Please Shed Some Light on This...

[swamp]

I've got an established 100 gallon, tall tank... fish, live rock, and coral. Several months ago, my metal halide light blew, I replaced the bulb... needed to replace a part on ballast, and the light doesn't work. So, I've been borrowing a set of lights that is proving inadequate... leading to lost corals and lots of algae growth.

All this while I've been waiting for an LED option to appear in my dreams at a price I can afford. I can't wait any longer, don't care any more what it costs, but need to know what makes sense... T-5s, MH, or LED?!!!

A complicating factor is that the tank has an acrylic canopy that hinges up at the back, and has internal dimensions of 34.5" wide x 5.5" high, so there is limited space, and the lights are very close to the water surface.

I won't be able to check back for responses or questions for a couple of days, but anxiously await hearing your recommendations.

Thank you.

 

[swamp]

Nothing?!

Nothing?!

I thought I'd at least get some advice... but nothing, not even bad advice all weekend? What's a guy got to do?!
Thanks for any direction you can give--- 'cause I'm thinking about suspending a bunch of flashlights at this point!

 

[tlo25]

If you are worried about heat LEDs may be better since you have to mount the lights so close to the water.

 

[dlterry85]

leds are the latest and greatest, but imo, i would go t5- i love them. is getting rid of the canopy an option? maybe raising it up? even with leds, that close to the water i think you will run into trouble in the long run.

 

[swamp]

The heat hasn't been a problem with the MH... it has been able to dissipate through ventilation space at the back of the canopy. It may have been the hot lamp getting splashed that caused it to burst, though.

LEDs are attractive to me, but almost every LFS has warned me against them because "they are too new, won't get enough light to the bottom of the tank for coral growth, and they won't last." Not sure if that is true, or if the LFS guys are too inexperienced.

Recently, someone recommended T-5s, but the tank is 30" deep, and I have heard concerns about T-5s penetrating >24".

Mostly, I'm tired, and just want to relax and look at my fishies without worrying about the lights for a change!

 

[tlo25]

I have been researching for a while now weather my new system will have LEDs or MH/T5. I think LEDs will work as well as MH IF you get enough coverage. Getting enough coverage is the issue though as it will cost a pretty penny to get enough LEDs. You said you didn't care how much it costs so if you want to spend the cash LEDs are a good option IMO. However, I am leaning towards MH/T5 after pricing a lot of options. Plus heat and energy bills aren't really a concern of mine at the moment and MH lighting is tried and true.

 

[reefmanmatt]

i say stick with a combo t-5 and mh fixture . you can suspend it with hooks if its too close , theyre covered and nice to look at . otherwise skip the t-5 all together and get some mh pendents ... also a nice looking and effective way to light your tank in my opinion . best of luck !

 

[ANGRY JOHN]

t-5 is awsome and MH is how i reef. A combo of t-5 and led would be prety unbeatable. The t-5 in a 10-12k to give broad coverage and the led's to rock the blue. There are a lot of cool options, but with the hood MH might not be a good choice for ya.

 

[Hagisan]

Maybe do some research on a DIY LED unit. Very easy to customize to your needs and not "as expensive" as production units.

 

[swamp]

Since I'm not very handy, does anybody know of someone in or near Minnesota that does custom lighting? I'd really like to fit this into the canopy. The tank is a cool shaped acrylic with a matching hood and base, and having it look nice makes it easier on my marriage!

 

[firebirdude]

no advice for those that use puns in their titles:wildone:

 

[swamp]

Firebirdude---
Holy mackerel and save my sole; I guess we're going to have to wade and sea if anyone else comes to my rescue.

 

[wildman926]

LEDs are attractive to me, but almost every LFS has warned me against them because "they are too new, won't get enough light to the bottom of the tank for coral growth, and they won't last." Not sure if that is true, or if the LFS guys are too inexperienced.

Recently, someone recommended T-5s, but the tank is 30" deep, and I have heard concerns about T-5s penetrating >24".

You will have to pay dearly to get leds to penetrate that deep.

Here is a pic of my 110 xhigh that I have just set up. It has ONE Current Nova Extreme T5 HO 2x54 with Hagen Power and Marine Glo's, and ONE Standard T5 Coralife with their bulbs. Penetrates just fine, and have another Nova Extreme T5 HO on the way -

 

[josephv]

Build your own led display. ITS EASY


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1950575

 

[swamp]

Wildman... nice setup!

JosephV... saw the thread from the Florida guys who built their own. They've got skill; I have none!

Tanks for the input... (one last pun!).

 

[swamp]

JosephV has given some good advice on a build-your-own LED... but I'm still floundering (yeah, another pun).

Wildman's setup is beautiful, but not established to demonstrate that it will work getting the T5 down deep for coral growth.

So... still considering options, and getting crabby.

 

[ccolt1]

I have two 250w Mh and 4 t5 for actinic in my hood for a 60g.... I have two retro mh in my hood and the t5's are in a fixture that you would buy with legs that sits on the tank and my hood fits around it. Very simple and effective way to light my tank.