh, I like the look of the t5. I need alot of help with this. As of right now I have my light 5 inches off the tank

 

[James983]

Anthony, I don't think you have to run right out and buy a new light. ATI makes a great light. Center it over the tank and put less light loving corals on each end.

If down the road you don't like the look you can always step up.

 

[DgenR8]

I'm more of a "glass is 1/2 empty" kinda guy. My thought is that the 48" tank will look funny with a 36" light over it.
If you hide the light in a canopy, Jim's suggestion might keep you going for a while, but that's 6" on each side of the tank that will only get light that kinda spills over into that area, and today's T-5 light fixtures aren't designed to direct the light that way.
Of course, I don't have any experience with a set up like what you described, so I could be completely off base.
You're going to have to try it Anthony. What really counts is how pleased you are with the look, and how willing to work with the situation you are. You might just find that it works for you.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

As I was always told" TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT"
Well, maybe not, but do try it 1st.,

 

[username in use]

I think you could be fine for a while. Run it for a while and buy a longer light after a whipe so your not buying it all at once. One thing is those ati fixtures have a decent resale value.

 

[anthony27]

Yes they do have a very good re sale value. I wish I knew some one that had a 75 gallon set up or spare so I can put this light over it and see how it looks. :/ The lighting is going to be the main problem for me. Not realy the width of the light cause the 75 is 18" wide ( same as the 40 breeder) but what larry stated, the light will only cover the range. I mean I know ati has amazing reflectors in them, so I am not worried about the reflection but the sides and how the light will shoot down.



If any one in the club has a 75 can I come over and test to see what my light looks over the tank please. I will throw a purple digi and orange digi frag.


Vinny thank you I will def. test this out.

 

[WallysWorld]

Anthony,

My 125 has 6 inches of darkness at both ends, lights are 6 inches short. It doesn't look too bad and with the fixture 5 inches off the surface it may help or you may have to left the fixture up to maybe 7 inches to spread it out more. My lights are overclocked but even so I can't grow sps at the ends of the tank. I have the PAR meter and the readings are about 60 at the bottom ends, but if I move over to where the light is 6 inches the reading is 170 on the bottom, big difference. However to the eye you wouldn't think it was that big of a difference.

Good luck,

 

[bigsink]

Plenty of people have the 5' ATI fixtures over a 6' tank. Put the zoos and softies on the outskirts of the lights range.

 

[Beaun]

Plenty of people have the 5' ATI fixtures over a 6' tank. Put the zoos and softies on the outskirts of the lights range.

My thoughts as well, just keep lower light stuff on the edges and you should be fine.

 

[anthony27]

Thank you for all the advice.