lighting recommendations

[MarcoG]

I still consider myself fairly new to the hobby (1 year experience). I have a 110 DAS tank I bought used from a LFS. I have 2 Coralife Compact Fluorescent fixtures on it. I have one 48" dual linear strip (http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/ ... -strip.php) and one 48" Single Linear strip (http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/ ... -strip.php). Total wattage is 390. I have equal actinic v. daylight bulbs.

I don't have any SPS, but would like to start adding some in the near future. From what I've seen and read CFs arent' the best for these corals.

Should I add lighting to what I have? or should I get rid of the CFs and go with a whole new setup? Should I get rid of some of the CFs and add T5s or MHs? With all the different options I'm a little overwhelmed just browsing on the internet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DaveJ]

I would do away with the CF's completely and either do a straight T-5 setup or a combo MH/T-5 combo. The price will determine the options, manufactures etc, so get an idea of what your budget would be like. Also, if you are going to do SPS with that kind of lighting, you will need to take heat into consideration and if you will end up needing a chiller or not. Determining a solution will also depend on if you plan on a canopy install, fixture that sits on top of the tank or some sort of light rack.

Start with your budget and we can go from there.

 

[MarcoG]

I'm not exactly sure what my budget will be when I'm ready to get a new setup. I'm hoping it won't be more than $500.

I don't plan on installing a canopy. Right now I have my lights on mounting legs and I like they way they look. I'd rather keep that look or install some sort of hanging fixture.

What wattage am I looking at for a tank of this size?

 

[200mfromocean]

It will porbably run you: $600 for a two bulb MH pendant system with a cheap hanging system. I think the cost is about the same for a custom T5 only customsetup. A t5/MH custom combo will probably provide the best lighting. You may be able to find a good used setup on the DFMAS or reefcentral forum for less than $500. The T5's are more effiecent per watt and than MH but won't get as much as of a deep punch to the bottom of the tank. You can still keep some SPS with your PC's. I would get rid of the unit when the it comes time for the PC bulb change.

 

[DaveJ]

@unttrmptplyr wrote:

What are the dimensions of the tank? I assume its 48" long, but the height will determine the wattage. I'd say if the tank isn't more than 24" deep that a fixture with 2 175W MH and a couple of T-5 lights would be more than enough. You could also do 6x54W T-5 fixture.

The MH combo would be more expensive, but the 6x54W T-5 would run around $480 at reef geek.com They have the TEK lighting fixtures for that price including bulbs that you choose. You can get the leg kit for $60 bucks or so.

I would recommend the TEK, I have one and like it a lot and you can keep anything you want under the fixture.

 

[MarcoG]

The glass is 28" tall (water depth is 24") and the lights (on mounting legs) sit at about 31" from the bottom. The tank is about 51" long measuring the outside of the glass (including the thickness of the glass).

 

[DaveJ]

@unttrmptplyr wrote:

Hmmm.. how are you putting a 48" fixture on there now then? Can you post a photo? 48 is a standard length for fixtures, you won't be able to find one 51" long.

 

[MarcoG]

The mounting legs are angled in a bit. The fixtures actually sit pretty well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ocQagX8hOqV1aXo8JpL-8A?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xy4YtFDwrs_gHnuOM4JyIA?feat=directlink

 

[DaveJ]

Okay... well the legs on the TEK may work, since they do have some play side to side.. but I won't promise that Looking at mine they have about an inch or so. The problem with most of the fixtures will be the legs so you will need to insure one you get has some wiggle room. Hanging on the other hand, which you can do with the TEK easily, won't be a problem at all.

 

[MarcoG]

I'll probably end up hanging the fixture. I think it'll clean up the look a bit. Thanks for all your great advice! I'm just not sure what bulbs to go with. There are so many options.

 

[DaveJ]

@unttrmptplyr wrote:

Yep... If you decide to buy from ReefGeek, which I would recommend since they have great customer service, Greg will be able to help you with bulb selection. For T-5 it comes down to PAR and Coloration. Depending on the coloration you want, he will be able to help you select bulbs that will provide that along with the proper PAR needed.

 

[MarcoG]

Thank kind of brings up another problem.... I'm not 100% sure what coloration I want....

 

[DaveJ]

@unttrmptplyr wrote:

I'd recommend a day trip to the various LFS's around so you can see as many different setups as possible. Take a notebook and ask about the lighting they are using on the various tanks, what combination of wattage and bulb types etc. Pay close attention to the tanks that are setup with the coral combination you are looking to keep. Once you get that info, then you can decide which direction to go.

 

[MarcoG]

Thanks to everyone that put in their input! I just bought (about a week ago) a 8x54 watt Nova Extreme T5 setup from the Sell board. They don't have individual reflectors, but I'm sure the extra two bulbs will compensate for that. My tank looks AWESOME! I think I'm going to get some ATI Blue plus bulbs to add some more blue in there. I picked up a pink birdsnest frag from the Sell board as well and had some success mounting it to a piece of rock. I wanted to start out "easy" and I heard a birdsnest is a good SPS to start out with.

THANKS AGAIN!