Help with lighting 150 gal cube

lwillis22 · 09/11/2013, 07:53 AM

I am setting up a new 150 gal cube which is 36". It has a canopy that I would like to keep on it that will have the lights hanging fairly close to the water so wondering what lights I can use. I know some, or should I say most, need to be hung high up to get the best spread but there must be an option out there.

thegrun · 09/11/2013, 08:09 AM

The 36" width/depth is going to to make full coverage difficult. For LEDs or MH lighting it would take 4 standard fixtures, although you could make your own LEX fixture to meet your needs. A couple of 36" T-5' fixtures next to each other might be your best bet.

lwillis22 · 09/11/2013, 10:01 AM

Thanks but really would like to do LED's if I could.

thegrun · 09/11/2013, 10:57 AM

The first question I should have asked is what type of a tank is this, fish only, soft corals or SPS corals? I am unaware of any LED currently on the market that would cover a 36" wide footprint with a single fixture with the fixture only 12" or so above the waterline (I assume the canopy to limit the fixture to around 12") and support SPS corals anywhere but in the center of the tank, but for fish only there are LEDs. The new AI Hydra has 80 degree lenses that would cover your tank with a single fixture for fish only and soft corals, but not support SPS except in the middle of the tank.

lwillis22 · 09/11/2013, 12:54 PM

The tank will have corals but not sps. It doesn't need to be one unit, if it takes two that is what I will get. It will have to be more like 4" above the water line. Thanks for your help.

thegrun · 09/11/2013, 01:11 PM

I'm afraid at 4" even two would not work since there would be dark areas the front and back of the tank (or left and right depending upon how you arranged the lights). I would be prepared to need four units, although I would give two a try and see if you are happy with them.

09/11/2013, 07:53 AM	#1
lwillis22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 303	Help with lighting 150 gal cube I am setting up a new 150 gal cube which is 36". It has a canopy that I would like to keep on it that will have the lights hanging fairly close to the water so wondering what lights I can use. I know some, or should I say most, need to be hung high up to get the best spread but there must be an option out there.

09/11/2013, 08:09 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The 36" width/depth is going to to make full coverage difficult. For LEDs or MH lighting it would take 4 standard fixtures, although you could make your own LEX fixture to meet your needs. A couple of 36" T-5' fixtures next to each other might be your best bet.

09/11/2013, 10:01 AM	#3
lwillis22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 303	Thanks but really would like to do LED's if I could.

09/11/2013, 10:57 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The first question I should have asked is what type of a tank is this, fish only, soft corals or SPS corals? I am unaware of any LED currently on the market that would cover a 36" wide footprint with a single fixture with the fixture only 12" or so above the waterline (I assume the canopy to limit the fixture to around 12") and support SPS corals anywhere but in the center of the tank, but for fish only there are LEDs. The new AI Hydra has 80 degree lenses that would cover your tank with a single fixture for fish only and soft corals, but not support SPS except in the middle of the tank.

09/11/2013, 12:54 PM	#5
lwillis22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 303	The tank will have corals but not sps. It doesn't need to be one unit, if it takes two that is what I will get. It will have to be more like 4" above the water line. Thanks for your help.

09/11/2013, 01:11 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I'm afraid at 4" even two would not work since there would be dark areas the front and back of the tank (or left and right depending upon how you arranged the lights). I would be prepared to need four units, although I would give two a try and see if you are happy with them.