Supplemental lights for shimmer

[cubanheat1]

Hello All,

Currently setting up 40g breeder mixed reef. I have 4 x 39w t-5 retro w/ATI bulbs. Canopy is built and is 12 inches from water. I would like to add some type of light in the center for shimmer so current options were:

150w halide retro
Some type of high powered Led strip
Led PAR bulb such as Orphek.

Not sure if anyone has similar setup but I will like a plug n play addition to add shimmer to this t-5 setup. The lights are pretty bright but would need something powerful enough to make the shimmer. Also would like to keep the price to at max $200.00 for this.

Let me know your thoughts in what can work. Thanks

 

[OwenReefin]

exact same setup, and question.

 

[FinnsSPS]

I just switched back to T5s from MH...only thing I miss is the shimmer...going to add the Current TruLumen Pro 12k. I think they are 20% off next month at Marine Depot.

 

[OwenReefin]

Ya I heard a led strip might do it... might go with that if the sale you say is going to happen.

 

[Saltydrip]

LEDs ad tons of shimmer. I was going to swap over to all led but I'm doing half T5/led because it was like a storm light with all my surface flow.

 

[tozzi]

Multi chip leds produce way more shimmer than single 1 2 or 3w leds. The kessil a150 would work great for u. 30w chip, shimmers like crazy. Check it out on youtube. Normal leds shimmer somewhat, but nothin like the multichip kessil, orphek or cannons. Especially cause u have t5, i dont think led strips are gonna work for u, t5 will drown them out. Even the multichips will be drowned out but youll still get some shimmer

 

[Randy15]

reef bright led unit will work for u most likley. i have one mounted to my MH fixture (that i am extremely happy with), and my dad has one on his tek light which mounts easily on either end without drilling. it gives him a nice shimmer, plus it gives u the option of the blue led only that is awsome. the reef brights are as powerful as a t5 so it will let ur corals open with just the leds on. u cand find one for ur tank for about $150

 

[Saltydrip]

I wouldn't worry snot T5s drowning it our. I just hit my tank with a 7x3w 5000K flood light and it shimmered like a strobe light. With my t5s on.

 

[tozzi]

I wouldn't worry snot T5s drowning it our. I just hit my tank with a 7x3w 5000K flood light and it shimmered like a strobe light. With my t5s on.

Do u mean the floods from home depot or such? If so, your getting a better shimmer cause of the reflector. Thats basically mimicking a mulitchip. Normal leds dont have a reflector. Im not saying a reefbrite or stunner strip wont shimmer, but a multichip will shimmer way more , they r made to mimick a mh. A single point light source

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O3eVLGwGLI&feature=player_embedded