Need some help with lighting please guys

[SpSChief85]

Over a 30" cube I use 1 hydra52 and 4 t5's retrofitted, I'm beyond happy with this setup. I agree with those saying a hydrid of some sort, as far as control your not going to beat the Ai hydra 52 or radion gen3 pros then throw afew t5s in the mix and call it a day. Although going this route will probably run you around 1,000 or more depending on how fixtures you choose. Dimmable t5s are a huge plus, honestly the options are limitless with lighting these days you could get a 36" 8 bulb ati fixture and take out the two middle bulbs and put in reefbrite leds to suppliment the t5s I've seen numerous tanks like this with amazing results.

 

[madmike10000]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature1

There is a good read also on getting the most out of your bulbs also, i actually run my bulbs 2 years before changeing them out

Thanks ill read that. Actually i just found the hamilton 250 watt system with ballest for 289$ which is awesome if i could save some money. Do you think a 250 in the center would do it.

 

[AZRippster]

With the T5s I think you would be good. The only drawback with the Hamilton fixtures is they use Fulham rapid start ballasts vs. the programmed start ballasts that ATI uses. I'll eventually swap those out, but initially they are fine. They are just harder on the T5 lamps.

 

[gcarroll]

IMO, the tank look fine for where you are at in the tanks maturity. The light is probably not the issue. SPS tend to get better color as they grow into colonies. Although I hate those Chinese black box fixtures, I feel that you are not going to see much better results using a different lighting. The biggest issue I see with your SPS is you are keeping a leather coral. The leather and other soft corals of that type give off toxins that can irritate SPS. I have seen a lot of SPS tanks and all those with leather corals never achieved much more than decent colors. All those that had mind blowing colors were free from soft corals other that zoas and palys.

Change to Metal Halide in a tank that size, you will most likely have to deal with heat issues as well. Unless you have a large sump. Also you will have a tremendous amount of spill-over light as MH reflectors are designed to optimally cover tanks much wider than 18".

T5 is an option too. you would need to research what fits in your price range but you can't go wrong with ATI. You can find them right around your price range. However after adding bulbs you will be over budget.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_36_I..._Light_Fixtures-ATI-UZ3307-FILTFIT56U-vi.html

As for LED, what you have is fine but you could look at the 27" Maxspect Razor as it should have enough to light that tank and be in your price range. It includes a simple 2 channel controller. I have a friend with them over his SPS reef and is very pleased with the results.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Maxspect..._LED_Lighting-Maxspect-0M30047-FILTHO-vi.html

 

[seamonster124]

Need some help with lighting please guys

I got it until i had enough money to get something better. Im not complaining just asking suggestions for a new light why do you have to be a jerk about it.

It's this forum; packed with rude people.

If I were u I'd focus on improving water conditions, then see if your lights are not good enough. Chinese boxes do have programmable versions

 

[madmike10000]

IMO, the tank look fine for where you are at in the tanks maturity. The light is probably not the issue. SPS tend to get better color as they grow into colonies. Although I hate those Chinese black box fixtures, I feel that you are not going to see much better results using a different lighting. The biggest issue I see with your SPS is you are keeping a leather coral. The leather and other soft corals of that type give off toxins that can irritate SPS. I have seen a lot of SPS tanks and all those with leather corals never achieved much more than decent colors. All those that had mind blowing colors were free from soft corals other that zoas and palys.

Change to Metal Halide in a tank that size, you will most likely have to deal with heat issues as well. Unless you have a large sump. Also you will have a tremendous amount of spill-over light as MH reflectors are designed to optimally cover tanks much wider than 18".

T5 is an option too. you would need to research what fits in your price range but you can't go wrong with ATI. You can find them right around your price range. However after adding bulbs you will be over budget.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_36_I..._Light_Fixtures-ATI-UZ3307-FILTFIT56U-vi.html

As for LED, what you have is fine but you could look at the 27" Maxspect Razor as it should have enough to light that tank and be in your price range. It includes a simple 2 channel controller. I have a friend with them over his SPS reef and is very pleased with the results.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Maxspect..._LED_Lighting-Maxspect-0M30047-FILTHO-vi.html

I wouldn't mind going t5 but that rim cuts off alot. The hole is 12" × 30" on top. I think it would definitely cut off 6" of light on each side. Thats why im thinking halide. The sump is 40 gallons. And heat is not a problem. But you mentioned spill over. Is there a reflector for this kind of tank? . The tank was made in 02 by oceanic and having the rim around it makes me think that the intended light for this was a halide.

 

[gcarroll]

If your hole is only 12 x 30 you will get not much more than 50-60% of the light output from a metal halide. It just isn't designed to light a narrow area.

 

[madmike10000]

If your hole is only 12 x 30 you will get not much more than 50-60% of the light output from a metal halide. It just isn't designed to light a narrow area.

Yeah idk why they put this thing on there it just makes it harder to pick anything.

 

[shifty51008]

A mh will light that just fine but yes spill over will be an issue, a canopy would help with that.

 

[shifty51008]

There are also mh fixtures that will sit across the top of the tank so it wouldnt need hung that will also cut down on spill over

 

[gcarroll]

Fact: MH reflectors are designed to light an area of 24-36" x 24-36". It is a waste of light in this case. The opening to the tank is 30" x 12". IMO, you will get all the heat and half the light.

Personally I would rule out T5 as well as you could at best put up a 4 bulb fixture. as 6 buib would be wider than that opening.

 

[shifty51008]

Yes i know what mh can light but the light starts at the middle and goes out, so yes it will light an area bigger than he needs but it will light his whole tank in the process. It is no diff than people that run mh over their skinny 55 gal tanks. I dont know of anyone that has bought a tank that were perfect dimentions just ao they wouldnt have light spill over from their mh's

 

[C3hutson]

IMO, the tank look fine for where you are at in the tanks maturity. The light is probably not the issue. SPS tend to get better color as they grow into colonies. Although I hate those Chinese black box fixtures, I feel that you are not going to see much better results using a different lighting. The biggest issue I see with your SPS is you are keeping a leather coral. The leather and other soft corals of that type give off toxins that can irritate SPS. I have seen a lot of SPS tanks and all those with leather corals never achieved much more than decent colors. All those that had mind blowing colors were free from soft corals other that zoas and palys.

Change to Metal Halide in a tank that size, you will most likely have to deal with heat issues as well. Unless you have a large sump. Also you will have a tremendous amount of spill-over light as MH reflectors are designed to optimally cover tanks much wider than 18".

T5 is an option too. you would need to research what fits in your price range but you can't go wrong with ATI. You can find them right around your price range. However after adding bulbs you will be over budget.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_36_I..._Light_Fixtures-ATI-UZ3307-FILTFIT56U-vi.html

As for LED, what you have is fine but you could look at the 27" Maxspect Razor as it should have enough to light that tank and be in your price range. It includes a simple 2 channel controller. I have a friend with them over his SPS reef and is very pleased with the results.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Maxspect..._LED_Lighting-Maxspect-0M30047-FILTHO-vi.html

Spillover depends HIGHLY on the reflector.

 

[Ron Reefman]

It was not my intention to be a "jerk". I was asking questions I thought would make it clearer what you want and why you want it. You seem to think there is something missing in your led fixture. I just wonder what you think it is? Sorry if you took it the wrong way. I'll leave you alone.