Lighting suggestion for 225 reef tank?

B

blennielove

New member
Greetings everyone at RC!
I think this is the time to start working on my 225 reef tank! It measures 72 inches (L), 24 inches (W), 28 inches (H). It has a canopy which is 6 inches tall. I don't want to part with the canopy as it matches the stand so perfectly.
My original thought was to get the Coralife Aqualight Pro Metal Halide Retrofit with 3x150W HQI metal halide and 4x96W compact fluorescents.
I've read a lot of other choices, so...what do you think?
Now, I've learned that a lot of people would read and not post, but I really want your thoughts, so PLEASE SHARE WHAT YOU THINK!
Thanks in advance!
:wave:
 
I'd suggest ReefGeek and go retrofit. Go with the best reflectors that will fit your tank. I think Lumenbright reflectors are too tall for your canopy. Go 3 ea 250w MH lights and stagger 4' T5's for supplements (2 front , 2 back).

THe light fixture you refered to is decent but the PC's arent very versitile in color and or strength compared to T5's..
 
Hello. I just found this from Hamilton Technology:
6' Retrofit Kit with 3-250W 14000K Metal Halide & 4-39 Watt HO T5 Super Actinics & Polish Aluminum Refelctor for $879
What do you think? Sounds good or any other thoughts???
I know that Henry's not the only one reading this post! Share your thoughts with me!!! :0
 
Canopy is 6" tall? Is that the inside clearance from water line?

The 150w HQI will not penetrate deep enough in such a tall tank and you'd have to keep everything very high up. For that matter, you say reef..... but, are you talking mixed reef or LPS, or SPS dominant? I was running a 6x80w T5 retrofit setup from reefgeek on my 225 with success for a while.

Reefgeek 6x80

There's a wealth of information regarding T5's here; The T5 Q&A Thread

Come back after you've read all 25 splits :D
 
Thanks Wookwrangler for your thoughts!
Yeah...My canopy is 6" tall from the glass covers which is 1 inch from water line. I know I'm cutting it very close and may catch the wood canopy a-fire if you know what I mean.
I was just reading about T5s before I checked back here.
I realize that with what I'm doing, to not read (all the 25 splits...) is not taking advantage of the wealth of information available.
Thanks!!!
 
Oh, about the corals. I lean towards LPS as I LOVE the way they sway in the water. I had the fantasy of SPS with a family of green damsels but ...LPS, definitely easier!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15540343#post15540343 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blennielove
Hello. I just found this from Hamilton Technology:
6' Retrofit Kit with 3-250W 14000K Metal Halide & 4-39 Watt HO T5 Super Actinics & Polish Aluminum Refelctor for $879
What do you think? Sounds good or any other thoughts???
I know that Henry's not the only one reading this post! Share your thoughts with me!!! :0
Click to expand...

NOW, you're talkin. That'd do the job.

AND.... Trust me, sooner or later you'll want to add things that will need the light. LPS need decent to high light also. Then there's clams and sooner or later you'll find an SPS that you cannot pass up ...
 
Thanks again Henry for checking back!
Do you think that the Hamilton Tech set up will get too hot as my canopy is 6 inches from water line? It might even melt the top of my tank. It has three plastic bar things going from front to back, then there is plastic on the glass tops where makes it open-able so I can feed the critters? The canopy is open in teh back and the top has slits for ventilation. I'm planning on installing four 4" fans to help with heat dispersion.
Woodwrangler had suggested T5s and I know those don't produce anywhere as much heat as the MHs.
All you people out there with tanks, you've gotta have lights so...what are your thoughts and experiences?
 
Im a bit stuck on this same subject. I have a new 225 that is 72x30x24. The tank is built like "tank". Its 3/4" acrylic with a center brace that is 8" wide. I wanted euro bracing but this tank was brand new and to good of a deal to pass up. Now im stuck on how to light it. I am thinking two 400's is the best i could do. I would like to stick the new fixtures from elos in there, but i am afraid i will not have enough spread. If i could get away with 25o's i would be super excited. I dont need to blast the center of the tank, i can use the dimmer section for other corals. The tank will be dominated with SPS.. but once again, i dont need the entire tank full of coral. Im happy with a few islands. My lighting will be on top of an exposed top, no canopy. Can i tag along here for some ideas?
 
blennie,

I think the fans are a must. The fans are what is going to keep the plastic around the top from warping. On a 120 I ran 2 ea MH250's (tank was 24" deep and 4' long). It was plenty for the tank. The reflectors were set up above the openings on either side of the center brace. I had fans running in it and never had a problem but I did run a chiller (and needed it in Texas)

I run T5's and love them. I am using an Aquactinics Solar Flare. If I was doing it again, I would look at the ATI fixture(s). They are very nice, run cool and have plenty of punch for SPS. The T5's are a bit cooler but that can be argued in that the heat is just spread out over a longer area, giving the "opinion or observation" that they are not as hot. My opinion is that a watt is a watt and while T5's may be more efficient, they can still add heat to a tank. The fans in mine do run throughout their cycle during the day and they DO put out some heat. I still run a chiller and have not run the AC much this year but it has been pretty mild this summer. Chiller comes on in the latter part of the day when the house gets up to 78-80... FWIW

BrokeCocoReefer, fans are a must for you tooo... If you didnt have to go with a fixture, I'd get the Lumenbright reflectors built ready to hang and put 3 250's over that tank and be done with it. Or go like Melev did and put 250's on each end and a 400 in the middle. He simulates the sun by bringing them on (and off) 1 hour 15 minutes from each other across the top of the tank.

My 2 cents FWIW....
 
put a 400 over my center brace?, as far as fans go.. i really have very few issues with heat (it was 33* this morning at my house) and i run a chiller. My old tank was a 48x48x 30 with 4 250's, and i had to heat it to keep it at 78*. I have never had a tank with a heavy brace like this, the way the tank is built i would aruge that a brace was needed at all. The tank is built of 3/4" acrylic and only 24 inches tall. ..
 
at 24" deep, i would go with the 250's. i have 2-250w in lumenarcs over my 30" tall tank and i keep 85%sps in the tank with no issues. you can mix it up with some 14k on the ends with a 20k in the middle if you looking to spice things up.
 
Hi Henry, thank you for all your input!
I'll start looking at the plans for the Hamilton Tech retrofit and a couple of T5 combinations and start measuring my exact canopy dimensions and maybe do as many fans I can put in there. I want something that is not too complex as I've gotta take care of this tank thing all by myself... ;)
I've had a 28 gal nano with HQI and had to get a chiller last week because of the amazing amount of heat.
Anyone else with thoughts and ideas, please feel free to share them!
 
Hello Blennielove,

I have a 220 gallon set-up and have tried both the Halide and T5 option.
I started out with a 72" retrofit that has 3 x 400W halides combined with two 72" VHO's. I bought it at Champion Lighting and cost me $1150 plus. I used that for about six months. I was very happy with it but there was alot of heat. I also started out with a 8" canopy but ended up modifying it and adding a 3" board all the way around to raise it to 11" canopy. Now I have plenty of space. I also ran 3 fans out the back of the canopy and removed the lid on the top so air could circulate easily. The aquarium ended up being quite tall so you don't even notice the lid was removed.

I didn't really want to invest in a chiller so I tried switch to T5's.
Now I Am running six of the 5' long high output 80W bulbs made by ATI. The light is not as bright but It did cool down quite a bit. I have mostly softies and LPS and seem to be doing well. I did try some SPS one time with the T5's but they didn't survive. Not sure if it was due to light or other issues. Sad thing is I still ended up buying the chiller so now I have two sets of lights. Currently running the T5's.

I am trying to sell the halide retro unit and am looking to sell for $525. The thing would be a pain to ship though. It's long and the E-Ballasts are fairly heavy. Am trying to sell locally in South Dakota.

Anyway...thought I would share my experience. I think the Halides were the better set-up but just to hot for me. I think you would want to try and raise modify your canopy to allow for more space if possible.
 
Thanks all for your input! :)
I will do some active trials and post back once I decide on a set up and hopefully I'll post pictures (that is if I figure out how to make the files smaller). I was made aware today that MarineLand is coming out with a new LED set up that is more economical! How sweet would that be!
 
Greetings Everyone at RC! :wave:
Since the last time I've written, I've decided to get rid of my canopy. It nice and matches my cabinet perfectly BUT it will definitely cause heat issues and possibly others in the long run. After looking at most people's reef tanks WITHOUT canopy, it looks rather nice and airy.
I'm down to a couple of choices:
Hamilton BELIZE SUN 250W 10K HQI + 4 x 96 Watt Compact Fluorescents + LED Lighting Systems
VS
Coralife Aqualight Pro Metal Halide Aquarium Light Fixture, 3X250W HQI & 4X96W Compact Fluorescents, 72 inch
I'm planning on hanging them instead of using legs as there are those three plastic things running across the top of my tank.
I guess with the specs, it is really down to the brand Hamilton versus Coralife.
Please let me know what you think!
Oh, and I've rechecked my tank height, it is 30"!
Thanks in advance!!!
 
The Hamilton units are known for their quality and effect. They are good lights !

My recomendation would be to go for the Hamilton but increase the bulb rating to 14K and you wont ever have any lighting issues. 10K's are great for growth but a bit yellow for my taste. The Coralife, while a good light system just isnt in the same quality league as the Hami. The last time I looked closely at the units by the two listed mfgr's, the reflectors were the significant difference (in my opinion) and the Hami's build quality was pretty evident. The Coralife wasn't bad but the Hamilton was built to last...

Lastly, with a 30" depth, you should have some real neat rockscaping options. If the water quality is there (GOOD skimmer) you'd easily be able to keep more sensitive corals including SPS, just don't plan on putting them in the bottom 8" of the tank. BUT, the bottom should be perfect for LPS and lower light corals.

HTH !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Niven
I'm back....and ready to jump back in, feet first in the deep end, speedo, everything!
2
Replies
24
Views
796
griss
griss
A
How to Install Linear Actuators for Easy Lifting of Your Reef Tank SPS Light
Replies
4
Views
2K
oreo57
oreo57
pblogic
Returning to the hobby - could use tank suggestions
Replies
11
Views
2K
Reefing102
Reefing102
D
Custom 250 rimless reef tank for sell
Replies
0
Views
1K
derrell
D
JustSalty
New tank setup… slate for canopy? Too heavy?
Replies
7
Views
1K
JustSalty
JustSalty
Back
Top