Upgrading my lights, should i lose the lid?

kinglouie · 10/03/2008, 10:00 AM

Hi

My tank has been up and running for a year now. My tank is about 26 gal, and is 32" long. At the moment ive just got a flurescent bulb on the system which is built into the lid. I think its about time to upgrade.

I have been thinking of getting some t5's, either 2 or 4 bulbs (2blue - 2marine). But i am unsure of what sort of fitting to get, one that i can fit into the lid or get one that sits over the tank on a stand/clips onto the tank.

I would love to get sum MH's but i dont have the space or resources to fit them in a canopy.

Finally what sort of wattage should i aim for, atm it is a FO but i do want to introduce some soft corals now and perhaps LPS over the next few months.

All coments welcome,

thanks louie

sruiz · 10/03/2008, 11:51 AM

get rid of the canopy, go with metal halides buy some with legs or some that hang over. In my opinion you will stay cooler without a canopy.

Prodd · 10/03/2008, 12:36 PM

Go for LED's they cost around the same as halides, but last 5 yrs before they require replacement. they provide loads of light across a better spectrum than the halides and don't require a power station built in your back yard to run them.
They can also be retro fitted to an existing hood, and give off almost no heat. All this reduces the amount of evaporation.
Just make sure you go for a good brand.

Otherwise most tank manufacturers are upgrading there in built lights to t5's, so if you contact your tank mf I'm sure they can provide you with t5's that will fit straight on.

Most people get rid of there lids and get halides that have legs, or hang from the ceiling.

Best wishes with whatever method you choose.

Bonneville08 · 10/03/2008, 12:47 PM

Hi Louie,
Do you have any jumpers in your aquarium? I keep my top open, it helps to keep things cool, but I have an ATO as well. The open top does not attenuate light. You can try egg crate if you have jumpers. I had 130W of PC on 30 gallons, it did very well. I suspect the T5's will put out more light per watt depending on reflectors.

jimgldn · 10/03/2008, 12:54 PM

Yes, dump the top and go with MH lighting.

kinglouie · 10/03/2008, 12:57 PM

Thanks for your input,

as for jumpeps i would imagine the royal grammar would give it ago not too sure bout the clown. A dont think i have any heat issues at the moment but i would imagine this changes when i get some more powerfull lights.

currently i leave the two flaps open on the lid to help with air exchange, would this be enough to keep it if i purchased the lights from manufacturer and fiited them to the hood.

cheers

kinglouie · 10/03/2008, 01:12 PM

was meant to say jumpers not 'jumpeps'

what sort sort of bulb/watts would i be looking for if i were to get MH's - 26gal want to keep SPS and softies

Bonneville08 · 10/03/2008, 07:17 PM

A 150W 14,000 kelvin lamp would be plenty of light, some might argue too much. A 70W 14,000K may be too little. Keep in mind it is typical to have MH lamps about 12" above the water for heat considerations. Have you had a good look at T5's yet? I use and like my MH and PC pendant with 150W MH, but my tank is bigger and probably deeper. I would consider about 5 watts per gallon good with PC for soft and LPS, others can and will argue over that.
Hope this helps

kinglouie · 10/04/2008, 12:57 PM

ive had a good look at t5's but not at MH. if i were to go wiv the MH i would go for the 150W i think - that works ou tbout 6 watts/gal. i am going to have a good look round at prices though, which is why i originally wanted to go with the t5's

10/03/2008, 10:00 AM	#1
kinglouie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 18	Upgrading my lights, should i lose the lid? Hi My tank has been up and running for a year now. My tank is about 26 gal, and is 32" long. At the moment ive just got a flurescent bulb on the system which is built into the lid. I think its about time to upgrade. I have been thinking of getting some t5's, either 2 or 4 bulbs (2blue - 2marine). But i am unsure of what sort of fitting to get, one that i can fit into the lid or get one that sits over the tank on a stand/clips onto the tank. I would love to get sum MH's but i dont have the space or resources to fit them in a canopy. Finally what sort of wattage should i aim for, atm it is a FO but i do want to introduce some soft corals now and perhaps LPS over the next few months. All coments welcome, thanks louie

10/03/2008, 11:51 AM	#2
sruiz Reef'R Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Searching... Posts: 1,381	get rid of the canopy, go with metal halides buy some with legs or some that hang over. In my opinion you will stay cooler without a canopy. __________________ Don't forget your water change.

10/03/2008, 12:47 PM	#4
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	Hi Louie, Do you have any jumpers in your aquarium? I keep my top open, it helps to keep things cool, but I have an ATO as well. The open top does not attenuate light. You can try egg crate if you have jumpers. I had 130W of PC on 30 gallons, it did very well. I suspect the T5's will put out more light per watt depending on reflectors. __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

10/03/2008, 07:17 PM	#8
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	A 150W 14,000 kelvin lamp would be plenty of light, some might argue too much. A 70W 14,000K may be too little. Keep in mind it is typical to have MH lamps about 12" above the water for heat considerations. Have you had a good look at T5's yet? I use and like my MH and PC pendant with 150W MH, but my tank is bigger and probably deeper. I would consider about 5 watts per gallon good with PC for soft and LPS, others can and will argue over that. Hope this helps __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

10/03/2008, 12:36 PM	#3
Prodd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, England Posts: 69	Go for LED's they cost around the same as halides, but last 5 yrs before they require replacement. they provide loads of light across a better spectrum than the halides and don't require a power station built in your back yard to run them. They can also be retro fitted to an existing hood, and give off almost no heat. All this reduces the amount of evaporation. Just make sure you go for a good brand. Otherwise most tank manufacturers are upgrading there in built lights to t5's, so if you contact your tank mf I'm sure they can provide you with t5's that will fit straight on. Most people get rid of there lids and get halides that have legs, or hang from the ceiling. Best wishes with whatever method you choose.

10/03/2008, 12:54 PM	#5
jimgldn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 52	Yes, dump the top and go with MH lighting.

10/03/2008, 12:57 PM	#6
kinglouie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 18	Thanks for your input, as for jumpeps i would imagine the royal grammar would give it ago not too sure bout the clown. A dont think i have any heat issues at the moment but i would imagine this changes when i get some more powerfull lights. currently i leave the two flaps open on the lid to help with air exchange, would this be enough to keep it if i purchased the lights from manufacturer and fiited them to the hood. cheers

10/03/2008, 01:12 PM	#7
kinglouie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 18	was meant to say jumpers not 'jumpeps' what sort sort of bulb/watts would i be looking for if i were to get MH's - 26gal want to keep SPS and softies

10/04/2008, 12:57 PM	#9
kinglouie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 18	ive had a good look at t5's but not at MH. if i were to go wiv the MH i would go for the 150W i think - that works ou tbout 6 watts/gal. i am going to have a good look round at prices though, which is why i originally wanted to go with the t5's