76 Gal Hlaf Circle Reef Set-up

Reefing Runners · 03/17/2008, 08:48 AM

Hello all,
This is my first post on reef central... I need some input on lighting! I am in the process of setting up a 76 gallon half circle reef tank, with the tanks odd shape and dimension lighting it leaves me few options. What would you suggest for lighting? The basic tank dimension and so on can be viewed at http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/half-circle.php

HookedOnReefing · 03/17/2008, 09:27 AM

Hey, welcome to RC. I'm sure somebody else will chime in here with the "official RC welcome"

I've got a few questions for you:

1. Did you get the canopy with it and if so, what is the height of it?

2. What type of animals do you plan on keeping now and in the future?

Reefing Runners · 03/17/2008, 10:03 AM

Heya,
I did purchase the canopy as well, it's height is 9.5 inches. As far as livestock goes, for corals im leaning mostly towards LSP, leathers etc... might decide to toss in a SPS or clam down the road but not sure yet. Fish, main stream fish really. Nothing super special in mind.

Reefing Runners · 03/18/2008, 08:16 AM

Wow, no suggestions? I'm surprised.....

bdare · 03/18/2008, 09:04 AM

To Reef Central

mcliffy2 · 03/18/2008, 09:06 AM

I also have a half circle that is a 125, 48x24x30, so similar dimensions. I struggled with lighting it but eventually went with 1 400w MH retro and a 4x36w T5 behind that. A little unconventional, but with the space I had it was the best I could come up with. Here is the design and pics of the setup:

when first set up:

now:

Gregsgsr · 03/18/2008, 09:10 AM

Setup t5 4 of them the 46inch ones. I think they are 54watts. This will enable you to have leathers and even some sps higher up in tank... If you go to diyreef.com you can get the icecap retrofit kit. This is the best kit it has and icecap vho ballast that boost those light to the next level. Which in turn will give you more options in what you want... T5 will be best for the small amount of space you have!!!!

Reefing Runners · 03/18/2008, 09:28 AM

Thank you for input guys, this si what i was thinking of doing... tell me what you think... Current Usa Outer Orbit 36'' 2x150 watt hqi.. 4x 39 watt t5HO actinic.. this light system also has 18 lunar lights and can be viewed at http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html To me this seems like the way to go, my biggest issue is just the space allowed with the canopy on.

Reefing Runners · 03/18/2008, 09:29 AM

Mcliffy, Love the tank btw. ill be posting pics of the progress on my tank periodically!

mcliffy2 · 03/19/2008, 12:56 AM

Make sure and take measurements, Im not sure a 36 outer orbit and a 4x39w T5 will fit. Also, I would be concerned putting the fixture in the canopy as I think youll want the MHs as far away from the surface as you can get them to avoid some serious heat issues - this might not be feasible if you go with a fixture. I'd seriously think about one 250w MH over the middle with some T5 supplementing in the back. This is the one thing where everyone said I was nuts for doing 1 MH on a 4 ft tank, but Ive had good results. You can check out some picks of my corals here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mcliffy2/Aquarium

HookedOnReefing · 03/19/2008, 08:42 AM

Reefing Runners,

Why not get a retro kit that you build into the canopy? You don't realy need a fixture as you will never see it with the canopy. It will also save you some bucks and some room to add more lighting...

Reefing Runners · 03/19/2008, 09:41 AM

Mcliffy,
Can u post some actual pics of ur retro fits? Im thinking your idea is the one im def going to go with.

03/17/2008, 08:48 AM	#1
Reefing Runners Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 79	76 Gal Hlaf Circle Reef Set-up Hello all, This is my first post on reef central... I need some input on lighting! I am in the process of setting up a 76 gallon half circle reef tank, with the tanks odd shape and dimension lighting it leaves me few options. What would you suggest for lighting? The basic tank dimension and so on can be viewed at http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/half-circle.php

03/18/2008, 09:04 AM	#5
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	*To Reef Central* __________________ 220 Mixed Reef GeoCaRx, GHL Profilux 4, Octopus Skimmer, Kessil 360X 2 x Maxspect Gyre XF350

03/18/2008, 09:06 AM	#6
mcliffy2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Downtown Chicago Posts: 4,093	I also have a half circle that is a 125, 48x24x30, so similar dimensions. I struggled with lighting it but eventually went with 1 400w MH retro and a 4x36w T5 behind that. A little unconventional, but with the space I had it was the best I could come up with. Here is the design and pics of the setup: when first set up: now: __________________ 238g 60x36x26, 100g sump/fuge, 30g frag, 23g skimmer sump, 4 Vortechs, ATB L, Sfiligoi 12x54w T5 Bulb Combo: Super actinic, 6 Blue Plus/AS 22k, Fiji Purple, 2 Aquablue special, 2 Aquascience Duo

03/19/2008, 12:56 AM	#10
mcliffy2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Downtown Chicago Posts: 4,093	Make sure and take measurements, Im not sure a 36 outer orbit and a 4x39w T5 will fit. Also, I would be concerned putting the fixture in the canopy as I think youll want the MHs as far away from the surface as you can get them to avoid some serious heat issues - this might not be feasible if you go with a fixture. I'd seriously think about one 250w MH over the middle with some T5 supplementing in the back. This is the one thing where everyone said I was nuts for doing 1 MH on a 4 ft tank, but Ive had good results. You can check out some picks of my corals here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mcliffy2/Aquarium __________________ 238g 60x36x26, 100g sump/fuge, 30g frag, 23g skimmer sump, 4 Vortechs, ATB L, Sfiligoi 12x54w T5 Bulb Combo: Super actinic, 6 Blue Plus/AS 22k, Fiji Purple, 2 Aquablue special, 2 Aquascience Duo

03/17/2008, 09:27 AM	#2
HookedOnReefing Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West York, Illinois Posts: 315	Hey, welcome to RC. I'm sure somebody else will chime in here with the "official RC welcome" I've got a few questions for you: 1. Did you get the canopy with it and if so, what is the height of it? 2. What type of animals do you plan on keeping now and in the future?

03/17/2008, 10:03 AM	#3
Reefing Runners Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 79	Heya, I did purchase the canopy as well, it's height is 9.5 inches. As far as livestock goes, for corals im leaning mostly towards LSP, leathers etc... might decide to toss in a SPS or clam down the road but not sure yet. Fish, main stream fish really. Nothing super special in mind.

03/18/2008, 08:16 AM	#4
Reefing Runners Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 79	Wow, no suggestions? I'm surprised.....

03/18/2008, 09:10 AM	#7
Gregsgsr Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 244	Setup t5 4 of them the 46inch ones. I think they are 54watts. This will enable you to have leathers and even some sps higher up in tank... If you go to diyreef.com you can get the icecap retrofit kit. This is the best kit it has and icecap vho ballast that boost those light to the next level. Which in turn will give you more options in what you want... T5 will be best for the small amount of space you have!!!!

03/18/2008, 09:28 AM	#8
Reefing Runners Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 79	Thank you for input guys, this si what i was thinking of doing... tell me what you think... Current Usa Outer Orbit 36'' 2x150 watt hqi.. 4x 39 watt t5HO actinic.. this light system also has 18 lunar lights and can be viewed at http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html To me this seems like the way to go, my biggest issue is just the space allowed with the canopy on.

03/18/2008, 09:29 AM	#9
Reefing Runners Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 79	Mcliffy, Love the tank btw. ill be posting pics of the progress on my tank periodically!

03/19/2008, 08:42 AM	#11
HookedOnReefing Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West York, Illinois Posts: 315	Reefing Runners, Why not get a retro kit that you build into the canopy? You don't realy need a fixture as you will never see it with the canopy. It will also save you some bucks and some room to add more lighting...

03/19/2008, 09:41 AM	#12
Reefing Runners Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 79	Mcliffy, Can u post some actual pics of ur retro fits? Im thinking your idea is the one im def going to go with.