help with light recommendations please

Joel A · 06/02/2010, 07:15 PM

so in upgrading to my new 120 gallon tank, i'm thinking that i also want to upgrade my lighting system. I've currently got a 6x54 watt ATI sunpower over my 75 gallon, and the light is more then adequate... the new tank will be SPS dominated.

my new set-up however, is 4" deeper front to back, as well as 4" taller, or 4" more distance to the sand bed. The new tank also has eurobracing, so it essentially blocks out directly light for 4" on each end of the tank... all of these things together are making me think that a 6 bulb 48" sunpower is probably not the unit for me.

I was thinking that i'd be better suited with a 36" fixture, because of the eurobracing.. if i stayed with all t5's maybe something like an 8x39 ATI Powermodule? Or would you go with 10? I'm also kicking around the idea of adding some metal halides to the mix, mainly because i love the look of radiums.. this has gotten me looking at combination fixtures that are around 36" and use t5's and metal halides. The ones that stick out to me are the Elos Planet, the Giesemann Infiniti (although that's 48"), and the 36" sfiligoi HQI stealth.

So judging by the cost of all of the fixtures mentioned, i've decided that i'm willing to pay in the ball park of 1,500 for the fixture.. but only if it's the right one of course, and justifies a 1,000 dollar upgrade over my current ATI sunpower.

Anyone care to offer any feedback?

TheFishMan65 · 06/02/2010, 08:02 PM

I was sort of in the same boat. I decided on LEDs. For I think less than $1000 you could DIY you own fixture. Or have you ruled out LEDs?

Tigé21v · 06/02/2010, 09:31 PM

I would think you would be better off staying with a 48" fixture, if you choose to stay with T5's. Unless the bracing is black, you are still going to get more lighting on the sides of your tank (even through the bracing), than you would with a 36" fixture. Also, with T5's , the longer the bulbs, the stronger the light penetration.

Joel A · 06/03/2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigé21v

I would think you would be better off staying with a 48" fixture, if you choose to stay with T5's. Unless the bracing is black, you are still going to get more lighting on the sides of your tank (even through the bracing), than you would with a 36" fixture. Also, with T5's , the longer the bulbs, the stronger the light penetration.

well it's an oceanic tech tank, so the 4" eurobracing is indeed solid black plastic..

ryancmatchett · 06/03/2010, 06:51 AM

Subscribing to this.

I just purchased my first tank, a 120g, 48X24X24, and the previous owner had softies and leathers. He had 2 X 250W MH only, and we are trying to figure out if we should add LEDs only or T5s and LEDs, so I will follow to see what you decide. I am limited on space, but feel the advantages of the MH show we should keep them and only add supplementals.

Looking forward to what you decide on....
Ryan

TheFishMan65 · 06/03/2010, 07:13 AM

Ryan,
Read the DIY led threads. Lots of success with only LEDs.

Joel A · 06/03/2010, 12:30 PM

as far as LED's i personally feel that they still have a LONG way to come.. i wouldn't say it's wrong to think that they are the future of our hobby, but i've yet to see a true LED set-up that impressed me personally, or that i would feel comfortable about shelling out a good deal of cash on over comparable t5/metal halide set-ups... i still think that t5's/MH's light a tank better, and also bring a lot more "bang for the buck" to the table..

i really do hope the LED's come around.. i just personally am not seeing it yet. YMMV

TheFishMan65 · 06/03/2010, 01:43 PM

Everyone has their own opinion and it is right! At least for them. I agree with you about most of the commercial fixture which is why I suggest doing it yourself. Of course as I look back it wasn't quite that clear

[EDIT]
Just refound this. It is a comparison of MH to LEDs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by serpentman

I got the XPG optics in this afternoon. They are a real PITA to mount as they must be glued. I think they are made for a different star. The mounting piece overlaps the solder pads so I had to almost mount them first, then resolder the lead onto the LED. However, it was worth the hassle. The results were impressive. PAR increased by ~30-40% and ranged in the 270-300 range under two arrays (48 LED's total).

I slapped 2 arrays over the tank for some rough testing. PAR seemed comparable to my 250W MHs. However, the LEDs actually performed better at depth. With the MH's I get PAR of 150 at the sand (~24") and the LED's were in the 200-220.

Please disregard the dirty glass. Here they are compared to my MH's.

solitude127 · 06/03/2010, 02:47 PM

Is this fixture going to be hung or within a canopy? Aesthetically, I like the look of my PM. I have my PM hanging above my hoodless tank. IMO, if you're going to cover it up, the go with DIY, but if you're going to hang it, I'd go with a PM. I have 8x54 watt over my 60x30x20 and it give me plenty of light. I can easily grow most LPS out on the sides. I have my rockwork about 3"-4" away from the glass all the way around. If it were me, I'd go with a 8x39 watt PM.

06/02/2010, 07:15 PM	#1
Joel A Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Masschusetts Posts: 410	help with light recommendations please so in upgrading to my new 120 gallon tank, i'm thinking that i also want to upgrade my lighting system. I've currently got a 6x54 watt ATI sunpower over my 75 gallon, and the light is more then adequate... the new tank will be SPS dominated. my new set-up however, is 4" deeper front to back, as well as 4" taller, or 4" more distance to the sand bed. The new tank also has eurobracing, so it essentially blocks out directly light for 4" on each end of the tank... all of these things together are making me think that a 6 bulb 48" sunpower is probably not the unit for me. I was thinking that i'd be better suited with a 36" fixture, because of the eurobracing.. if i stayed with all t5's maybe something like an 8x39 ATI Powermodule? Or would you go with 10? I'm also kicking around the idea of adding some metal halides to the mix, mainly because i love the look of radiums.. this has gotten me looking at combination fixtures that are around 36" and use t5's and metal halides. The ones that stick out to me are the Elos Planet, the Giesemann Infiniti (although that's 48"), and the 36" sfiligoi HQI stealth. So judging by the cost of all of the fixtures mentioned, i've decided that i'm willing to pay in the ball park of 1,500 for the fixture.. but only if it's the right one of course, and justifies a 1,000 dollar upgrade over my current ATI sunpower. Anyone care to offer any feedback?

06/03/2010, 02:47 PM	#9
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Is this fixture going to be hung or within a canopy? Aesthetically, I like the look of my PM. I have my PM hanging above my hoodless tank. IMO, if you're going to cover it up, the go with DIY, but if you're going to hang it, I'd go with a PM. I have 8x54 watt over my 60x30x20 and it give me plenty of light. I can easily grow most LPS out on the sides. I have my rockwork about 3"-4" away from the glass all the way around. If it were me, I'd go with a 8x39 watt PM. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

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06/02/2010, 08:02 PM	#2
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	I was sort of in the same boat. I decided on LEDs. For I think less than $1000 you could DIY you own fixture. Or have you ruled out LEDs?

06/02/2010, 09:31 PM	#3
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	I would think you would be better off staying with a 48" fixture, if you choose to stay with T5's. Unless the bracing is black, you are still going to get more lighting on the sides of your tank (even through the bracing), than you would with a 36" fixture. Also, with T5's , the longer the bulbs, the stronger the light penetration.

06/03/2010, 06:51 AM	#5
ryancmatchett Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 86	Subscribing to this. I just purchased my first tank, a 120g, 48X24X24, and the previous owner had softies and leathers. He had 2 X 250W MH only, and we are trying to figure out if we should add LEDs only or T5s and LEDs, so I will follow to see what you decide. I am limited on space, but feel the advantages of the MH show we should keep them and only add supplementals. Looking forward to what you decide on.... Ryan

06/03/2010, 07:13 AM	#6
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Ryan, Read the DIY led threads. Lots of success with only LEDs.

06/03/2010, 12:30 PM	#7
Joel A Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Masschusetts Posts: 410	as far as LED's i personally feel that they still have a LONG way to come.. i wouldn't say it's wrong to think that they are the future of our hobby, but i've yet to see a true LED set-up that impressed me personally, or that i would feel comfortable about shelling out a good deal of cash on over comparable t5/metal halide set-ups... i still think that t5's/MH's light a tank better, and also bring a lot more "bang for the buck" to the table.. i really do hope the LED's come around.. i just personally am not seeing it yet. YMMV