ATI Fixture over a Shallow Tank

[Hentz]

Hey guys, I'm downgrading to a 23 gallon nano tank.

I'm currently running two 24" Reefbreeders over my 75 right now, though in this downgrade I'd like to sell them and go ATI.

I love the LED's, but I feel I'm not getting the most out of my SPS.

I'm looking to throw a 24" 6x24 ATI fixture over this small thank. My concern is, since I would no longer be able to dim the lights and what not, how high do you think I should hang them?

My tanks dimensions are 30x15x12

Or should I just keep a single Reefbreeder myself?

[TAZ_67]

I am interested to see what others recommend for a starting height as I am getting ready to bring a 24 x 24 x 12 frag tank online in the next week or so and I have that exact fixture. I was looking at starting at a foot and keep an eye on things.

[Hentz]

Bump for both TAZ and I!

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Hentz

Hey guys, I'm downgrading to a 23 gallon nano tank.

I'm currently running two 24" Reefbreeders over my 75 right now, though in this downgrade I'd like to sell them and go ATI.

I love the LED's, but I feel I'm not getting the most out of my SPS.

I'm looking to throw a 24" 6x24 ATI fixture over this small thank. My concern is, since I would no longer be able to dim the lights and what not, how high do you think I should hang them?

My tanks dimensions are 30x15x12

Or should I just keep a single Reefbreeder myself?

I can tell you from experience that the 6x24 will be WAY too much for that tank. I had a 20 Long which is almost identical in size and had to keep it at least 12" off the surface and I still had issues keeping LPS. Then I had a ton of light spill on top of that.

A 4x24w ATI Sunpower will be plenty for anything and you can run it about 8" off the tank to cut down on spill.

Either way, I would dump the LEDs. I tried them for over 2 years with limited success.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by TAZ_67

I am interested to see what others recommend for a starting height as I am getting ready to bring a 24 x 24 x 12 frag tank online in the next week or so and I have that exact fixture. I was looking at starting at a foot and keep an eye on things.

A 6x24w will be perfect in your case since you are trying to cover 24" front to back. I would start at about 10" and go from there. Adding a couple actinic bulbs will bring PAR down and colors up. Since it is a frag tank you could basically run something like 2 Blue Plus, 2 Aquablue Special and 2 Actinic.

I would set it up something like this

Blue
Aquablue
Actinic
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue

Use the Aquablue for midday growth and then the other 4 bulbs to bring out colors and show off your corals.

Just a thought

[Hentz]

Originally Posted by rtparty

A 6x24w will be perfect in your case since you are trying to cover 24" front to back. I would start at about 10" and go from there. Adding a couple actinic bulbs will bring PAR down and colors up. Since it is a frag tank you could basically run something like 2 Blue Plus, 2 Aquablue Special and 2 Actinic.

I would set it up something like this

Blue
Aquablue
Actinic
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue

Use the Aquablue for midday growth and then the other 4 bulbs to bring out colors and show off your corals.

Just a thought

No no, I'm not trying to cover 24" front to back lol. I'm covering 15" front to back.

May just do a 4 bulb since it'll be way to much light anyways.

[Arkayology]

I have a 24x24x16 with a 17" width to cover due to the overflow and I think that my 6x24 is just right. 6 bulbs allows for more bulb combos too.

[Hentz]

Originally Posted by SoCalDude

I have a 24x24x16 with a 17" width to cover due to the overflow and I think that my 6x24 is just right. 6 bulbs allows for more bulb combos too.

I've been following your thread actually! Beautiful tank.
Yeah you're right about the bulb combo. Though I think since I'm only 15" front to back and 12" deep, also 20 gallons less than you, I may just do the 4x24.

The stand on my tank has a light rail drilled into it, so I don't have too much room to play with the height of the light.

Also, any good stores in SB? My GF Internships up in Solvang, so I'll be up there around May. Wondering if there is any stores worth stopping at on the way back to Vegas?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Hentz

No no, I'm not trying to cover 24" front to back lol. I'm covering 15" front to back.

May just do a 4 bulb since it'll be way to much light anyways.

That post wasn't for you. It was for Taz

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Hentz

No no, I'm not trying to cover 24" front to back lol. I'm covering 15" front to back.

May just do a 4 bulb since it'll be way to much light anyways.

That post wasn't for you. It was for Taz.

This was my post to you....

Originally Posted by rtparty

I can tell you from experience that the 6x24 will be WAY too much for that tank. I had a 20 Long which is almost identical in size and had to keep it at least 12" off the surface and I still had issues keeping LPS. Then I had a ton of light spill on top of that.

A 4x24w ATI Sunpower will be plenty for anything and you can run it about 8" off the tank to cut down on spill.

Either way, I would dump the LEDs. I tried them for over 2 years with limited success.

[Hentz]

Originally Posted by rtparty

I can tell you from experience that the 6x24 will be WAY too much for that tank. I had a 20 Long which is almost identical in size and had to keep it at least 12" off the surface and I still had issues keeping LPS. Then I had a ton of light spill on top of that.

A 4x24w ATI Sunpower will be plenty for anything and you can run it about 8" off the tank to cut down on spill.

Either way, I would dump the LEDs. I tried them for over 2 years with limited success.

Sorry completely answered the wrong post lol.

I think I'll go 4x24 then. Because I think I'm definitely under estimating the power of these lights.

[Voodoo Corals]

i wanted a 8 bulb ati for my 24in tank. i would get the 6 bulb at least if i was you. then again i do over go over board sometimes.....