Lighting head scratcher?

Carty · 07/10/2008, 01:40 AM

OK, so Im in the process of setting up a 54 gallon reef tank. I have almost everything I need to get started but I need help on how to set up my lighting system...

I want to do a 24 hour system with dawn and dusk plus the main 6 or 8 hours of intense daylight. My tank, however, makes this difficult because of the shape.

I have a 54 gallon Aqueon Corner tank
39 wide
23 tall
28 deep

Its the tank that looks like a 1/4 circle

How do I light this? I originally wanted to do a MH pendant but I know those put off a lot of heat and I dont want the room to heat up. Plus, with a MH pendant, attaching actinics or anything else for morning and evening would be pretty difficult.

Is there another solution?

ZURCSREEF · 07/10/2008, 01:46 AM

Metal Halide would be best choice. And as far as attaching actinics, you can always used some 24" T-5's.

HTH,
-Mike C.

nativecracker32 · 07/10/2008, 05:19 AM

I'd have to agree with ZURCSREF the best solution would be m.h. with t-5's. I'd look into some of the higher end reflectors for you m.h. so you can reach as much of the corners as you can.

Carty · 07/10/2008, 10:19 AM

But if I do metal halides, would the 24" T5's not get in the way of the light?

07/10/2008, 01:40 AM	#1
Carty Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 23	Lighting head scratcher? OK, so Im in the process of setting up a 54 gallon reef tank. I have almost everything I need to get started but I need help on how to set up my lighting system... I want to do a 24 hour system with dawn and dusk plus the main 6 or 8 hours of intense daylight. My tank, however, makes this difficult because of the shape. I have a 54 gallon Aqueon Corner tank 39 wide 23 tall 28 deep Its the tank that looks like a 1/4 circle How do I light this? I originally wanted to do a MH pendant but I know those put off a lot of heat and I dont want the room to heat up. Plus, with a MH pendant, attaching actinics or anything else for morning and evening would be pretty difficult. Is there another solution?

07/10/2008, 05:19 AM	#3
nativecracker32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: north fort myers Posts: 80	I'd have to agree with ZURCSREF the best solution would be m.h. with t-5's. I'd look into some of the higher end reflectors for you m.h. so you can reach as much of the corners as you can. __________________ reefin ant easy! Current Tank Info: 265 reef tank

07/10/2008, 01:46 AM	#2
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	Metal Halide would be best choice. And as far as attaching actinics, you can always used some 24" T-5's. HTH, -Mike C.

07/10/2008, 10:19 AM	#4
Carty Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 23	But if I do metal halides, would the 24" T5's not get in the way of the light?