Light fixture for 30" tank

blur456 · 11/29/2012, 01:23 PM

I have a 34 gallon tank that is 30 (long) x 18 (wide) x 14 (tall). Currently its a FOWLR but want to move into corals. Looking at T5 primarily but also LED solutions. Budget is limited and I tend to pick no hassle, bang-for-buck items (and once I know what I need to spend to achieve this, I can set a final budget).

Before I start inquiring about actual units, I need help on sizing the fixture. I'm realizing that 30" long may be a little non-standard. Most fixtures are 24" and the next size up is 36". I have found a few 30" T5 fixtures however but that size T5 bulb is not standard, limiting choices down the road (please tell me if this is sound reasoning).

Can a 24" fixture safely fit on the tank? Is the 3 inch "gap" on either side that meaningful for lighting purposes?

Assuming I can go with a 24" fixture, is there a recommended wattage for either T5's or LEDs that I should be looking at. For example, is 4 bulb T5 fixture sufficient or do I need 6? Are there pro's/con's to LED pendents, hanging, or strip lighting for this size tank?

Just too many choices out there and I need help to narrow the field. My brain is overwhelmed reading all of the threads in the lighting forum.

thanks!

sponger0 · 11/29/2012, 01:45 PM

A 4 bulb T5 would be your best bet if on a budget. A 24 could work but either 24 or 36 or youll be limited to crappy bulbs lol.

If you can fork up the cash, Id say LEDs

arw547 · 11/29/2012, 04:26 PM

Check out Reefbreeders 24" controllable LED fixture. It will let you do sunrise, sunset, and moonlights and you won't have to deal with replacing T5 bulbs. I'm still waiting for my fixture to come in since they only went up for pre-order a few weeks ago.

mfinn · 11/29/2012, 06:12 PM

I love my 6 x 24watt ATI T5 fixture on my 30" x 20" x 20" tank.
I did have to hang it.

pktech · 11/29/2012, 08:45 PM

I love my marineland led fixture - does the trick for me & looks awesome. It's got a timer & that was a big plus for me!

blur456 · 11/29/2012, 09:22 PM

thanks all, I've got more reading to do!

So, we all agree that I should avoid T5 fixtures that have 30" bulbs? (Upon further inspection, some of the stated 30" fixtures have 24" bulbs... but for $60 more than the 24" fixture!).

A 4 bulb T5 should be sufficient? A 2 bulb would not?

Is there a recommended sizing for a LED fixture for a tank this size?

Looking at some of your suggestions, which I appreciate, but I don't think I can swing the $300+ for a T5 or LED fixtures. I need to find something much cheaper (I am scanning the for sale sections and CL.)

darkiss · 11/29/2012, 10:20 PM

One a150w kessil

President Evil · 11/29/2012, 11:14 PM

Although I am a complete noob, I am using a "marineland" adjustable LED, and a "coralife" 30 inch with a actnic, and 10,000 for my 30 inch long tank.

blur456 · 11/30/2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkiss

One a150w kessil

I was looking at that as a clean simple solution but everything I read suggests two for a tank my size which would push the cost way way up. Or is one sufficient; two is what is recommended so Kessil can make another sale?

blur456 · 11/30/2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by President Evil

Although I am a complete noob, I am using a "marineland" adjustable LED, and a "coralife" 30 inch with a actnic, and 10,000 for my 30 inch long tank.

Is the marineland LED the blue/white strip that clips onto the tank? Did it come with your tank -- I wonder if we have the same setup!? I have that strip as my main light source currently (good enough for fish only).

Are you growing/maintaing healthy coral with the 2 bulb setup?

President Evil · 11/30/2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blur456

Is the marineland LED the blue/white strip that clips onto the tank? Did it come with your tank -- I wonder if we have the same setup!? I have that strip as my main light source currently (good enough for fish only).

Are you growing/maintaing healthy coral with the 2 bulb setup?

Yeah, the LEDs have 3 lines of lights, with some blue lights in the center line. That light is my light i use on my timer. I bought the "T5" setup because I wasnt sure if the LED setup good enough for corals.
So far, no corals have died. I don't know if that is a ringing endorsement, but everyone is fat and happy.

nanoreefer1000 · 11/30/2012, 09:22 PM

Agreed with Reefbreeders, or a Maxspect razor, or two PAR38 bulbs

darkiss · 11/30/2012, 10:03 PM

Well I emailed kessil and they said one would be fine for a tank that size since we have the same size

I also went with ocean blue nice colors

FLEET · 12/01/2012, 10:37 AM

try looking at fishneedit.com. I am in the market for the same 30 inch long bare bucks light, and I think this is the one I'm going to go with.. Buddy has one and says it works great. Good luck.

sponger0 · 12/01/2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLEET

try looking at fishneedit.com. I am in the market for the same 30 inch long bare bucks light, and I think this is the one I'm going to go with.. Buddy has one and says it works great. Good luck.

Ive used one of theirs 24 inch 4 bulb on a 29 biocube. Worked great. But get better bulbs and make sure you replace them at 6 months.

blur456 · 12/02/2012, 07:48 PM

Thanks all. Great info to work with. I'll do some research on each of them.

Further suggestions appreciated!

blur456 · 12/03/2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLEET

try looking at fishneedit.com. I am in the market for the same 30 inch long bare bucks light, and I think this is the one I'm going to go with.. Buddy has one and says it works great. Good luck.

are you getting the 24" or 30" version? Does the 30" use 24" bulbs?

thanks!

blur456 · 12/05/2012, 10:56 AM

after some research and the realization of what I want to spend on this hobby... I'm looking at either the fishneedit T5 with upgraded bulbs versus the reefbreeders bridgelux value LED. Both options woud come out around $200. Leaning slightly towards the LED due to the lower future costs. thoughts?

Ocean Paradise · 12/05/2012, 12:50 PM

I would recommend the Marineland double bright LED canopy I'm using atm, looks stylish and saves a lot of electricity.

11/29/2012, 01:23 PM	#1
blur456 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 90	Light fixture for 30" tank I have a 34 gallon tank that is 30 (long) x 18 (wide) x 14 (tall). Currently its a FOWLR but want to move into corals. Looking at T5 primarily but also LED solutions. Budget is limited and I tend to pick no hassle, bang-for-buck items (and once I know what I need to spend to achieve this, I can set a final budget). Before I start inquiring about actual units, I need help on sizing the fixture. I'm realizing that 30" long may be a little non-standard. Most fixtures are 24" and the next size up is 36". I have found a few 30" T5 fixtures however but that size T5 bulb is not standard, limiting choices down the road (please tell me if this is sound reasoning). Can a 24" fixture safely fit on the tank? Is the 3 inch "gap" on either side that meaningful for lighting purposes? Assuming I can go with a 24" fixture, is there a recommended wattage for either T5's or LEDs that I should be looking at. For example, is 4 bulb T5 fixture sufficient or do I need 6? Are there pro's/con's to LED pendents, hanging, or strip lighting for this size tank? Just too many choices out there and I need help to narrow the field. My brain is overwhelmed reading all of the threads in the lighting forum. thanks!

11/29/2012, 06:12 PM	#4
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I love my 6 x 24watt ATI T5 fixture on my 30" x 20" x 20" tank. I did have to hang it. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

12/01/2012, 10:37 AM	#14
FLEET Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 13	Website to look at try looking at fishneedit.com. I am in the market for the same 30 inch long bare bucks light, and I think this is the one I'm going to go with.. Buddy has one and says it works great. Good luck. __________________ 56 Gallon Column tank Current Tank Info: 56 gallon collumn tank

11/29/2012, 01:45 PM	#2
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	A 4 bulb T5 would be your best bet if on a budget. A 24 could work but either 24 or 36 or youll be limited to crappy bulbs lol. If you can fork up the cash, Id say LEDs

11/29/2012, 04:26 PM	#3
arw547 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 9	Check out Reefbreeders 24" controllable LED fixture. It will let you do sunrise, sunset, and moonlights and you won't have to deal with replacing T5 bulbs. I'm still waiting for my fixture to come in since they only went up for pre-order a few weeks ago.

11/29/2012, 08:45 PM	#5
pktech Thread Ender Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 915	I love my marineland led fixture - does the trick for me & looks awesome. It's got a timer & that was a big plus for me!

11/29/2012, 09:22 PM	#6
blur456 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 90	thanks all, I've got more reading to do! So, we all agree that I should avoid T5 fixtures that have 30" bulbs? (Upon further inspection, some of the stated 30" fixtures have 24" bulbs... but for $60 more than the 24" fixture!). A 4 bulb T5 should be sufficient? A 2 bulb would not? Is there a recommended sizing for a LED fixture for a tank this size? Looking at some of your suggestions, which I appreciate, but I don't think I can swing the $300+ for a T5 or LED fixtures. I need to find something much cheaper (I am scanning the for sale sections and CL.)

11/29/2012, 10:20 PM	#7
darkiss Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 569	One a150w kessil

11/29/2012, 11:14 PM	#8
President Evil Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 66	Although I am a complete noob, I am using a "marineland" adjustable LED, and a "coralife" 30 inch with a actnic, and 10,000 for my 30 inch long tank.

11/30/2012, 09:22 PM	#12
nanoreefer1000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 1,040	Agreed with Reefbreeders, or a Maxspect razor, or two PAR38 bulbs

11/30/2012, 10:03 PM	#13
darkiss Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 569	Well I emailed kessil and they said one would be fine for a tank that size since we have the same size I also went with ocean blue nice colors

12/02/2012, 07:48 PM	#16
blur456 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 90	Thanks all. Great info to work with. I'll do some research on each of them. Further suggestions appreciated!

12/05/2012, 10:56 AM	#18
blur456 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 90	after some research and the realization of what I want to spend on this hobby... I'm looking at either the fishneedit T5 with upgraded bulbs versus the reefbreeders bridgelux value LED. Both options woud come out around $200. Leaning slightly towards the LED due to the lower future costs. thoughts?

12/05/2012, 12:50 PM	#19
Ocean Paradise Moved On Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 6	I would recommend the Marineland double bright LED canopy I'm using atm, looks stylish and saves a lot of electricity.