Need lighting suggestions - 7-10" deep frag tank.

[jnfallon]

Hey all,

Converting my in-sump fuge into a frag tank. Water level varies a little, but never less than 7 " or more than 10"

Need a recommendation for a 36" fixture that I can put about 5" above water. No MH. Too much heat and too tall (This is inside my stand). I'm thinking t5 or vho, but I have only used mh so I dont have much experience.

Its just for sps. No zofties/zoos

Your help is appreciated.

Justin

 

[TimSalty]

I have kept SPS with my VHO lighting a few years back when I lived in PA, but you'd have to change the bulbs every 6 months. After that the corals will start to bleach out and loose there coloring. 150W MH would be better, but the heat is always an issue.

I just bought new bulbs for my 72" VHO set-up.

Oh yea, my SPS corals always had to be within 7 to 10 inches from the water surface. So that shouldn't be an issue for your frag tank.

TTYL Justin and good luck.

 

[keefsama2003]

Justin there are a few T5 fixtures you can use
that would probably be good under there

OCEANIC SYSTEMS - CL 36" AQUA T5 DOUBLE STRIP

being one of them

SIZE- 36 INCH / DIMENSIONS- L34.38 X W1 X H3

and you should be able to mount them under the stand.

I h ave used them before and they work. and are very good.

 

[pecan2phat]

It's freakin cold in montauk, just suck it up and put a dual 150w DE 14K halides in there :lol:

 

[jnfallon]

Hi Tim. Not sure Vho would do it, although I am open to the idea. I would like the corals to be able to go right back into main tank under 4 x 400 mh ,and am concerned that even if they got acclimated to the low light of the vho, they would cook once in main tank. Hopefully someone who has done it will chime in.

Hey Keith. I'll look at that. I have never used T5. I know they do put out some serious strength light. DO you think 2x t5 would be the correct wattage for this application? Or 4x?

Hi Warren. You should talk, living out there in East Bumblestan. I bet you use a lot more mag-flake than I do. I have only shovelled snow once in 8 years since moving from CT.

 

[keefsama2003]

Justin honestly i would go with 4 if i were doing it tho i wouldnt get a fixture i would get a retro kit and power with a nice icecap 660 and have the SLR reflectors on there.

You will be surprised to say the least.

if you have any other questions just email me keith@keithandpam.net

or you can do like warren said and put the MH's under there granted you have enough room.

 

[puckbs]

i would say go with the t5's, i would assume 4 would be best. one thing to look for in the fixtures is that each light has an individual reflector. which might in turn, decide how many bulbs you can fit. maybe retro 3?

 

[keefsama2003]

if the lights are going under the 375 you should be able to fit anywhere between 4-6. i can fit 6 T5 with SLR reflectors ontop of a 75 so yours shouldnt be too hard like i said let me know

 

[jnfallon]

Thanks guys.

Never using t5, i'm pretty clueless. I could fit 4 for sure, maybe 6. Is there any worry about too much t5 lighting?

6x39 is only 234w, so that doesnt seem too much. I am worried about the shallow depth, but I will wire so i can turn off half the lights or vary lighting schedules if need be.

 

[puckbs]

lol, its not about what its going under, its about what its going over, i have no idea what kind of sump it is you can also raise and lower the height of the lights over the tank until you find what works best for you

 

[jnfallon]

heh. its pretty wide Brad. Like 18 inches. Only 18" tall though, and lights will have to sit right on top.

To leave room for turning off return pump, I only have about 10 inhes of water in there, and the frags will sit on eggcrate on top of 1/2 inch pvc. Its like having a 40 breeder, but only filled up half way or so.

I think I'll buy a 4x36 fixture with 2 light switches and slr reflectors. I dont want to wire myself because there is a ton of spray down there (skimmer, overflow).

Think thats enough wattage? Thats only 156w. Any suggestions on lights? I'm thinking all 10k right?

Thanks,

J

 

[puckbs]

its hard to not get wrapped up in wattage, but that doesn't tell the whole story. a unit like you describe will be very bright and most likely be sufficient. you're gonna have to watch the humidity down there, cause even if the fixture has fans, its gonna be pulling in salty moisture.

as far as color temp, and someone will have to jump in here....lower k's will help with growth and the higher k's will help with color? so maybe a mixture? might want to try one of the special interest forums for that one.

 

[pecan2phat]

Yo Jus,

Here's a 4x39w fixture for a bill:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1334982

 

[jnfallon]

warren,

I really, really appreciate your offer to pick that up and deliver to montauk to me.

Man, I thought you didnt like to drive all the way out here.

 

[pecan2phat]

Them your ole neck of woods. Take the ferry and drop me of some of the pink birds nest :lol:

 

[bobbbm]

Jnfallon I live in Ronkonkoma and Myself and My business partner are out in East Hampton 2-3 times a week. If you need something brought out PM me and I will be happy to meet you out that far.

 

[jnfallon]

Wow, thanks. Thats certainly appreciated.