54 Gallon Corner Tank Lighting

[cskollmann]

I would like to get some recommendations about what fixture to use to upgrade the lighting on a 54g corner tank. The tank was a FOWLR when I got it second hand, and I have slowly been upgrading towards a reef tank. The current lighting is a pretty ghetto fixture (hasn't started a fire yet--but I worry) with a couple of 24" power compact fluorescents, which sits directly on the glass. Currently the only corals are softies, but I definitely am going to keep at least LPS corals, and would like if I had the option of adding SPS corals.

I really like what I've read about T5s regarding the lack of heat issues and the ability to really tune the color of the tank, and have been eyeing the Aquactinics 24" TX5. But what kind of light spread would I get, given the tank's odd shape? Would I have dark corners? Would suspending the fixture help, and how high do you think I would have to suspend it? Would a combo MH/T5 fixture work better (but I worry about heat then--I don't have a chiller)?

I'm not confident in my ability to make and retrofit a canopy that would look decent, so I need to find a fixture that works.

Thanks,
Chris

[OliverM3]

I've always loved odd shaped tanks so lighting was always a pain.
Pendants make it so easy. They typically come with a nice, easily adjustable suspension system like this:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=567

You can pretty much find a nice pendant to fit any requirement you have. And just suspend it 8" to 12" over the tank.
Also it reduces heat since you can run an open tank so you can get away will more lighting then you typically could with a glass top or a light that sits directly on the tank.

Depending on how hot you keep your home you should be able to get away with a MH combo without a chiller.
With just some fans for extra cooling.

[1-9-06]

I've got the 54 bowfront. If thats what you are talking about I've used a coralife aqualight pro 250watt M/H with 2 65w pc square pin actinics and everything grows. It's around $300-350. I'm pretty sure they come standard 10K.

[cskollmann]

So I guess I'm hearing that a MH is the way to go. Too bad, I was hoping to save some money by going T5, but if MH gives much better coverage...

Does anybody out there use a T5 pendant over a corner tank?

Thanks for the responses.

[bdelaney]

There are limited options for lighting a corner tank. Pendants are a good way to do it. Another option is the Outer Orbit light from current USA.
http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbit.html

I have one over my 54 corner. I have mine sitting on top of the glass using the little mounting feet that come with it. If you want to run without a glass top, you can hang it from the ceiling using the hanging kit that comes in the box.

Either way, I'd go with the MH if you can. You'll eventually end up there anyway.

[Yak-52]

I also have the 54 corner tank. I use the 24"Outer Orbit Pro with a 250W MH and 2 T-5's. I have it suspended without the glass. It gives good coverage and since the tank is relativly deep it also gives good penatration. This is a great light though it is pricey currently list it for $467.49. I upgraded from the 150W version of the same light about 6 months ago and noticed a huge difference in the growth and color of my sps corals. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...6&pcatid=15486

[cskollmann]

Thanks for the advice. My fixture gave out last night; dead ballast I think. I've ordered a 24" Aqua Medic 250W halide with T5 actinics. I was going to try the TX5, but they are backordered until the end of the month, and I definitely couldn't wait that long.

Cheers,
Chris

[bdelaney]

Good choice. You wont regret going with the halides.