Lighting Question?

J

Jerremy

Membership Expired
I'm am in the process of purchasing a new light fixture for my 46 gal bowfront. (36" long). I'm wanting to mainly grow softies but also keeping my options open for other corals as well. My question is, what type of lights should I go with? I've been pushed and pulled so many different ways with people saying t5s, halides, or LEDs. Will some please tell me what the best light to go with is. Which one provides faster growing time and is healthy for my corals? Thanks in advance.
 
Haha, welcome to the world of reef keeping. The hottest debate about keeping corals has and may always be, "Which light is the "BEST"?"
The truth is, you can keep all kinds of corals with any of the three types of lights you have mentioned above. There are pro's and con's to each and
everyone is going to have an opinion about what works the best, most cost effective, best par, best colors, best, best, best.......opinion...

The easiest way to get an answer is to say, X= is my tank dimensions, canopy or not. I want to keep primarily softies but maybe a mixed reef, and I can afford to spend X number of $. Does controlability matter to you? Dimming and cool effects or does any of that matter at all. Also, consider cost over the long haul. Right now a good used metal-halide set up can be bought off the for sale forums very reasonably because so many people are switching to LED's. But, you may have heat issues and then there is the cost of bulbs. Not bad on a tank that size, but still something to consider. T5's like metal halides have a great track record, great colors, and if they have individual reflectors they have very good PAR. But you gotta be faithful about changing out bulbs. Lots of pro's and con's on each light.

So, if you will give a little more info about your tank and your goals, I know everyone on the site will help you out quickly. Sorry, I didn't answer your question but with a little more info I would also be glad to help.
 
Agreed. Tell us your info. Some guy was selling a 2x metal halide, 4x T5, custom cree LEDs in a single 36 inch current light fixture a week or two ago. I would see if you could get that from him. I love the metal halides shimmer effect. The issue with metal halide is they raise the temp at least few degrees, and you will need a chilller. Although I would think anyone in Texas would at least want a chiller on stand by, just in case. LEDs are suppose to be cheaper over the long run. But I would suggest just start with metal halides and 4x T5 combo because of initial price up front is much cheaper for the same coral growth. That way you don't have the huge money investment before you really know if you like this Saltwater hobby.

Toughest question I have had thus far, picking the lighting. Researched tons of options 30+ hours.
 
IMO, 4 t5s on that tank will grow whatever you want. There are also some LED units that are going for 179 delivered that would likely do well. I have not used one of these, but they seem to be getting good reviews for their price range.

http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html

David
 
Ok we'll I've actually been in the hobby for quite sometime now. (2 years or so) and I love everything about it but I have never actually had good lighting. I started off with a biocube 29 and the PC lights seemed to do pretty well for my corals. I have recently moved houses, got rid of the biocube and bought a 46 gal bowfront tank. 36"x16"Cx21". I am also running around a 30 gal sump with small fuge and a large reef octopus skimmer (unsure of the exact size). Also along with a carbon reactor. Right now all I have is a dual t5 with a 36" accent blue led strip (for color only). Only coral it seems to be growing right are the Kenya trees and also slightly keeping my accordea mushrooms partially alive lol. I'm also not to experienced on what I need to be dosing or at least what type of KENT chemicals to be adding. Maybe yall can help me out in that direction as well. Anyways back to the lights. I really don't like the look of a hood so halides could possibly be checked off the list unless of corse I could get the 2 halide 4 t5 combo. I would like to have a mixed reef to a point just because like I said before I'm not that experienced when it comes to keeping sps. I guess my price range is going to be anywhere from $0 to $400 maybe. I'm hopeing I can find a good deal on a used light. Adjustment of the color isn't really a big deal I wouldn't say. Obviously yes I'd like to have it but its not a deal breaker for me at all. I guess what im wanting is a tank that everyone else wants lol. something that has a lot of flowy corals that are big and look heathy. Hopefully I answered some questions that are of value lol.
 
David,

I checked out that link you sent me and they seem to be a pretty good deal. My only concern is, i wonder if i could put 2 fixtures over my 36' tank and if not then would only one fixture cause it to look like its a spotlight with a lot of shadowing? Kinda like a par 38 bulb does? I can not stand when a tank has a ton of shadows and you can barely see anything beyond where the light shows if that makes since.
 
The reefbreeders led's are awesome for the price. With your budget of $400 I would recommend spending the additional $49 and get the controllable 32" unit. You get the needed spectrum's, no heat, no shadow's etc. [smilie=smile.gif] http://reefbreeders.com/it2080.html

Cheers,
 
Bimmerzs i think you have pretty much just sold me on that 36' fixture. Ive done told my wife that im getting it as soon as our check comes in lol. That thing is pretty cool and the fact that it has the sunrise/sunset extra is a big plus.
 
I think you are going to be happy with that light. I have been reading a lot about it myself and it continually gets very good reviews. I don't think you could go wrong with this light. In fact it is on my short list of lights to buy for my build.

If you do get the LED or any LED, make sure to dial it down for a while and work up to more light. If you have only been running PC's you will toast your corals when you switch. Start at 30-40% and then up it 5-10% per week and just keep a good eye on your corals.

If you order it then also please review it in this thread so we can see a before and after.
 
Thanks Charles, that's good information to know. I will deff review it after I've had it running for a little while. Thanks for everyone's input. Hopefully I'm making the right choice and maybe my corals will grow enough to harvest from my tank instead if the ocean lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top