Lighting for 45 Gallon

CHG107 · 12/30/2012, 08:43 AM

Well as I am in the process of thinking about an anenome for my tank I think it is time to upgrade the lighting. Dont flame me for this but I have actually had pretty good success growing some corals under my Marineland reef capable LED. Yea I said it!

.

Anyways I know that an anenome wont thrive under these lights so I don't know if I should get new LED's or go with a T5 setup. Now I know basically nothing about T5s because I have never considered them but I am open to buying them.

http://reefbreeders.com/bridgelux_value.html - Was considering these for LEDs? I am not sure how much SPS I would even want to grow as I am more of an LPS/Softie person. Any feedback on them would be great. As for T5's I am in the dark about them (no pun intended) so any links to some great ones or info in general as to what my needs would be would be much appreciated. The deepest part of my tank is around 18-20 inches below the water surface. Thank you for any and all help!

Myka · 12/30/2012, 09:35 AM

That LED looks like it would create a lot of light separation and would not be pleasant to look at. If you're looking for budget-friendly T5s check out AquaticLife fixtures.

Michigan Mike · 12/30/2012, 09:37 AM

I think that led system would be much better than what you have. As for what size you may look at the 24" model but I'm not sure. I used to have a 45g like 20 years ago, I forget the dimensions but I want to say 36"x13"x21 .
A 4x39w ATI Sunpower T5 fixture would be a great choice if you wanted T5.http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/t5-...t-fixture.html

CHG107 · 12/30/2012, 09:50 AM

Yes sorry those dimensions are correct, forgot to list those! but 36x13x21 is it. Ok so those LEDs are out the window then. Would love to go with them because of the efficiency but cant break the bank on $500+

Myka · 12/30/2012, 09:52 AM

The ATI fixture is a better fixture, but also higher price once you add bulbs to it (the AquaticLife comes with their own brand bulbs, and built in timer). Depends how much money you want to spend.

CHG107 · 12/30/2012, 09:55 AM

Well I am trying to keep it in the 300-350 range (has to work on college student budget).

Myka · 12/30/2012, 09:57 AM

Look for a used fixture then and budget money to buy new bulbs for it.

Michigan Mike · 12/30/2012, 09:58 AM

TEK light is good too if the ATI is too much money. I can't stand the boxy look of the Aquaticlife and the Aquaticlife bulbs aren't as good as ATI but they are better than most cheap bulbs. I prefer a workhorse like the ATI & TEK, no timers & moonlights to go bad. TEK is the best bang for your buck if you hang it over the tank because the legs are pricey, it should be in your budget too.

Isn't the 24" reef builders led only a little over $300 ?

CHG107 · 12/30/2012, 11:45 AM

Have a link to that LED on reef builders?

jason_bradbury · 12/30/2012, 01:16 PM

i have a MH set up..but i think with todays technology led is the way to go (if you have $$)..the bulbs/ diodes? last a long time and by computer you can program them to do all kinds of things..T5 is efficient and they have more of a variety in buld color (red, green) than T8..I personally havent a clue what kinda of light a red and green bulb mimics in nature..anyway, thats my 2cents

nanoreefer1000 · 12/30/2012, 01:18 PM

DIY led maybe?

12/30/2012, 08:43 AM	#1
CHG107 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York Posts: 205	Lighting for 45 Gallon Well as I am in the process of thinking about an anenome for my tank I think it is time to upgrade the lighting. Dont flame me for this but I have actually had pretty good success growing some corals under my Marineland reef capable LED. Yea I said it! . Anyways I know that an anenome wont thrive under these lights so I don't know if I should get new LED's or go with a T5 setup. Now I know basically nothing about T5s because I have never considered them but I am open to buying them. http://reefbreeders.com/bridgelux_value.html - Was considering these for LEDs? I am not sure how much SPS I would even want to grow as I am more of an LPS/Softie person. Any feedback on them would be great. As for T5's I am in the dark about them (no pun intended) so any links to some great ones or info in general as to what my needs would be would be much appreciated. The deepest part of my tank is around 18-20 inches below the water surface. Thank you for any and all help!

12/30/2012, 09:35 AM	#2
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	That LED looks like it would create a lot of light separation and would not be pleasant to look at. If you're looking for budget-friendly T5s check out AquaticLife fixtures. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

12/30/2012, 09:52 AM	#5
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	The ATI fixture is a better fixture, but also higher price once you add bulbs to it (the AquaticLife comes with their own brand bulbs, and built in timer). Depends how much money you want to spend. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method. Last edited by Myka; 12/30/2012 at 09:57 AM.

12/30/2012, 09:57 AM	#7
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	Look for a used fixture then and budget money to buy new bulbs for it. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

12/30/2012, 01:18 PM	#11
nanoreefer1000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 1,040	DIY led maybe? __________________ 6 gallon reef

12/30/2012, 09:37 AM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I think that led system would be much better than what you have. As for what size you may look at the 24" model but I'm not sure. I used to have a 45g like 20 years ago, I forget the dimensions but I want to say 36"x13"x21 . A 4x39w ATI Sunpower T5 fixture would be a great choice if you wanted T5.http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/t5-...t-fixture.html

12/30/2012, 09:50 AM	#4
CHG107 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York Posts: 205	Yes sorry those dimensions are correct, forgot to list those! but 36x13x21 is it. Ok so those LEDs are out the window then. Would love to go with them because of the efficiency but cant break the bank on $500+

12/30/2012, 09:55 AM	#6
CHG107 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York Posts: 205	Well I am trying to keep it in the 300-350 range (has to work on college student budget).

12/30/2012, 09:58 AM	#8
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	TEK light is good too if the ATI is too much money. I can't stand the boxy look of the Aquaticlife and the Aquaticlife bulbs aren't as good as ATI but they are better than most cheap bulbs. I prefer a workhorse like the ATI & TEK, no timers & moonlights to go bad. TEK is the best bang for your buck if you hang it over the tank because the legs are pricey, it should be in your budget too. Isn't the 24" reef builders led only a little over $300 ?

12/30/2012, 11:45 AM	#9
CHG107 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York Posts: 205	Have a link to that LED on reef builders?

12/30/2012, 01:16 PM	#10
jason_bradbury Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: new jersey Posts: 45	i have a MH set up..but i think with todays technology led is the way to go (if you have $$)..the bulbs/ diodes? last a long time and by computer you can program them to do all kinds of things..T5 is efficient and they have more of a variety in buld color (red, green) than T8..I personally havent a clue what kinda of light a red and green bulb mimics in nature..anyway, thats my 2cents