Lighting for my future tank...

rsteagall · 01/12/2009, 04:19 PM

Sometime over the next several months, I plan on getting all the hardware I need for my new setup. I'll be getting an Oceanic Reef Ready Ultimate 156. This tank is L 60.5 x W 24.5 x H 25. I have no idea what I'll be keeping in it. I expect mostly zoanthids/lps and a small amount of sps. Here are 2 different 48" lighting systems I'm looking at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Metal-Halide-...QQcmdZViewItem

and

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html

I've chosen these two lighting system because I want a plug-n-play type system and no retro. I've also chosen this 48" length because I can not use a 72" system on this 60.5" tank and there is no 60" system.

Can someone please give me an honest opinion on these two lighting systems and how they might operate on the Oceanic Reef Ready Ultimate 156 I'm planning on getting? If you have another suggestion... please shoot!

Thanks!
Ryan

Mojo Jojo · 01/12/2009, 04:29 PM

Tek would be my choice from those two.
Why not this model? Not sure if you have considered it? The fan cooling goes a long way in bulb life and PAR over a period of time.

http://www.aquacave.com/48-6x54w-nov...-usa-1990.html

rsteagall · 01/12/2009, 09:18 PM

Good call. I'll consider that. I wish there were legs for it that would fit on a 5' tank like I'm going to get. I guess a 60" tank is just not as common. I like the odd size though.

With that said, do you think 1 of those would be enough for the tank that I've described? Or should I consider 2 of them?

Pheeshes · 01/12/2009, 09:22 PM

there are 60" fixtures. that's what the 80 watt t-5 bulbs fit. they giesmann and ati and sifiglio(or how ever it's spelled) all make them. if you are interested

rsteagall · 01/12/2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pheeshes
there are 60" fixtures. that's what the 80 watt t-5 bulbs fit. they giesmann and ati and sifiglio(or how ever it's spelled) all make them. if you are interested

Yea, but I don't think you get nearly the selection of bulbs do you?

James77 · 01/12/2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rsteagall
Yea, but I don't think you get nearly the selection of bulbs do you?

There is not as many as the more popular wattages, but the selection is good. At reefgeek, there are 12 80w bulbs to choose from including the popular ones like Blue plus, aquablue plus and special, actinics, fiji purple, etc.

mordibv · 01/12/2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rsteagall
Yea, but I don't think you get nearly the selection of bulbs do you?

Sure u do . U don't have much of a selection as the other bulbs (not trying to start a ruckus here ) are ho hum .

ATI ,
Geisemann
KZ
GE ( not sure on this one )
Aqua Science

I have used the first 4 . I favor ATI and KZ which I run now

The only one that is also good are the ULV or used to be URI . The Aquasun is popular

rsteagall · 01/13/2009, 08:06 AM

All in all.. I guess you're probably right. Now to determine which would work out better...

Do you guys think a 48" length light over a 60" tank would probably work out? Which configuration would you go with?

Pheeshes · 01/13/2009, 08:20 AM

how much money can you spend? that would be what would make my decision. if i could afford it i would definitly go 60". if the price was going to be a factor i would probably still think about the 60". will you want to upgrade in the future to the 60" or will you always be satisfied with the 48? there is no reason to buy 2 lights for the same tank.

mordibv · 01/13/2009, 08:38 AM

Cuz u want plug n play if u get a 48 inch fixture it will shade way too much . If u can afford it go with 60 . Other wise retro would be the way for 48 's to compensate for the 12 inch gap in shading . u would need to use more bulbs though .imo

nozleman · 01/13/2009, 10:48 AM

I had a custom built fixture 60", with everything in it: moonlights, halides, T5, fans, built catalina Aquariums, over the phone, $850 later and 3 years, still going, it is my second one by them!

James77 · 01/13/2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rsteagall
All in all.. I guess you're probably right. Now to determine which would work out better...

Do you guys think a 48" length light over a 60" tank would probably work out? Which configuration would you go with?

With a T5 it would work. You'd have some shading at the sides, but that may be beneficial if you want lower light corals, especially with an ATI- they have alot of PAR. I would go 60" if you have the money and want full coverage.

A 48" MH fixture may not work as well, since the halides would be off center from the 5' tank.

rsteagall · 01/13/2009, 08:39 PM

Thanks James. Exactly what you said is kind of what I was thinking except for the halide part. Good thought on that one.

We're having a club frag swap this weekend. While I don't have an aquarium up and running, I might go because we have a speaker coming that is a lighting specialist. I think I'll bounce this off him as well.

01/12/2009, 04:19 PM	#1
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	Lighting for my future tank... Sometime over the next several months, I plan on getting all the hardware I need for my new setup. I'll be getting an Oceanic Reef Ready Ultimate 156. This tank is L 60.5 x W 24.5 x H 25. I have no idea what I'll be keeping in it. I expect mostly zoanthids/lps and a small amount of sps. Here are 2 different 48" lighting systems I'm looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Metal-Halide-...QQcmdZViewItem and http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html I've chosen these two lighting system because I want a plug-n-play type system and no retro. I've also chosen this 48" length because I can not use a 72" system on this 60.5" tank and there is no 60" system. Can someone please give me an honest opinion on these two lighting systems and how they might operate on the Oceanic Reef Ready Ultimate 156 I'm planning on getting? If you have another suggestion... please shoot! Thanks! Ryan

01/12/2009, 09:18 PM	#3
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	Good call. I'll consider that. I wish there were legs for it that would fit on a 5' tank like I'm going to get. I guess a 60" tank is just not as common. I like the odd size though. With that said, do you think 1 of those would be enough for the tank that I've described? Or should I consider 2 of them? __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: One hand holding a beer, the other in the tank, and my toes typing on the keyboard. Drunks, reefing, and keyboards do mix in a 5GAL bucket with a 1200 MJ!

01/13/2009, 08:06 AM	#8
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	All in all.. I guess you're probably right. Now to determine which would work out better... Do you guys think a 48" length light over a 60" tank would probably work out? Which configuration would you go with? __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: One hand holding a beer, the other in the tank, and my toes typing on the keyboard. Drunks, reefing, and keyboards do mix in a 5GAL bucket with a 1200 MJ!

01/13/2009, 08:39 PM	#13
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	Thanks James. Exactly what you said is kind of what I was thinking except for the halide part. Good thought on that one. We're having a club frag swap this weekend. While I don't have an aquarium up and running, I might go because we have a speaker coming that is a lighting specialist. I think I'll bounce this off him as well. __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: One hand holding a beer, the other in the tank, and my toes typing on the keyboard. Drunks, reefing, and keyboards do mix in a 5GAL bucket with a 1200 MJ!

01/12/2009, 04:29 PM	#2
Mojo Jojo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,495	Tek would be my choice from those two. Why not this model? Not sure if you have considered it? The fan cooling goes a long way in bulb life and PAR over a period of time. http://www.aquacave.com/48-6x54w-nov...-usa-1990.html

01/12/2009, 09:22 PM	#4
Pheeshes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	there are 60" fixtures. that's what the 80 watt t-5 bulbs fit. they giesmann and ati and sifiglio(or how ever it's spelled) all make them. if you are interested

01/13/2009, 08:20 AM	#9
Pheeshes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	how much money can you spend? that would be what would make my decision. if i could afford it i would definitly go 60". if the price was going to be a factor i would probably still think about the 60". will you want to upgrade in the future to the 60" or will you always be satisfied with the 48? there is no reason to buy 2 lights for the same tank.

01/13/2009, 08:38 AM	#10
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	Cuz u want plug n play if u get a 48 inch fixture it will shade way too much . If u can afford it go with 60 . Other wise retro would be the way for 48 's to compensate for the 12 inch gap in shading . u would need to use more bulbs though .imo

01/13/2009, 10:48 AM	#11
nozleman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Camarillo, ca Posts: 208	I had a custom built fixture 60", with everything in it: moonlights, halides, T5, fans, built catalina Aquariums, over the phone, $850 later and 3 years, still going, it is my second one by them!