Please help me choose lighting for my new aquarium

lorawalters13 · 01/24/2010, 09:32 PM

I am purchasing a 24" rimless cube. It will house mostly lps, zoas and a couple clams. I am having a difficult time settling on what lighting I will need.

I would prefer a hanging T5HO fixture. I think a 6 or 8 bulb fixture, but I am having a difficult time locating many in 24". I have found an ebay special that has 6 lamps, individual reflectors and an electronic ballast with a 5 yr warranty, but am a little wary of purchasing a no name fixture.

I have also considered a metal halide. If I go that route, do you think 250 would be enough or should I go 400w.

Thanks in advance, everyone, for your help.

RoganTerrance · 01/24/2010, 09:34 PM

i thank 250

Chiefsurfer · 01/24/2010, 10:28 PM

that's tough. The t5 would be great for that tank. However, most 24" I have seen are the kind that sit on top of the tank(not hanging). I know aquatic life lights sells a hanging kit for all their fixtures, but the 24" only comes in a 4-bulb. So if you wanted 8, you would have to go back to back with 2 fixtures.

If given that it must hang, I would also choose the MH. I think 250 should be ok, depends on how high off the water. I think if you hung the fixture more than 12" away from the surface of the water, I think a 400 would be fine, in that it would not "burn" corals. If you want it closer, I'd go with 250, and you should be fine.

garzaci · 01/24/2010, 11:15 PM

I have the 24" aquaticlife and love it. 3 built in timers to control actinics, daylights, and moonlights. You can put it on the tank or order the hanging kit for it. I have had no problems with it whatsoever. Oh, and I forgot individual reflectors. Two of them back to back would only set you back less than 400 dollars. Or you could go LED. The extra you spend on the fixture you will save on electricity usage and bulb replacement.

lorawalters13 · 01/25/2010, 10:28 AM

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I don't have to have a hanging fixture...I would just prefer it because I think it gives a cleaner look.

I currently have a 4x24 Nova Extreme T5HO fixture that is not in use, but I really think I need more light than 4 bulbs will provide. Purchasing another is an option, although one fixture would be ideal.

Does anyone have any experience with the T5 lighting fixtures on ebay? I would post a link, but I believe it is against RC's rules.

Chiefsurfer · 01/25/2010, 10:41 AM

I personally would not trust a "no-name" fixture on ebay. A nova or otherwise, sure, but no-name, not for a second. Nothing worse than paying $100 for a fixture, then like a month later, bulbs are done, balasts blown, and nothing you can do with it but throw it in the trash.

IslandCrow · 01/25/2010, 12:23 PM

I'm a T-5 guy, but for a 20g tall, I really think I'd go with metal halide. T5 efficiency increases with bulb length, so you're getting some diminishing returns at 24". Also, with T5s, the quality of your reflectors is a huge issue, and as you've found, the larger name brands have a somewhat limited supply when it comes to 24" T5s. I'd look into the Teks or Aquactinics if you really want to go with T5s, though. Aquactinics makes a 5 bulb T5. I don't know much about that particular fixture, but I've never heard anything bad about their products. Also, ATI makes 4 and 6 bulb fixtures. I'd say a 4-bulb ATI would support anything you'd want to put in your tank, including clams. Another option is to go with an Icecap retro. 4 overdriven T5s with Icecap reflectors would be plenty for your tank.

Two places you generally don't want to go cheap with a reef tank are protein skimmers and lighting.

theyammieguy · 01/25/2010, 02:19 PM

ATI sunpower 6 bulb.

01/24/2010, 09:32 PM	#1
lorawalters13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: west Tennessee Posts: 399	Please help me choose lighting for my new aquarium I am purchasing a 24" rimless cube. It will house mostly lps, zoas and a couple clams. I am having a difficult time settling on what lighting I will need. I would prefer a hanging T5HO fixture. I think a 6 or 8 bulb fixture, but I am having a difficult time locating many in 24". I have found an ebay special that has 6 lamps, individual reflectors and an electronic ballast with a 5 yr warranty, but am a little wary of purchasing a no name fixture. I have also considered a metal halide. If I go that route, do you think 250 would be enough or should I go 400w. Thanks in advance, everyone, for your help.

01/24/2010, 09:34 PM	#2
RoganTerrance Young Reefer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scottsdale Az Posts: 1,253	i thank 250 __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>

01/24/2010, 10:28 PM	#3
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	that's tough. The t5 would be great for that tank. However, most 24" I have seen are the kind that sit on top of the tank(not hanging). I know aquatic life lights sells a hanging kit for all their fixtures, but the 24" only comes in a 4-bulb. So if you wanted 8, you would have to go back to back with 2 fixtures. If given that it must hang, I would also choose the MH. I think 250 should be ok, depends on how high off the water. I think if you hung the fixture more than 12" away from the surface of the water, I think a 400 would be fine, in that it would not "burn" corals. If you want it closer, I'd go with 250, and you should be fine. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

01/24/2010, 11:15 PM	#4
garzaci Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 241	I have the 24" aquaticlife and love it. 3 built in timers to control actinics, daylights, and moonlights. You can put it on the tank or order the hanging kit for it. I have had no problems with it whatsoever. Oh, and I forgot individual reflectors. Two of them back to back would only set you back less than 400 dollars. Or you could go LED. The extra you spend on the fixture you will save on electricity usage and bulb replacement. __________________ Carlos No tank at all. Sold everything when I got stationed in Okinawa. Planning for when I return though. Current Tank Info: 20 gal reef tank

01/25/2010, 10:41 AM	#6
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I personally would not trust a "no-name" fixture on ebay. A nova or otherwise, sure, but no-name, not for a second. Nothing worse than paying $100 for a fixture, then like a month later, bulbs are done, balasts blown, and nothing you can do with it but throw it in the trash. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

01/25/2010, 10:28 AM	#5
lorawalters13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: west Tennessee Posts: 399	Thanks for the responses, guys. I don't have to have a hanging fixture...I would just prefer it because I think it gives a cleaner look. I currently have a 4x24 Nova Extreme T5HO fixture that is not in use, but I really think I need more light than 4 bulbs will provide. Purchasing another is an option, although one fixture would be ideal. Does anyone have any experience with the T5 lighting fixtures on ebay? I would post a link, but I believe it is against RC's rules.

01/25/2010, 12:23 PM	#7
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'm a T-5 guy, but for a 20g tall, I really think I'd go with metal halide. T5 efficiency increases with bulb length, so you're getting some diminishing returns at 24". Also, with T5s, the quality of your reflectors is a huge issue, and as you've found, the larger name brands have a somewhat limited supply when it comes to 24" T5s. I'd look into the Teks or Aquactinics if you really want to go with T5s, though. Aquactinics makes a 5 bulb T5. I don't know much about that particular fixture, but I've never heard anything bad about their products. Also, ATI makes 4 and 6 bulb fixtures. I'd say a 4-bulb ATI would support anything you'd want to put in your tank, including clams. Another option is to go with an Icecap retro. 4 overdriven T5s with Icecap reflectors would be plenty for your tank. Two places you generally don't want to go cheap with a reef tank are protein skimmers and lighting. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

01/25/2010, 02:19 PM	#8
theyammieguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,691	ATI sunpower 6 bulb. __________________ "Ya'll can go to hell, I'm going to Texas". David Crockett. 12g JBJ deluxe JBJ viper 70w, maxi jet 900, Koralia nano, two false percs, softies, LPS, and SPS, about 25# LR and 2"-3" SB. Running since 3/22/07. Soon to add sump with skimmer Click my home page for pictures. 40g breeder upgrade in progress. Planning a 60g cube FOWLR.