What to do about lighting?

hberickson · 05/09/2013, 06:46 PM

I am completely lost on how I should go about lighting my 46g bow. I plan on keeping lps and some sps.

I recently went to my LFS and talked to a guy named mark who works there. I have bought stuff from him before and he definantly knows his stuff. He recently got four used 48'' T5HO lighting sets that he says is practically new and retails around $700. He's already sold two of them and is asking $250 for them.
I trust that he is giving me a great deal, but my only concern is if i could make a 48'' lighting fixture look good on a 36'' tank?

I was also wondering if I decided to go another route with lighting, would something like this work for a 46g bow? If not, any suggestions?

Ebay links are not allowed~dc

TimeConsumer · 05/09/2013, 07:01 PM

[QUOTE=hberickson;21490675]
I trust that he is giving me a great deal, but my only concern is if i could make a 48'' lighting fixture look good on a 36'' tank?

I was also wondering if I decided to go another route with lighting, would something like this work for a 46g bow? If not, any suggestions?

*Edited*

It depends on what fixture he has, if it is an ATI, then yes that's a good deal. As far as mounting a 4' fixture over a 3' tank, I can't see a way to do it and make it look good. But it makes for a great excuse to upgrade after a year.

I don't like the eBay fixture, you get what you pay for when it comes to T5 lighting.

mikem101 · 05/09/2013, 08:02 PM

I love LED at this point no switching of bulbs less power consumption! and you can get a nice reef breeder LED set up for maybe 100.00 more then what he is selling those for and every 6-12 months you will be spending another 50-100.00 in bulbs all over again. I would take a look at reef breeders set up or even something like the kessil 350W which is 400.00 and you should only need 1.

hberickson · 05/09/2013, 08:14 PM

I really like the idea of LED lighting, but I have heard mixed reviews on them. I also don't know if I can afford a $400 fixture. Any cheaper options that still look great?

codyreed29 · 05/09/2013, 08:22 PM

profanity removed will end up shorting not working and youll end u with a 100 dollar peice of trash if you wanna go with t5 buy yourself a http://www.amazon.com/Nova-Extreme-P...RRENT+USA+T5HO KEEP ANYTHING UNDER THIS/ t have to worry about a cheap timer profanity removed. These run atis jsut like ati fixture ell the ballast arent THE best but will run for ears that oddseyy is a 200k honda ya it run more. do you really wanna risk breaking done. get yourself a new bms 3 series or go to audi and get a new r8 (ati sunpower fixture)http://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-6-Bul...rds=ati+6+bulb dimmable t5ho best ballast yo can buy well wheres the bently fixture LOL.

The nova is your best bet. I bought one of these I think it was a 1973 chevy nova 350 oh yeah sold that and bought an audi.

Your odessy 200 thousand mile honda
Current usa Nova rebuilt engine.
Ati dimmable New audi tt

mikem101 · 05/09/2013, 08:24 PM

check out this website http://www.reefbreeders.com/controll..._fixtures.html they have some nice LED for about 300.00 they only reason i dont like T-5 is cause of that extra 50-100.00 every 6-12 months! Other then that they are a proven and great lighting option. Reef breeder gives you a 2 year USA warrenty i think that product is awesome!

TimeConsumer · 05/09/2013, 08:26 PM

You can try to look for a used MH system on craigslist, ebay, or check your local reef club. Prices on used MH are really low right now so you can get really good deals.

hberickson · 05/09/2013, 08:26 PM

I like the t5 fixture there. That's more in my price range. I'd like to spend less than $300. Any more opinions or confirmation of this fixture being good?

codyreed29 · 05/09/2013, 08:28 PM

Get it Nobosy wants to be seen in a honda.
Everybody likes a nova and a rebuilt 350s pretty cool
*Removed*~dc Audi TT With a big turbo and boost controller.

codyreed29 · 05/09/2013, 08:36 PM

Man a ati sunpower 6 bulb 48 inch on 120 would be so sweet damn my mouth just drolled all on my shirt UH.

I am putting atis in my currents the pro is well good theve been going for a while and you get a two year warranty on the fixtue or is three year cant remmeber but I'm still using it till i get that 120. Cant go wrong with warranty and good reveiw read some review on a odssey you won't like read some on a current pro youll like.

hberickson · 05/09/2013, 08:37 PM

The reefbreeder photon24 looks like a great option. Would this be enough for my 46bow? And which option would be best? 60, 90, or 120 degree?

mikem101 · 05/09/2013, 08:45 PM

well 90 is the standard degree and should be great for you tank. Spread should be fine your tank is 36" long if i remember so this unit should cover your tank with no problem. IMO that would be a great choice!

hberickson · 05/09/2013, 08:57 PM

Okay sounds great to me! Any other opinions on that fixture?

hberickson · 05/09/2013, 10:27 PM

Top

jaynigz · 05/09/2013, 10:31 PM

90 will burn a lot of corals out. I don't recommend it. I had an evergrow D120. THEY ARE STRONG.

Michigan Mike · 05/09/2013, 11:09 PM

Catalina black solar.

Try to contact mango277 on eBay, this is the person selling Catalina lights for cheaper than the actual site itself.

This is better then a nova pro IMO.

hberickson · 05/10/2013, 12:07 AM

I have read reviews and watched videos of the reefbreeder photon24 and I like them alot! My only concern is if they are ideal size for a 36'' tank and will they burn too many corals out (like jaynigz said)?

greg1786 · 05/10/2013, 01:04 AM

In your price range i would say +1 on the nova extreme. I have one over my 125 running geisemann bulbs and i love it. I keep a mixed reef with a lot of sps and can keep sps almost on the sandbed. I have never had trouble leeping anything, anywhere in the tank as far as lighting needs are concerned. The bulbs that come with it arent great but if you switch them with ati bulbs or geisemann itll be very good. If I had a lot of money i would love to have an ati sunpower or a geisemann infinity fixture but if your looking to stay inside 300 bucks and get a quality fixture i think the nova extreme is a great buy. Good luck with whatever you choose !!

mikem101 · 05/10/2013, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hberickson

I have read reviews and watched videos of the reefbreeder photon24 and I like them alot! My only concern is if they are ideal size for a 36'' tank and will they burn too many corals out (like jaynigz said)?

He was saying you would want to go with the 120 degree so you do not get the penetration straight down on your coral. @ 24" wide your spread should be more then enough it comes with a controller if you needed to you can turn down the light but you should be fine.

hberickson · 05/10/2013, 03:58 PM

So what's the general consensus on reefbreeder photon24s? I have seen all good reviews so far. And you guys think I should go with the 120 instead of 90 degrees?

thallone · 05/10/2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hberickson

I have read reviews and watched videos of the reefbreeder photon24 and I like them alot! My only concern is if they are ideal size for a 36'' tank and will they burn too many corals out (like jaynigz said)?

That's the size Reefbreeders recommends. Ans as far as burning up corals, you can adjust them down to 5 or 10% of max light, so as long as you ramp up slow and watch the corals, I can't see how you'd burn corals. Unless you turn them on 100% and leave it without ever checking how your corals react.

BTW, I'll tell you more about what I think after mine shows up, hopefully next week.

hberickson · 05/10/2013, 10:04 PM

Alright sounds fantastic! Thanks!

05/09/2013, 06:46 PM	#1
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	What to do about lighting? I am completely lost on how I should go about lighting my 46g bow. I plan on keeping lps and some sps. I recently went to my LFS and talked to a guy named mark who works there. I have bought stuff from him before and he definantly knows his stuff. He recently got four used 48'' T5HO lighting sets that he says is practically new and retails around $700. He's already sold two of them and is asking $250 for them. I trust that he is giving me a great deal, but my only concern is if i could make a 48'' lighting fixture look good on a 36'' tank? I was also wondering if I decided to go another route with lighting, would something like this work for a 46g bow? If not, any suggestions? Ebay links are not allowed~dc Last edited by dc; 05/19/2013 at 07:33 AM.

05/09/2013, 07:01 PM	#2
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	[QUOTE=hberickson;21490675] I trust that he is giving me a great deal, but my only concern is if i could make a 48'' lighting fixture look good on a 36'' tank? I was also wondering if I decided to go another route with lighting, would something like this work for a 46g bow? If not, any suggestions? Edited It depends on what fixture he has, if it is an ATI, then yes that's a good deal. As far as mounting a 4' fixture over a 3' tank, I can't see a way to do it and make it look good. But it makes for a great excuse to upgrade after a year. I don't like the eBay fixture, you get what you pay for when it comes to T5 lighting. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now. Last edited by dc; 05/19/2013 at 07:34 AM.

05/09/2013, 08:22 PM	#5
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	profanity removed will end up shorting not working and youll end u with a 100 dollar peice of trash if you wanna go with t5 buy yourself a http://www.amazon.com/Nova-Extreme-P...RRENT+USA+T5HO KEEP ANYTHING UNDER THIS/ t have to worry about a cheap timer profanity removed. These run atis jsut like ati fixture ell the ballast arent THE best but will run for ears that oddseyy is a 200k honda ya it run more. do you really wanna risk breaking done. get yourself a new bms 3 series or go to audi and get a new r8 (ati sunpower fixture)http://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-6-Bul...rds=ati+6+bulb dimmable t5ho best ballast yo can buy well wheres the bently fixture LOL. The nova is your best bet. I bought one of these I think it was a 1973 chevy nova 350 oh yeah sold that and bought an audi. Your odessy 200 thousand mile honda Current usa Nova rebuilt engine. Ati dimmable New audi tt Last edited by dc; 05/19/2013 at 07:35 AM. Reason: forgot to explain

05/09/2013, 08:26 PM	#7
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	You can try to look for a used MH system on craigslist, ebay, or check your local reef club. Prices on used MH are really low right now so you can get really good deals. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

05/09/2013, 08:28 PM	#9
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	Get it Nobosy wants to be seen in a honda. Everybody likes a nova and a rebuilt 350s pretty cool Removed~dc Audi TT With a big turbo and boost controller. Last edited by dc; 05/19/2013 at 07:32 AM.

05/09/2013, 08:02 PM	#3
mikem101 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 819	I love LED at this point no switching of bulbs less power consumption! and you can get a nice reef breeder LED set up for maybe 100.00 more then what he is selling those for and every 6-12 months you will be spending another 50-100.00 in bulbs all over again. I would take a look at reef breeders set up or even something like the kessil 350W which is 400.00 and you should only need 1.

05/09/2013, 08:14 PM	#4
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	I really like the idea of LED lighting, but I have heard mixed reviews on them. I also don't know if I can afford a $400 fixture. Any cheaper options that still look great?

05/09/2013, 08:24 PM	#6
mikem101 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 819	check out this website http://www.reefbreeders.com/controll..._fixtures.html they have some nice LED for about 300.00 they only reason i dont like T-5 is cause of that extra 50-100.00 every 6-12 months! Other then that they are a proven and great lighting option. Reef breeder gives you a 2 year USA warrenty i think that product is awesome!

05/09/2013, 08:36 PM	#10
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	Man a ati sunpower 6 bulb 48 inch on 120 would be so sweet damn my mouth just drolled all on my shirt UH. I am putting atis in my currents the pro is well good theve been going for a while and you get a two year warranty on the fixtue or is three year cant remmeber but I'm still using it till i get that 120. Cant go wrong with warranty and good reveiw read some review on a odssey you won't like read some on a current pro youll like.

05/09/2013, 08:37 PM	#11
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	The reefbreeder photon24 looks like a great option. Would this be enough for my 46bow? And which option would be best? 60, 90, or 120 degree?

05/09/2013, 08:45 PM	#12
mikem101 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 819	well 90 is the standard degree and should be great for you tank. Spread should be fine your tank is 36" long if i remember so this unit should cover your tank with no problem. IMO that would be a great choice!

05/09/2013, 08:57 PM	#13
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	Okay sounds great to me! Any other opinions on that fixture?

05/09/2013, 10:27 PM	#14
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	Top

05/09/2013, 10:31 PM	#15
jaynigz Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: St Pete and Orlando Posts: 357	90 will burn a lot of corals out. I don't recommend it. I had an evergrow D120. THEY ARE STRONG.

05/09/2013, 11:09 PM	#16
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Catalina black solar. Try to contact mango277 on eBay, this is the person selling Catalina lights for cheaper than the actual site itself. This is better then a nova pro IMO.

05/10/2013, 12:07 AM	#17
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	I have read reviews and watched videos of the reefbreeder photon24 and I like them alot! My only concern is if they are ideal size for a 36'' tank and will they burn too many corals out (like jaynigz said)?

05/10/2013, 01:04 AM	#18
greg1786 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Baltimore md Posts: 1,241	In your price range i would say +1 on the nova extreme. I have one over my 125 running geisemann bulbs and i love it. I keep a mixed reef with a lot of sps and can keep sps almost on the sandbed. I have never had trouble leeping anything, anywhere in the tank as far as lighting needs are concerned. The bulbs that come with it arent great but if you switch them with ati bulbs or geisemann itll be very good. If I had a lot of money i would love to have an ati sunpower or a geisemann infinity fixture but if your looking to stay inside 300 bucks and get a quality fixture i think the nova extreme is a great buy. Good luck with whatever you choose !!

05/10/2013, 03:58 PM	#20
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	So what's the general consensus on reefbreeder photon24s? I have seen all good reviews so far. And you guys think I should go with the 120 instead of 90 degrees?

05/10/2013, 10:04 PM	#22
hberickson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madison, South Dakota Posts: 107	Alright sounds fantastic! Thanks!