Lighting Unusual Dimensions

[reefer91]

What MH or T5 setup would you use to light a 35.4" x 8.3" x 9.4" SPS tank?

Due to the dimensions, this tank isn't suited for anything but frags. However, I don't want to treat it only as a grow-out tank or frag tank as it will be in my living space. I want to treat it like a nano so the emphasis is on display quality color and growth, not simply growth. I can not have excessive light spilling everywhere either like I could if I did this in my work area. :lmao:

I have a couple thoughts, but would to hear any suggestions before I post them.

One request: Please don't mention LEDs for this application. T5 or MH...

Thanks for the advice, guys.

 

[reefer91]

Would a 2 bulb 36" T5 fixture work well? Would a 4 bulb fixture be too much for a 9" tall tank?

My other concern would be good color without the flexibility of at least 4 bulbs.

 

[Epicreefer]

Those dimensions look an awful lot like the mr aqua 11g tank. I used to have one myself and lit it with a two bulb t5 fixture. I kept sps and lps in it great with one actinic and one 10k, think it was a wave point fixture for $100. I always liked that look of long and thin, looks good on a desk or table, the two bulb is plenty of light to keep the sps happy. The main problem you'll run into is keeping alk stable when growth takes off.

 

[reefer91]

Those dimensions look an awful lot like the mr aqua 11g tank. I used to have one myself and lit it with a two bulb t5 fixture. I kept sps and lps in it great with one actinic and one 10k, think it was a wave point fixture for $100. I always liked that look of long and thin, looks good on a desk or table, the two bulb is plenty of light to keep the sps happy. The main problem you'll run into is keeping alk stable when growth takes off.

Yes, it is the 12 gallon long model by Mr. Aqua. What bulbs did you use and what coloration was the tank with only two bulbs? Growth?

I'm concerned about quality as far as this lighting setup goes. With bigger, traditionally shaped tanks, it's really easy to just throw money at proven equipment and have success. I'm in uncharted territory as far as lighting this type of space goes.

I wish ATI made a two bulb fixture... A four bulb ATI fixture just doesn't make sense financially for this build haha.

I'm not particularly worried about anything but flow and making a final decision on the lighting. My sump will likely be 30ish gallons of fun under the hood... Nano look without the nano issues haha.

 

[Epicreefer]

Coloration was pretty good with the stock 10k and actinic bulbs. The reflector on the fixture was less than ideal but it yield a very natural look to the tank in the 12-14k range, it had some good color under a crisp white looking light but not like a heavy actinic color popping tank. Realisticaly only two bulbs will fit over this tank so there isn't really an option. As long as you run standard filtration on it like any sps tank you will end up OK, the fact that your only 10" max from corals makes up for the lack of wattage on your fixture. A diy led is really your only other option as far as lighting.

 

[reefer91]

Coloration was pretty good with the stock 10k and actinic bulbs. The reflector on the fixture was less than ideal but it yield a very natural look to the tank in the 12-14k range, it had some good color under a crisp white looking light but not like a heavy actinic color popping tank. Realisticaly only two bulbs will fit over this tank so there isn't really an option. As long as you run standard filtration on it like any sps tank you will end up OK, the fact that your only 10" max from corals makes up for the lack of wattage on your fixture. A diy led is really your only other option as far as lighting.

Looks like I will either have to use a 4 bulb ATI fixture at 9" wide on the 8" wide tank or create my own 3 bulb fixture haha. Or use the smaller 150 watt DE MH...

Thank you for the advice. I'm fine with leds on my other experimental toy build, but I just want something that works in this one.

 

[rovster]

If it was me, I would do a 2x24(or 36 depending on how close the sides you want corals) and I know you did not want to hear this, but I would add an LED strip to the backside of the fixture, either all royal blue, or a 3 or 4:1 RB to white ratio. I would mount it to the back to retain that clean look. I think a 4 bulb would be overkill. If you really want to go custom, you could build a floating canopy, and maybe 2 24" retros and an LED strip in the middle, giving you that 3 bulb you mentioned

JMHO. That's all I'll say, LOL! Sorry


Edit: What I mentioned above is something I'm considering for a coral QT tank I'm planning for the future....

 

[reefer91]

If it was me, I would do a 2x24(or 36 depending on how close the sides you want corals) and I know you did not want to hear this, but I would add an LED strip to the backside of the fixture, either all royal blue, or a 3 or 4:1 RB to white ratio. I would mount it to the back to retain that clean look. I think a 4 bulb would be overkill. If you really want to go custom, you could build a floating canopy, and maybe 2 24" retros and an LED strip in the middle, giving you that 3 bulb you mentioned

JMHO. That's all I'll say, LOL! Sorry


Edit: What I mentioned above is something I'm considering for a coral QT tank I'm planning for the future....

I appreciate your input. I have experience with leds, but have not even considered a strip as you say. I'll have to consider it.

A two bulb + led or a 3 bulb retrofit in a floating canopy looks to be the best option.

Sounds like an interesting coral QT. I always just threw a 250 DE on there and called it a day haha.

 

[rovster]

I appreciate your input. I have experience with leds, but have not even considered a strip as you say. I'll have to consider it.

A two bulb + led or a 3 bulb retrofit in a floating canopy looks to be the best option.

Sounds like an interesting coral QT. I always just threw a 250 DE on there and called it a day haha.

It was going to be more of a QT/observation/growout/frag tank. Right now I'm all LED, and have Radions for my upgrade. But, I've always like the look of T5. Had the ATI Hybrid come out before I bought my radions, I would have done that. That said, I think RB LEDs + T5 full spectrum is the best of both worlds. Great color, with that extra "pop" you get from the LEDs. For my QT, I was going to do 4 T5 retro and a strip or 2 of Royal blue LED in the middle. Yours is just on a smaller scale. Don't want halide because of the heat and extra electricity, plus, I'm already familiar with LEDs. Not knocking halide at all, I admit they are the best with coral look and growth. If you go custom, the possibilities are endless. GL, should be a great little build.