Lighting Question

[JeffJ]

Hey Guys...on with the struggle...

Just curious about lighting. Currently running the fluorescents that came w/ the tank, but I got some great LR today from a guy w/a small leather attached, some green star polyps, rics, and a few other things attached. Will they survive and thrive under that lighting, or do I need to make an upgrade?

Here is what i have:
58oceanic dimensions: 38W,19D,24H
125 WD w/protein skimmer
90#LR

MH IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE QUESTION DUE TO CANOPY HEIGHT, SO IF YOU THINK I NEED AN UPGRADE, CAN YOU GIVE ME OTHER IDEAS. Is T5 the route I should go?

Also, what do I need to feed the leather, the ric, and the GSP? How often? HOW!?!?

I don't think I"ll ever grow any SPS in this tank, but these softies and a few others would be nice. So, I'm trying to make a long-term lighting decision as well.

Thanks again guys. I really appreciate the insight!

 

[Reefmike]

@reefready wrote:

You could always use MH pendants and mount them on top of the canopy. This is what I did over my 75. Otherwise I would go HO-T5's.

 

[20nascar]

T-5s or vho t12s would be a good choice for an upgrade and are capable of sustaining everything you have currently and probably most anything you would want to keep.

As far as feeding the leather, rics and gsp you don't need to they use the light to create their foor and filter feed from the water column. Keep your water perameters good and they will thrive. Keep in mind the a lot of people don't like gsp because it can grow and begin to cover areas you don't want covered so you may want to keep an eye on it.

 

[gmax]

You said flourescents, do you have NO, HO or VHOs? If its just NO ( normal output ) that could be a problem even with softies as the light will dim over time as well. If its VHOs, you likely could just replace bulbs and be fine for awhile.

Tell us what you know about the bulbs, their use, and the ballasts you use to drive them. Then we can assist you better.

 

[kthomas]

I upgraded to a 36" Current USA orbit that runs 394w, 2 built in fans, and moonlights.

With this setup my softies, lps, and anenome did great.

I recently upgraded to a TEK T5 HO setup so I could grow some SPS.

I'm not sure if I'm going to sell my current USA setup or use it on another tank down the road.

 

[JeffJ]

I'm pretty sure the bulbs are Normal Output. It is the original fixture that came with the Oceanic tank.

Is upgrading to the T5 lighting the best option other than the MH? I think I would prefer a standalone fixture rather than trying to mount in the canopy (I have about 3" of clearance there.

What would you buy along these lines for your own tank?

Also, thanks for the heads-up on the gsp...I'm going to try and isolate that particular rock. Also, forgot to mention there are some zoas on there too. Any thing I need to know there?

Thanks!

 

[Wes]

there is a 36" HO Tek T5 unit for sale in the sale thread that would work perfect for you. they are geat units, and T5's can be good enough for any coral.

 

[JeffJ]

Thanks Wes. Do you think this would create too much heat so close to my glass?

I'm not familiar with these setups. Can you turn the bulbs on in a sequence, or is it just one switch for all of them?

 

[Wes]

heat wouldnt be a problem, and there are 2 plugs, to turn on 3 at a time

 

[kthomas]

@reefready wrote:

Mine sites above my canopy about 4-5" from the water. The TEK T5 unit actually release the hot air out of the top of the unit and the ballasts are on the side of the unit instead of the top of the bulbs which last longer because the heat isn't in direct contact with the ballasts. I also run a small computer fan to disperse the heat from my canopy as well.

Mine turns the two outer bulbs (true actinic) on and then the other switch turns on the middle four.

 

[joelq]

@reefready wrote:

Reefready - I'm in the same boat as you with regards to lights, although I have a 90g tank and 4x65w PC lights. I want to upgrade my lights and like you, I have a canopy that I'd like to fit the lights in. I don't like the retrofit kits because my canopy has a hinged top, which wouldn't allow me to attach any of the lights inside the top of my canopy.

I have been researching the Tek lights quite a bit, and have actually e-mailed the manufacturer with some questions. They told me that the Tek lights don't use fans and are convection cooled and will work under a canopy. They also said that the lights can be as low as 3" above the surface of the water. The lights are wired with two switches, and I assume each switch controls half of the lights.

They are pricey, but supposedly well worth the money, and buying them pre-owned would probably be a great deal. I would have jumped at the ones in the For Sale forum, but I need 48" lights.

 

[kthomas]

@joelq wrote:

I don't recommend putting them under a canopy unless you can have a fan inside the canopy.

I still run a fan in my canopy.

I have a corner tank so I have taken my canopy top off and put the lights on top of the TEK T5 light sites on top of my canopy. It's only 2.5 inches and it is very very slim. You can't even tell that it's there.

Even though the lighting system is convection cooled anything that produces heat will release it. This light does produce heat. Heat has to rise, so it will rise in your canopy and sit there. This will raise your tank temperature and will also lower the life of your lights.

I will take pictures from the top of my tank, but you can see some here: http://www.kyleandtressa.com/aquarium/aquarium.html

I am by no means not saying you can't, I've just used 3 different sets of lights since i've set up my system and I just don't recomment putting them "in" a canopy and closing the top.

This is just my opinion. Ask some other owners on ReefCentral what they do with the same lights.

BTW ... they are worth every penny. You will save the additional cost on electrical and cooling savings in the summer by going with T5 lights.

 

[JeffJ]

Thanks again for the advice guys. Now my question is how many watts do I want. Is a four bulb fixture enough, or do I need 6?

Thanks,

 

[JeffJ]

Thanks again for the advice guys. Now my question is how many watts do I want. Is a four bulb fixture enough, or do I need 6?

Thanks,

 

[lilred1995vette]

HO t5s with SINGLE reflectors are the best imo, they can even exceed the par ouput of MH. I would say 5-8 rows imo for reef tank.

 

[kthomas]

@reefready wrote:

As many as you can fit on your tank. I have 6. Since I have a corner tank that's all that I could fit.

 

[joelq]

@kthomas wrote:

As many as you can fit on your tank. I have 6. Since I have a corner tank that's all that I could fit."]

kthomas - I have a 90g as well and have been eyeing the 6-bulb Tek. I'm confused by all the T5 bulb options. What kind of bulb selection did you choose, and how did you lay them out?

 

[kthomas]

I spoke with GrimReefer over at RC. He is a T5 expert and gave me my layout.

<pre><code>
Geisemann Powerchrome
Front
-Actinic Plus
-Pure Actinic
-Midday 6K
-Actinic Plus
-Aquablue
-Actinic Plus</code></pre>

If you'd like to come over and see me setup this weekend you're more than welcome to. It's nice to see the setup before you dish out the money for them IMO.

PM Me if you're interested.