Best Frag Tank Lighting

jefft321 · 04/24/2008, 01:51 AM

I have a Zeroedge Frag Tank that is 24" Wide 20" Deep (front to back) and 8" High (water depth).
I was thinking about a 24" 6-Bulb T5 fixture (24 watt bulbs).
But I was also wondering about the Coral Vue Lumenaric that is 24 inches across and wide? Would the reflection be enough to cover the edges of the aquarium? How wide is the concentrated light spread? Would I need single or double ended bulbs? How many watts? 250 or 400 Watts?
The exact center of the aquarium is where the water return is, so I need good coverage of light across the tank.
Thanks.

Reefsystem · 04/24/2008, 04:50 AM

i would just go for halides they are more efficient then t5's
watts/lumens.

alanmorehead · 04/24/2008, 07:34 AM

For that size of a tank you might be better off just getting the metal halide in a Lumenarc. The Lumenarc shouldn't have any problems covering that tank, but 250w and 400w are a lot for an 8" tall tank. You might consider a 175w or 150w. For replacment cost, you'll spend about $125 on 6 T5 bulbs, whereas a MH will run about $60 for a good bulb. The T5 will allow more color options and dusk/dawn effect, but I don't think those are big factors for a frag tank.

jefft321 · 04/24/2008, 12:41 PM

Where is a good place to get the Lumenarc? What size should I get (assuming the reflectors are different sizes? Also, if I go Metal halide should I do a 14K or 20K to get better coloration since I am only using 1 bulb?
Thanks

cbusreefer · 04/24/2008, 02:43 PM

marinedepot usually has good prices...

brightsilverRT · 04/24/2008, 03:23 PM

Hellolights has some decent Retro kits with the lumenarc reflectors. Decent Prices too.

04/24/2008, 01:51 AM	#1
jefft321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rocky River Posts: 650	Best Frag Tank Lighting I have a Zeroedge Frag Tank that is 24" Wide 20" Deep (front to back) and 8" High (water depth). I was thinking about a 24" 6-Bulb T5 fixture (24 watt bulbs). But I was also wondering about the Coral Vue Lumenaric that is 24 inches across and wide? Would the reflection be enough to cover the edges of the aquarium? How wide is the concentrated light spread? Would I need single or double ended bulbs? How many watts? 250 or 400 Watts? The exact center of the aquarium is where the water return is, so I need good coverage of light across the tank. Thanks.

04/24/2008, 04:50 AM	#2
Reefsystem Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 128	i would just go for halides they are more efficient then t5's watts/lumens.

04/24/2008, 07:34 AM	#3
alanmorehead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 461	For that size of a tank you might be better off just getting the metal halide in a Lumenarc. The Lumenarc shouldn't have any problems covering that tank, but 250w and 400w are a lot for an 8" tall tank. You might consider a 175w or 150w. For replacment cost, you'll spend about $125 on 6 T5 bulbs, whereas a MH will run about $60 for a good bulb. The T5 will allow more color options and dusk/dawn effect, but I don't think those are big factors for a frag tank.

04/24/2008, 12:41 PM	#4
jefft321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rocky River Posts: 650	Where is a good place to get the Lumenarc? What size should I get (assuming the reflectors are different sizes? Also, if I go Metal halide should I do a 14K or 20K to get better coloration since I am only using 1 bulb? Thanks

04/24/2008, 02:43 PM	#5
cbusreefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 497	marinedepot usually has good prices...

04/24/2008, 03:23 PM	#6
brightsilverRT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 39	Hellolights has some decent Retro kits with the lumenarc reflectors. Decent Prices too.