Need Lighting advise

[CloudIX]

Ok i got a huge 240 gallon tank. Im trying to figure out the kind of lighting that will support a reef tank. My tank is 72"long by 24"deep by 31" tall. I have my lighting strip's narrowed down to 2 different types. Either the Coralife 72" aqualight pro 250w version or the 72" Solaris 20k version. Will the solaris support corals and clams on a tank that tall? What do you guys think?

 

[gflat65]

After seeing the par readings on the Solaris, I'd say it can do anything. I didn't realize there were different versions of the Solaris. I thought it was completely programable to whatever color you want (thats what I thought from seeing it at the swap, anyway). I want one.

 

[CloudIX]

Well on there website they have 2 versions a 13k and 20k.. I was guessing that the 13k will only goto a maximum of 13k, but i could be wrong. Hopefully all these questions will get answered for us..

 

[doodoobrown]

the 20k puts on more par than the 13k. dont know much else about it. i do know that for sure though. i am doing t-5s on mine. my dimensions are 72x32x32. i only have 4 on there right now overdriven with an icecap 660 and everything loves it. my clams look better and seem happier than they did under my mhs. i plan on adding2-4 more and possibly 2 superactinic vhos since i have the ballast and stuff from my old setup.

 

[CloudIX]

well I will say that the power useage and not needing a chiller since there is no heat given off on the solaris is really tempting. I just dont want to buy a 3000 dollar lamp if it will not support the life.

 

[gflat65]

Joy tested the par of someoe elses 250W SE 20K bulb above water level and got seomthing around 250-275, but got close to 500 on the solaris... I didn't get to see the 'at depth' tests, though. Our par meter ought to be here any day now... I ordered it weeks ago.

 

[rcmike]

I wonder about water penetration also. The lamp was cool but it just didn't seem to penetrate the water like a MH lamp to me. Could be my eyes though.

I can't wait till you get the par meter, I would like to try it out sometime.

 

[TitansFan]

I saw the par tests at the swap as well. The Solaris actually penetrated deeper with more par than the 14k 250 and the 10k 250. Only thing I wasnt crazy with on the Solaris is the heavy blue look. She explained LED lights don't do well making "white" light. You won't get a 10k look with those lights.

 

[rcmike]

Maybe that is it. I like a crisp white look.

 

[SRT80]

I like blue. If i could run only actinics, I would. The only thing I didn't like about the light was the price....j/k.

Steve

 

[Fanof49ASU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9048708#post9048708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rcmike
I wonder about water penetration also. The lamp was cool but it just didn't seem to penetrate the water like a MH lamp to me. Could be my eyes though.

After seeing the one at the Critter, I didn't think it illuminated the corals like the MH. Like you, it could have been my eyes.

It also could have been on a cycle or something that was at a lower output stage. Before I laid out those kinds of $$$, I'd have to see it work on a tank like I was setting up.

 

[rcmike]

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I would love to try one. It is just the price that I don't like.

 

[CloudIX]

Ok guys.. after much searching.. i found a good review of the light here. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/review2

I also found the 72" version for less then 3000 if that helps anyone else.

 

[rsteagall]

doodoobrown, do you have full tank pics you can post?

 

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9048671#post9048671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gflat65
Our par meter ought to be here any day now... I ordered it weeks ago.

Sweet! I was going to ask you about that but decided not to because of all the stuff going on (the swap, the move, etc.). Let me know when I can get my hands on it!

TitansFan -- did they do any PAR tests on the Solaris under the water while you were there? I didn't get a chance to see how they measured the PAR under the Solaris and the MHs, and so I wonder about whether or not the readings were taken at similar distances from the light source.