Lighting Options?

[Tbone675]

I have decided to step up my AP24, to a larger reef tank, and I'm starting to narrow my ideas and choices. I'm looking at a 58 or 70 gal oceanic rr. They both are 36.5x18.5 but height is different 21 and 25, that being said I'm leaning towards the 70. It will be a mixed reef. I'll probably make a DIY stand and canopy. Now for my questions.

 

1. I've asked around and 2x250 seems to be the way to go.

 

2. Are double ended hqi bulbs better than single ended?

 

3. Should I retrofit a lighting system into the canopy, or buy a lighting fixture to sit inside the canopy?

 

4. I've been looking around on e-bay and found these fixtures are they any good anyone have any experience with them?

2x250 with pc retro

or

2x250 fixture with pc

also a

2x250 fixture with t-5s

 

If any one had any opinions or ideas

Thanks for the help!

 

T

[HecticDialectics]

I have decided to step up my AP24, to a larger reef tank, and I'm starting to narrow my ideas and choices. I'm looking at a 58 or 70 gal oceanic rr. They both are 36.5x18.5 but height is different 21 and 25, that being said I'm leaning towards the 70. It will be a mixed reef. I'll probably make a DIY stand and canopy. Now for my questions.

 

1. I've asked around and 2x250 seems to be the way to go.

 

2. Are double ended hqi bulbs better than single ended?

 

3. Should I retrofit a lighting system into the canopy, or buy a lighting fixture to sit inside the canopy?

 

4. I've been looking around on e-bay and found these fixtures are they any good anyone have any experience with them?

2x250 with pc retro

or

2x250 fixture with pc

also a

2x250 fixture with t-5s

 

If any one had any opinions or ideas

Thanks for the help!

 

T

 

 

Your buying an OCeanic RR and dumpster diving for overpriced light choices

 

Imo go with either the lumen arcs or lumen brights, specially since you're going to have a canopy anyway. Miles ahead of what you linked, and it'll probably be even cheaper than those chitty fixtures. (www.reefexotics.com)

[Tbone675]

ya i dont know anything about hqi lighting, what are the good brands?

[scrapz]

are you planning to keep SPS?

 

2x250 on a 21"H tank seems to little overkill. if you plan on running it inside a canopy, there will be alot of heat.

 

with a good reflector;lumen max, bright etc etc., you would be able to get away w 1x250w /w t5 supplements. This alternative would be cheaper then buying a fixture.

[HecticDialectics]

ya i dont know anything about hqi lighting, what are the good brands?

 

Just scroll through a crapload of posts on RC with bulb pictures and just choose whichever colors you like the best imo. I don't think you're gonna have to be worried with 10-15% PAR increase/decreases with 2x250W on a 36x18 tank

[scrapz]

ya i dont know anything about hqi lighting, what are the good brands?

 

alot of people seemed to be liking the phoenix 14k + icecap ballast.

 

reflector: $80-$150

allast: $80-130

bulbs: $50-80

 

There usually a bunch on sale over at RC.

[Tbone675]

some sps, this will be my first try at sps. how bout 2 150s? par=parabolic aluminized reflector?

[Tbone675]

will the luminarc come with glass for the reflector or will i have to but uv tempered glass to put under the whole canopy?

[kgehrke]

Par is a measure of how intense the light is. Read this article comparing to par meters. It might help.

 

Par meters

 

If you use a single ended bulb you don't need glass, they have built in UV protection.

[scrapz]

some sps, this will be my first try at sps. how bout 2 150s? par=parabolic aluminized reflector?

 

 

PAR = Photosynthetically Active Radiation

 

depending on the bulb you choose, SE/mogul require no glass. DE bulbs require a glass shield

[Tbone675]

if water was to splash up on a mogul bulb would it shatter? if the canopy was not in closed in class wouldn't the moisture corrode the lighting connections?

 

 

par lol-parabolic aluminized reflector-i sound like a a$$.

[scrapz]

if water was to splash up on a mogul bulb would it shatter? if the canopy was not in closed in class wouldn't the moisture corrode the lighting connections?

 

 

par lol-parabolic aluminized reflector-i sound like a a$$.

 

they sell waterproof connections, or just keep up with the salt creep. with a good reflector you would be able to keep it 6-14" above the water depending on what your keeping.

 

anyways imma head to my LFS then watch the laker playoff game! GO LAKERS!