Reef lighting for a 56 gallon column tank

[vlangel]

Hi folks, I have always been a T5 gal. My tank is a 56 gallon which is 30" long. It's very difficult to get 30" T5 high output bulb anymore and now my fixture is acting up. I guess I need to make the leap to LEDs. What is a reasonably price LED light fixture for my tank, one that is not too blue also. I am old school, (or maybe just old, ha ha) and I like more white light.

 

[Nanook]

Maybe look at Reefbreeder photon 30”. I’ve got several and they work very well, lots of bang for the buck.

 

[vlangel]

Maybe look at Reefbreeder photon 30”. I’ve got several and they work very well, lots of bang for the buck.

Funny you say that because that is what I have just been looking at and was liking what I saw. Its really encouraging to hear a positive review on it so thank you.

 

[vlangel]

Maybe look at Reefbreeder photon 30”. I’ve got several and they work very well, lots of bang for the buck.

I bought the ReefBreeder Photon V-24+. It is suppose to come today.

 

[JohnL]

I bought the ReefBreeder Photon V-24+. It is suppose to come today.

Congratulations!

 

[Misled]

Cool beans. Let me know how it works for you. Yes, I'm taking the dive again!!!

 

[JohnL]

Yes, I'm taking the dive again!!!

Dive?

 

[vlangel]

Congratulations!

Thanks John!

 

[vlangel]

Cool beans. Let me know how it works for you. Yes, I'm taking the dive again!!!

I will Jesse. It came this evening. The remote is plugged in and I put together the leg braces. It comes with a hanging kit as well which I think will look more professional but I am going to start out with the legs first. I think it will be easier to determine the optimal height (off the water) with the legs as they are easy to change up and down. I can set, stand back, sit on sofa and decide if I like it or not.

I am also pondering cannibalizing my Coralife T5 fixture and trying to make a diy LED/T5 hybrid. I have watched a few YouTube videos and it might not be too hard. I will have to evaluate how the ReefBreeder Photon looks by itself and if its good enough just as is. I have a Coralife T5 quad 24" on the fuge so I need to keep the usable components anyhow for spare parts.

Surprisingly, the remote does not look too difficult from the directions. I just might be able to do this myself without asking for help from a 5 year old!!!:hmm5:

 

[vlangel]

Here is a first pic of the fixture with legs on the tank. It does look a bit spider like but I can definitely picture it hanging very nicely. I still have not attempted programming a custom light schedule,,,that is this afternoon. I think I am really going to appreciate being able to work in the tank easily without moving the hood away. I like having only 1 power cord that is not on a timer too. Then throw in that I don't need to buy new bulbs every year,,,this is a pretty nice upgrade!

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Looks nice. Hanging is easy, the light is not heavy at all.

 

[vlangel]

Thanks Vinny!

 

[vlangel]

Here is full sun daylight. A bit more disco ball effect but I bet a dual T5 HO lamp would flatten the shimmer to just right.

 

[JohnL]

Nice setup. Good looking tank.

 

[vlangel]

Nice setup. Good looking tank.

Thank you for the kind words John. I have had this tank for about 5-6 years now and I really like the size. Enough to have several (or more) fish, deep enough to have a nice aquascape but not so big as to be burdensome. This is the favorite tank I have had.