Best lighting for a 60 cube

synofreak · 03/04/2013, 09:00 PM

Hey all, just got a 60 cube to replace my 120 leaker. I have to score some lights soon. 24x24x24 cube. whats the best suggestions......dont want to hang my 6x80w fixture over my 2' tank =). Tired of bulb$, might try led?
HELP

givinggoodwill · 03/04/2013, 09:05 PM

you might be able to get away with a single radion with those dimensions, mounted close to the water.

matty0206 · 03/04/2013, 09:08 PM

I can say I am very happy with my Maxspect Razor. The 20" fixture would be good on that tank, maybe 2 if you want a ton of light. My 27" has good spread and covers my 36" 40breeder very well.

rtparty · 03/04/2013, 09:23 PM

I'm building a 60g cube right now actually. I tried LEDs for 18 months and bagged them. I will replace bulbs yearly to have good looking corals.

For me it has come down to two options.
1) ATI sunpower 6x24
2) aqua medic 250w metal halide pendant with Phoenix 14k bulb.

I love both setups and have them both already.

Pros and cons for me:

T5 - awesome colors, plenty of PAR, infinite bulb combos, I've used them for years with great success, low energy

6 bulbs to replace yearly is a con compared to one halide bulb.

MH - awesome color, plenty of PAR, one bulb to replace, used in past with success.

Higher electricity than anything else and my reflector isn't the greatest.

Both setups will have blue LEDs as dusk dawn and accent lighting.

Hope that helps a little. That's my thinking with my situation at least.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Drae · 03/05/2013, 10:12 AM

mh on a 60 cube imho. 1 radium or phoenix on the right ballast would be awesome on that tank.

Herbie · 03/05/2013, 10:37 AM

I am also in the process of a 60 Cube build. I love the ATI T5 fixtures , but miss the shimmer with them (colors and par are great). I have a 24" Ecoxotic Panarama Pro LED fixture with 9 modules, that will work, but in a 24" deep tank, I am not sure if I will get the penetration I need with the Pros.
In the end, I decided to hang one of my 250 Halides over the cube. I have a ballast that will overdrive the bulb 10%. That and a good reflector should be all the light I need. I have a batwing reflector now, but I am looking for a Lumenmax Elite reflector. I will prob throw 2-3 of the Panorama Pro modules on the 60 cube for dusk/dawn effect.
I will keep the Panorama Pro fixture with 6-9 modules over a 24x24x10 frag tank. I am having very good growth with the LED's so I will still use them on the frag tank, because its shallow, and rimless.
My 60 Cube has a hood to hide the halide, and help with light scatter.

You have a LOT of options with a 60 cube......choose wisely. I think a 250 Halide is perfect with a good bulb, like a Phoenix or Radium.

Herbie

corvettec7 · 03/14/2013, 02:08 PM

i plan on using a kessil a350 or the new a360 on a 60g cube with the same dimensions.

JAustin · 03/14/2013, 03:10 PM

Single 400w XM, USHIO, or Radium 20K would be perfect. Thats what I ran on my old 60g cube. Loved it!

alton · 03/14/2013, 03:12 PM

I have two friends, one had a 250w MH in a Luminbright pendant and the other has a single Vega. The MH tank looked great and corals did very well, and the Vega tank looks great also.

03/04/2013, 09:00 PM	#1
synofreak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockford,IL Posts: 739	Best lighting for a 60 cube Hey all, just got a 60 cube to replace my 120 leaker. I have to score some lights soon. 24x24x24 cube. whats the best suggestions......dont want to hang my 6x80w fixture over my 2' tank =). Tired of bulb$, might try led? HELP __________________ Give your dogs fresh water all the time, why not your reef=). Current Tank Info: 125g and 120g

03/04/2013, 09:23 PM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	I'm building a 60g cube right now actually. I tried LEDs for 18 months and bagged them. I will replace bulbs yearly to have good looking corals. For me it has come down to two options. 1) ATI sunpower 6x24 2) aqua medic 250w metal halide pendant with Phoenix 14k bulb. I love both setups and have them both already. Pros and cons for me: T5 - awesome colors, plenty of PAR, infinite bulb combos, I've used them for years with great success, low energy 6 bulbs to replace yearly is a con compared to one halide bulb. MH - awesome color, plenty of PAR, one bulb to replace, used in past with success. Higher electricity than anything else and my reflector isn't the greatest. Both setups will have blue LEDs as dusk dawn and accent lighting. Hope that helps a little. That's my thinking with my situation at least. Sent from my Galaxy S3 __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

03/14/2013, 03:10 PM	#8
JAustin Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,628	Single 400w XM, USHIO, or Radium 20K would be perfect. Thats what I ran on my old 60g cube. Loved it! __________________ 211g Planet Aquariums Hybrid PVC bottom 48"x34"x30" and steel stand from CustomReefCreations - Reeflo Super Dart - OM 4way - SRO XP3000 External - ATI Dimmable 8x54w - Apex.

03/04/2013, 09:05 PM	#2
givinggoodwill Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 59	you might be able to get away with a single radion with those dimensions, mounted close to the water.

03/04/2013, 09:08 PM	#3
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	I can say I am very happy with my Maxspect Razor. The 20" fixture would be good on that tank, maybe 2 if you want a ton of light. My 27" has good spread and covers my 36" 40breeder very well.

03/05/2013, 10:12 AM	#5
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	mh on a 60 cube imho. 1 radium or phoenix on the right ballast would be awesome on that tank.

03/05/2013, 10:37 AM	#6
Herbie Yep,that one Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Central PA Posts: 694	I am also in the process of a 60 Cube build. I love the ATI T5 fixtures , but miss the shimmer with them (colors and par are great). I have a 24" Ecoxotic Panarama Pro LED fixture with 9 modules, that will work, but in a 24" deep tank, I am not sure if I will get the penetration I need with the Pros. In the end, I decided to hang one of my 250 Halides over the cube. I have a ballast that will overdrive the bulb 10%. That and a good reflector should be all the light I need. I have a batwing reflector now, but I am looking for a Lumenmax Elite reflector. I will prob throw 2-3 of the Panorama Pro modules on the 60 cube for dusk/dawn effect. I will keep the Panorama Pro fixture with 6-9 modules over a 24x24x10 frag tank. I am having very good growth with the LED's so I will still use them on the frag tank, because its shallow, and rimless. My 60 Cube has a hood to hide the halide, and help with light scatter. You have a LOT of options with a 60 cube......choose wisely. I think a 250 Halide is perfect with a good bulb, like a Phoenix or Radium. Herbie

03/14/2013, 02:08 PM	#7
corvettec7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 2	i plan on using a kessil a350 or the new a360 on a 60g cube with the same dimensions.

03/14/2013, 03:12 PM	#9
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I have two friends, one had a 250w MH in a Luminbright pendant and the other has a single Vega. The MH tank looked great and corals did very well, and the Vega tank looks great also.