30reef Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Hey everyone, So Im re setting up my 56 Gallon reef. The demensions are about 30L x 18W x 24H. So since the tanks height is pretty deep, I guess you could subtract around 12 inches from the height because of the aquascape. But I was wondering what suggestions would you guys give. I'll be keeping SPS mainly with some Zoas and a few other softies. So my main priority is getting a light that will penatrate the water far enough to get lights to my corals. Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 What kind of light are you looking? LED/T5/MH or a combination of any? Budget? Any info that you have so far? Link to comment
30reef Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 What kind of light are you looking? LED/T5/MH or a combination of any? Budget? Any info that you have so far? I'd like to have either LED or T5, but I don't want to be spending a ton of money so I'd like something some what budget friendly. Like I stated before I'm going to be growing SPS mainly, and the tank Demensions are 30L x 18W x 24H. Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I'd like to have either LED or T5, but I don't want to be spending a ton of money so I'd like something some what budget friendly. Like I stated before I'm going to be growing SPS mainly, and the tank Demensions are 30L x 18W x 24H. An SPS dominant tank and budget friendly usually don't go together If you're looking at pure budget, you'll probably want to look for a used T5 fixture or grab a couple of Chinese LED panels and just use them on/off. Link to comment
30reef Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 An SPS dominant tank and budget friendly usually don't go together If you're looking at pure budget, you'll probably want to look for a used T5 fixture or grab a couple of Chinese LED panels and just use them on/off. I am planning on get a ATI sunpower T5 with 2 of those LEDS that clip on too the side of them! Would this work ok? Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I am planning on get a ATI sunpower T5 with 2 of those LEDS that clip on too the side of them! Would this work ok? I mean, yeah, that will absolutely work, but that's not what I was categorizing as budget lol, you're spending $800-900 for that depending on how many T5 you're after, which I would recommend 6x. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Ya, reef lighting and budget just doesn't go hand in hand. The only issue with t5's is bulb replacement costs every 6-10 months. Link to comment
Saltydude Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 And bulb replacement can be expensive... I've researched budget lighting lighting for months and I conclude DIY LEDs are the chepest way to go Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 And bulb replacement can be expensive... I've researched budget lighting lighting for months and I conclude DIY LEDs are the chepest way to go Absolutely no longer the truth. Half a decade ago, absolutely, but with Chinese LED panels on the market for $60-80 apiece and actually using decent LEDs, there is no contest. Link to comment
Saltydude Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Absolutely no longer the truth. Half a decade ago, absolutely, but with Chinese LED panels on the market for $60-80 apiece and actually using decent LEDs, there is no contest.Masterben what led pannels r u Talking about?Could you post us a link Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 MarsAqua panels by Mars Hydro. Sell them on eBay out of California. Link to comment
Ebn Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Those Chinese blackboxes work well. I know a couple of reefers running them. One of them uses a few over his 400G tank and the other is using them to prop high end anemones. Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Those Chinese blackboxes work well. I know a couple of reefers running them. One of them uses a few over his 400G tank and the other is using them to prop high end anemones. I used to do a lot of lighting design for large scale aquaculture facilities, and while some of them were into DIYing all of it, eventually it got to the point where they just wanted to know what kind and how many to buy. Link to comment
Saltydude Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 MarsAqua panels by Mars Hydro. Sell them on eBay out of California. Oh right Those should be pretty good for larger reefs I'm not sure if they can support sps though I looked into those for my 15g but it looks awkward caus the fixture is almost the same/ bigger than the my tank Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Oh right Those should be pretty good for larger reefs I'm not sure if they can support sps though I looked into those for my 15g but it looks awkward caus the fixture is almost the same/ bigger than the my tank Why couldn't they support SPS? Link to comment
Ebn Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Good question. Here's a couple of pics from the 400G that uses a number of those fixtures. Link to comment
Saltydude Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Caus they were 1w Leds but they have upgraded now and I don't have any experience with sps anyway what about sps turns you u guys onn? to me they kind of look like fuzzy sticks and I much prefer lps Ebn That tanks looks real nice Link to comment
Clown79 Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 There are a lot of ppl who use mars aqua boxes with sps and if ppl are using them for anemones, they will work on sps. Link to comment
mystersyster Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Caus they were 1w Leds but they have upgraded now and I don't have any experience with sps anyway what about sps turns you u guys onn? to me they kind of look like fuzzy sticks and I much prefer lps Ebn That tanks looks real nice Fuzzy sticks turn me on. What's it to ya? Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Caus they were 1w Leds but they have upgraded now and I don't have any experience with sps But the MarsAqua fixtures have never used 1w chips, they are a relatively late comer to the aquarium LED game. Link to comment
Saltydude Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 But the MarsAqua fixtures have never used 1w chips, they are a relatively late comer to the aquarium LED game. I donno I'm confused.? Link to comment
evan127 Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 My 120 gallon is 25.5" and my aquascape is very low. I run an ATI 6 bulb fixture and it works great for my SPS reef. A buddy of mine has the same depth and same light and his corals need trimming very frequently. If you don't want T5s for the bulb replacements, Gen 1 and 2 Radions are fairly cheap these days. SPS can absolutely thrive under those lights. 30" isn't too wide for the spread of a single fixture in my opinion. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.