Help selecting a light and fixture..

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 01:06 PM

I have a 72 gallon bowfront (allglass) that I would like to purchase some power compacts for.

At the moment I have a single 250 metal halide (along with 2x 55watt attincts) which uses too much electricity and creates too much heat. It also does not illuminate the entire tank because the 72 gallon has a strip running right down the middle for support purposes.

I think what I need is a set of power compacts that will hang down from the ceiling (I have all the lines and hooks that go on the ceiling) and covers both ends of the tank.. (I want to leave the top open for obvious reasons).

I would also need the ballast.

I wanted your reccomendations before going forward.

Thank you.

huntinweim · 06/13/2008, 01:25 PM

A few yrs ago when I was more involved in the hobby I thought the Aqualights were pretty decent units. They come in all types of arrangements.

They used to be able to be suspended but not sure about now.

Toddrtrex · 06/13/2008, 01:27 PM

What ( if any ) corals do you have in the tank, or what do you plan on having in it?

corbett_n · 06/13/2008, 01:28 PM

Go t5

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
What ( if any ) corals do you have in the tank, or what do you plan on having in it?

I moved about a year ago and lost many of my corals because of traffic.

Right now I have a few lps corals but I want to get into SPS, and leathers.. Ive had my fill of the softies..

ATM I also have some blue muchrooms, green mushrooms and purple mushrooms (are these bad for the tank?)

I also have a purple clam... and 4 fish .

Powder blue tang, a hippo tang , a coral beauty and a maroon clown.. They all get along and I have had the newest one at least 1 year, the oldest about 4 years old.

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by corbett_n
Go t5

What is t5?

Toddrtrex · 06/13/2008, 01:41 PM

If you are planning on getting into SPS, I wouldn't bother with PCs. Just not going to be strong enough for them.

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
If you are planning on getting into SPS, I wouldn't bother with PCs. Just not going to be strong enough for them.

I see pc's used on sps alot. I think there was a tank of the month here that used pc's with lots of sps even.

Actualy I maybe thinking of the tek light t5 ho's...... Hmmmm...

Toddrtrex · 06/13/2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CyanoMagnet
I see pc's used on sps alot. I think there was a tank of the month here that used pc's with lots of sps even.

The only time PC's are used with SPS is as supplemental lighting. There might be a few exceptions, but overall they aren't going to work.

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 01:48 PM

Allright, thanks for the headsup.. How about the t5 fluorescents?

Toddrtrex · 06/13/2008, 01:50 PM

I personally haven't used T5s ( except for supplemental ) but, they would work quite well. Though the key is to make sure the fixture you get has individual reflectors for the bulbs, otherwise you are getting all of their potential.

dcombs44 · 06/13/2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CyanoMagnet
Right now I have a few lps corals but I want to get into SPS, and leathers.. Ive had my fill of the softies..

I'm afraid leathers are "softies". Correct me if I'm wrong. Just an FYI.

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 06:16 PM

Last question. Putting in my order now...

What kind of bulbs should I get? I have to get 4 bulbs total (46.5 inch bulbs).

They close soon so any quick answer would be appreciated.

Should I waste a spot for attintics? Or just get 4x 10ks? Or what ever else?

CyanoMagnet · 06/13/2008, 06:16 PM

Last question. Putting in my order now...

What kind of bulbs should I get? I have to get 4 bulbs total (46.5 inch bulbs).

They close soon so any quick answer would be appreciated.

Should I waste a spot for attintics? Or just get 4x 10ks? Or what ever else?

06/13/2008, 01:06 PM	#1
CyanoMagnet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn ,NY Posts: 1,272	Help selecting a light and fixture.. I have a 72 gallon bowfront (allglass) that I would like to purchase some power compacts for. At the moment I have a single 250 metal halide (along with 2x 55watt attincts) which uses too much electricity and creates too much heat. It also does not illuminate the entire tank because the 72 gallon has a strip running right down the middle for support purposes. I think what I need is a set of power compacts that will hang down from the ceiling (I have all the lines and hooks that go on the ceiling) and covers both ends of the tank.. (I want to leave the top open for obvious reasons). I would also need the ballast. I wanted your reccomendations before going forward. Thank you. __________________ Salifert - - - - - - Phosphates ud, ud Nitrates .0xxxppm, Alk 9dkh Calcium 445ppm mag 1380 PH 7.7-8.0 Salinity, 1.026 11/27/2008 Current Tank Info: 72 g bf,15g sump->16g qt,10g refugium w/ DSB and cheato (lots), T5 lighting 6x54watt (2x10k,2xab,blue act,super act),korallin 1501 ca reactor,sulfur denitrator(korallin),bullet 1 skimmer,phosban reactor(running carbon atm),2xtunze1500gph,3xkoralin

06/13/2008, 01:27 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	What ( if any ) corals do you have in the tank, or what do you plan on having in it? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/13/2008, 01:41 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	If you are planning on getting into SPS, I wouldn't bother with PCs. Just not going to be strong enough for them. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/13/2008, 01:48 PM	#10
CyanoMagnet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn ,NY Posts: 1,272	Allright, thanks for the headsup.. How about the t5 fluorescents? __________________ Salifert - - - - - - Phosphates ud, ud Nitrates .0xxxppm, Alk 9dkh Calcium 445ppm mag 1380 PH 7.7-8.0 Salinity, 1.026 11/27/2008 Current Tank Info: 72 g bf,15g sump->16g qt,10g refugium w/ DSB and cheato (lots), T5 lighting 6x54watt (2x10k,2xab,blue act,super act),korallin 1501 ca reactor,sulfur denitrator(korallin),bullet 1 skimmer,phosban reactor(running carbon atm),2xtunze1500gph,3xkoralin

06/13/2008, 01:50 PM	#11
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I personally haven't used T5s ( except for supplemental ) but, they would work quite well. Though the key is to make sure the fixture you get has individual reflectors for the bulbs, otherwise you are getting all of their potential. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/13/2008, 01:25 PM	#2
huntinweim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 74	A few yrs ago when I was more involved in the hobby I thought the Aqualights were pretty decent units. They come in all types of arrangements. They used to be able to be suspended but not sure about now.

06/13/2008, 01:28 PM	#4
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	Go t5

06/13/2008, 06:16 PM	#13
CyanoMagnet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn ,NY Posts: 1,272	Last question. Putting in my order now... What kind of bulbs should I get? I have to get 4 bulbs total (46.5 inch bulbs). They close soon so any quick answer would be appreciated. Should I waste a spot for attintics? Or just get 4x 10ks? Or what ever else? __________________ Salifert - - - - - - Phosphates ud, ud Nitrates .0xxxppm, Alk 9dkh Calcium 445ppm mag 1380 PH 7.7-8.0 Salinity, 1.026 11/27/2008 Current Tank Info: 72 g bf,15g sump->16g qt,10g refugium w/ DSB and cheato (lots), T5 lighting 6x54watt (2x10k,2xab,blue act,super act),korallin 1501 ca reactor,sulfur denitrator(korallin),bullet 1 skimmer,phosban reactor(running carbon atm),2xtunze1500gph,3xkoralin