got a new idea for a lighting set-up:
i want to have low heat, low energy, very good intensity and high flexibility. i was thinking about going with an 8 bulb or 6 t5 set-up. but i think this will give me the options i want and the best of both worlds while removing most if not all the potential negatives.
here it is, going on a 65g (36x18x24 aga center braced) reef with emphasis on sps and lps.
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
l l
l --- 70w hqi --- --- 70w hqi --- l
l l
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
i figure i could play around with bulb combos till i get the right mix of color and intensity.
although i do like the "shimmer" of halide, i prefer it to be subdued. i dont like the sharp, small, jittery lines repeating in a very static pattern.
i figure, the lower intensity of the halides will reduce the contrast yet still provide the sim shim while giving some extra intensity at the top of the tank.
so, please share your experiences but try and keep the "opinions" to a minimum. ive read too many posts recently with guess work and bias without any hands on experience.
and for those that will say why not 2 150'w or a single 250:
i have a 250w hqi (blue wave 3, reef optix). although i loved the bright light i didnt like the heat, energy consumption (300w) and lack of flexibility (swapping out $100 bulbs till i get the "right" color isnt an option).
as for dual 150's, ive already addressed those concerns, ie heat, flexibility, energy cost, etc. dual 150's would probably be more heat, more contrast, and all around more expensive to run and maintain. thus the "new idea" of tossing in the dual 70's with a bunch of t5's.
the only negative i see, is the fact that the dual 70's will cost the same as dual 250's. but at least id get what i want, which is the aim in the end.
as for why not a single 150 or 250: the tank is an aga 65 which has a center brace. i am going aga for 2 main reasons.
1. cost, i figure the money i save on the tank v an oceanic (which i do like better) can go to the light.
2. most importantly, stand height. i prefer the 28" of the aga stand instead of the 32". and i can get the aga pine stand from a bud for $130 new, which is more saving for light or skimmer. the 28" is key for 2 major reasons.
a. im no basketball player so the lower height allows me to be able to easily work inside the 2' high tank.
b. seated viewing, which is what the tank is aimed at, not like an lfs, is superior on the aga stand. eye level is just about smack center, at least for myself and those who will share the tank with me. itll be a wonder to look up and down and side to side. shold be a nice imersive experience.
hope i addressed those questions before they take us off topic.
so, with this set up, ill get shim shim, high intensity, color flexibility (both of the light and fauna), superb light period control (dual t5 controls as well as either single or dual halide control), and can keep energy/running costs low. the only "problem" is the initial investment of about 850 beanos (and the hassle making a hood).
nonetheless, i think i should be able to keep anything i want, no?
did i miss anything?
nG
i want to have low heat, low energy, very good intensity and high flexibility. i was thinking about going with an 8 bulb or 6 t5 set-up. but i think this will give me the options i want and the best of both worlds while removing most if not all the potential negatives.
here it is, going on a 65g (36x18x24 aga center braced) reef with emphasis on sps and lps.
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
l l
l --- 70w hqi --- --- 70w hqi --- l
l l
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
l -------------------- 39w t5 -------------------- l
i figure i could play around with bulb combos till i get the right mix of color and intensity.
although i do like the "shimmer" of halide, i prefer it to be subdued. i dont like the sharp, small, jittery lines repeating in a very static pattern.
i figure, the lower intensity of the halides will reduce the contrast yet still provide the sim shim while giving some extra intensity at the top of the tank.
so, please share your experiences but try and keep the "opinions" to a minimum. ive read too many posts recently with guess work and bias without any hands on experience.
and for those that will say why not 2 150'w or a single 250:
i have a 250w hqi (blue wave 3, reef optix). although i loved the bright light i didnt like the heat, energy consumption (300w) and lack of flexibility (swapping out $100 bulbs till i get the "right" color isnt an option).
as for dual 150's, ive already addressed those concerns, ie heat, flexibility, energy cost, etc. dual 150's would probably be more heat, more contrast, and all around more expensive to run and maintain. thus the "new idea" of tossing in the dual 70's with a bunch of t5's.
the only negative i see, is the fact that the dual 70's will cost the same as dual 250's. but at least id get what i want, which is the aim in the end.
as for why not a single 150 or 250: the tank is an aga 65 which has a center brace. i am going aga for 2 main reasons.
1. cost, i figure the money i save on the tank v an oceanic (which i do like better) can go to the light.
2. most importantly, stand height. i prefer the 28" of the aga stand instead of the 32". and i can get the aga pine stand from a bud for $130 new, which is more saving for light or skimmer. the 28" is key for 2 major reasons.
a. im no basketball player so the lower height allows me to be able to easily work inside the 2' high tank.
b. seated viewing, which is what the tank is aimed at, not like an lfs, is superior on the aga stand. eye level is just about smack center, at least for myself and those who will share the tank with me. itll be a wonder to look up and down and side to side. shold be a nice imersive experience.
hope i addressed those questions before they take us off topic.
so, with this set up, ill get shim shim, high intensity, color flexibility (both of the light and fauna), superb light period control (dual t5 controls as well as either single or dual halide control), and can keep energy/running costs low. the only "problem" is the initial investment of about 850 beanos (and the hassle making a hood).
nonetheless, i think i should be able to keep anything i want, no?
did i miss anything?
nG
. 
