Lighting options for a 30" reef

Ston3 · 05/11/2010, 08:54 PM

Hello all,

I have a 37 g (30.25 x 12.5 x 22.75) fowlr in which I'll be making the step to reef in the near future. Right now, I have a 30" dual pc coralife fixture with one broken ballast (using 1 65w 50/50 bulb). I know I'm going to need an upgrade so Ive been looking at my options.

There aren't many 30" fixtures out there so I wanted to see what you all think. I was looking at the Current USA SunDial T5HO w/Timers LED 30" or the panorama led fixture. The only issues with the led fixture is that it is only 24.5" and it looks like i'd have to get behind the tank to install the stand mount which is not possible. I was thinking about mh but my tank already runs at about 79F with just pc bulb and I don't want to invest in a chiller.

I also thought about building a canopy and retrofitting some lights. I have some wood working but does the fitting require more expertise? Or do I just have to buy a kit and screw it into the canopy?

Thanks in advance.

Ston3 · 05/11/2010, 08:57 PM

Oh btw, I was thinking of keeping softies, lps, and maybe some sps near the top.

T575 · 05/11/2010, 09:08 PM

A 24" fixture would be just fine. I would do a 150-175 halide with pc or t5 actinics. Otherwise a pc light isnt that bad for coral. I had verry good luck in a 120 with pc lights.Have a 28hqi nano with retro 18w actinics. Its the magic tank

Ston3 · 05/11/2010, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the reply. My concern with mh is the temperature. Have you heard anything about the Current USA sundial t5 fixture?

santarosasalt · 05/12/2010, 12:47 AM

I've had that fixture on my 29 for about 6 months now and I am very happy with it. The bulbs are little weak so they will need to be changed out soon but I am able to keep sps in my tank on the top half and lps on the sand of an 18" tall tank.

Ston3 · 05/12/2010, 03:19 AM

Great thanks, I think I'm going to go with that as there aren't many 30" fixtures.

ZurichOne95 · 05/12/2010, 08:47 AM

I have a Sundial 30" for sale 140 shipped. But Its a Great lighting fixture. I kept anything from softies to SPS. 9 months old. Great choice

zachfishman · 05/19/2010, 02:12 PM

I too have had great luck with PCs over my 120 (softies and LPS only). Ston3, how did you like your 2x65watt PC hood over your 37? I'm about to start a 29 (same tank just shorter) and am looking at a 2x65 PC hood.

05/11/2010, 08:54 PM	#1
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Lighting options for a 30" reef Hello all, I have a 37 g (30.25 x 12.5 x 22.75) fowlr in which I'll be making the step to reef in the near future. Right now, I have a 30" dual pc coralife fixture with one broken ballast (using 1 65w 50/50 bulb). I know I'm going to need an upgrade so Ive been looking at my options. There aren't many 30" fixtures out there so I wanted to see what you all think. I was looking at the Current USA SunDial T5HO w/Timers LED 30" or the panorama led fixture. The only issues with the led fixture is that it is only 24.5" and it looks like i'd have to get behind the tank to install the stand mount which is not possible. I was thinking about mh but my tank already runs at about 79F with just pc bulb and I don't want to invest in a chiller. I also thought about building a canopy and retrofitting some lights. I have some wood working but does the fitting require more expertise? Or do I just have to buy a kit and screw it into the canopy? Thanks in advance.

05/11/2010, 09:27 PM	#4
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Thanks for the reply. My concern with mh is the temperature. Have you heard anything about the Current USA sundial t5 fixture? __________________ \| 37g reef \| 10g diy sump \| mag 7 return \| 300gph diy overflow \| Current t5ho 96w \| Odyssea PS75 \|

05/12/2010, 12:47 AM	#5
santarosasalt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Rosa Posts: 202	I've had that fixture on my 29 for about 6 months now and I am very happy with it. The bulbs are little weak so they will need to be changed out soon but I am able to keep sps in my tank on the top half and lps on the sand of an 18" tall tank. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef with a Coralife Aqualight Pro w/Phoenix 14K bulbs and still a Seaclone protein skimmer

05/12/2010, 03:19 AM	#6
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Great thanks, I think I'm going to go with that as there aren't many 30" fixtures. __________________ \| 37g reef \| 10g diy sump \| mag 7 return \| 300gph diy overflow \| Current t5ho 96w \| Odyssea PS75 \|

05/19/2010, 02:12 PM	#8
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	I too have had great luck with PCs over my 120 (softies and LPS only). Ston3, how did you like your 2x65watt PC hood over your 37? I'm about to start a 29 (same tank just shorter) and am looking at a 2x65 PC hood. __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

05/11/2010, 08:57 PM	#2
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Oh btw, I was thinking of keeping softies, lps, and maybe some sps near the top.

05/11/2010, 09:08 PM	#3
T575 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 79	A 24" fixture would be just fine. I would do a 150-175 halide with pc or t5 actinics. Otherwise a pc light isnt that bad for coral. I had verry good luck in a 120 with pc lights.Have a 28hqi nano with retro 18w actinics. Its the magic tank

05/12/2010, 08:47 AM	#7
ZurichOne95 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Glen Allen Posts: 518	I have a Sundial 30" for sale 140 shipped. But Its a Great lighting fixture. I kept anything from softies to SPS. 9 months old. Great choice

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