Help light my 300DD

The Punisher · 11/13/2013, 05:50 AM

I'm setting up a 300 Deep Dimension tank (72"×36") and need some ideas for lighting it. I currently have an ATI 8×54w light and wouldn't mind keeping it and adding some LED supplementation around the whole thing. Would something like that work good or should I just invest in another full light? If the LEDs would work what should I go with? Thanks for the help.

standrd250ridr · 11/13/2013, 06:25 AM

A tank that size, I would do 3 400wMH with t5 supplimental

rgulrich · 11/13/2013, 09:42 AM

I'm using three Maxspect R420R (Razors) 160W 16K over my 300 DD mounted perpendicular to the aquarium front. They seem to have a lot of punch...managed to "lighten up" a handful of seriatopora until I lowered the intensity a bit. I figure those with a Kessil or two for supporting Maximas in the sandbed should suffice, and seem to work well for me.

Jr010889 · 11/13/2013, 11:49 AM

So jealous I want one of these tanks for my Next build! I've seen a lot of people use (2) 3' 6-8 bulb fixtures on these tanks and running thm front to back... Seems to work well and if you're a fan of t5's like myself thn tht might be the route to go! Just some food for thought and good luck with your build

RedStangGA · 11/13/2013, 11:55 AM

Yeah, love that tank size too. One day!

Look at the Kessils. Very small footprint in a canopy and will add a great shimmer. Go with the wides and you might only need 2-3 as supplemental to the T-5's. Just my .02's.

ganjero · 11/13/2013, 12:06 PM

When I upgraded I sold my powermodule and lit the 300g DD with 2 large lumebright reflectors and 250w radiums. The corals were growing nicely, I had great coverage and had not issues with heat (no chiller needed, it was an open top without a canopy.)

alton · 11/13/2013, 01:12 PM

I use 3 lumen bright mini reflectors with 250w Radium lamps. For sunrise to sunset I use 6 stunner strips. PAR levels on the sand are 200 to 250 with birds nest and frogspawn doing very well on the sand

KrazyOnetime · 11/13/2013, 01:18 PM

I have a 250DD and have friends with the 300g tanks. IMHO it all depends on budget and what you are wanting in the tank. Is it going to be a "mixed reef", FOWLR or SPS only? For an SPS only tank like mine and many friends I used 4 400w Radiums on my 250 DD and friends w/300DD used 6 400W Radiums/XM 20K's. I now however have 6 LED units over my 250DD w/2 80W T-5's.

Drae · 11/13/2013, 01:26 PM

If I had a 300 DD and could afford a high end lighting system I would choose the 8x80 watt ATI powermodule hybrid and call it a done deal. I honestly think that it's the best light on the market. Better than any full led fixture. Better than any metal halide combo too. I would compare it to 400 watt radiums and vho's without any of the heat and giant reflectors. JMO

duncangweller · 11/13/2013, 01:34 PM

Have a read of this. This is a local reefers tank up north in BC. Its a 300DD and the most impressive tank I have ever seen. I believe he discusses his lighting in the write up.

Dunc

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=101223

h0bite · 11/13/2013, 02:28 PM

ATI Powermodule 10x80w.

Mike S · 11/13/2013, 05:55 PM

My tank is the same dimensions and I'm running two 4x80w ATI fixtures over it. I was originally planning on adding leds between the two fixtures until I took some par readings this week and found that I had 200+ across my sand bed. Unfortunately your current fixture isn't going to give you good coverage along the length of your tank. Adding leds on the end would give you sufficient light but I'd be concerned about the color blending. I'd think that would end up looking odd. I'd personally would ditch your current T5 fixture. There are lots of options out there when it comes to leds, t5s and MH or a combination of those lighting types depending on your budget.

The Punisher · 11/14/2013, 07:44 AM

I got an unbelievable deal on a 10 bulb 5' ATI powermodule, I think I'm going to run with that and see how it works. Thanks for the help and ideas

11/13/2013, 05:50 AM	#1
The Punisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,398	Help light my 300DD I'm setting up a 300 Deep Dimension tank (72"×36") and need some ideas for lighting it. I currently have an ATI 8×54w light and wouldn't mind keeping it and adding some LED supplementation around the whole thing. Would something like that work good or should I just invest in another full light? If the LEDs would work what should I go with? Thanks for the help. __________________ "I look for absolutes and there are absolutely none." 311

11/13/2013, 09:42 AM	#3
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	I'm using three Maxspect R420R (Razors) 160W 16K over my 300 DD mounted perpendicular to the aquarium front. They seem to have a lot of punch...managed to "lighten up" a handful of seriatopora until I lowered the intensity a bit. I figure those with a Kessil or two for supporting Maximas in the sandbed should suffice, and seem to work well for me. __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

11/13/2013, 11:55 AM	#5
RedStangGA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 1,052	Help light my 300DD Yeah, love that tank size too. One day! Look at the Kessils. Very small footprint in a canopy and will add a great shimmer. Go with the wides and you might only need 2-3 as supplemental to the T-5's. Just my .02's. __________________ Marineland 220, Marineland 60 Cube

11/13/2013, 01:18 PM	#8
KrazyOnetime Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland OR. Posts: 223	I have a 250DD and have friends with the 300g tanks. IMHO it all depends on budget and what you are wanting in the tank. Is it going to be a "mixed reef", FOWLR or SPS only? For an SPS only tank like mine and many friends I used 4 400w Radiums on my 250 DD and friends w/300DD used 6 400W Radiums/XM 20K's. I now however have 6 LED units over my 250DD w/2 80W T-5's. __________________ SPS only Marineland DD 250g Reeflo Hammerhead return pump 4-3/4" seaswirls 2MP-40's PM Ca reactor w/SMS-122 SWC 250a skimmer 6-D120LED's 2-80W T-5's BRS dual GFO/Carbon reactor DIY BP reactor

11/14/2013, 07:44 AM	#13
The Punisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,398	I got an unbelievable deal on a 10 bulb 5' ATI powermodule, I think I'm going to run with that and see how it works. Thanks for the help and ideas __________________ "I look for absolutes and there are absolutely none." 311

11/13/2013, 06:25 AM	#2
standrd250ridr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blue Grass, IA Posts: 51	A tank that size, I would do 3 400wMH with t5 supplimental

11/13/2013, 11:49 AM	#4
Jr010889 Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 14	So jealous I want one of these tanks for my Next build! I've seen a lot of people use (2) 3' 6-8 bulb fixtures on these tanks and running thm front to back... Seems to work well and if you're a fan of t5's like myself thn tht might be the route to go! Just some food for thought and good luck with your build

11/13/2013, 12:06 PM	#6
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	When I upgraded I sold my powermodule and lit the 300g DD with 2 large lumebright reflectors and 250w radiums. The corals were growing nicely, I had great coverage and had not issues with heat (no chiller needed, it was an open top without a canopy.)

11/13/2013, 01:12 PM	#7
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I use 3 lumen bright mini reflectors with 250w Radium lamps. For sunrise to sunset I use 6 stunner strips. PAR levels on the sand are 200 to 250 with birds nest and frogspawn doing very well on the sand

11/13/2013, 01:26 PM	#9
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	If I had a 300 DD and could afford a high end lighting system I would choose the 8x80 watt ATI powermodule hybrid and call it a done deal. I honestly think that it's the best light on the market. Better than any full led fixture. Better than any metal halide combo too. I would compare it to 400 watt radiums and vho's without any of the heat and giant reflectors. JMO

11/13/2013, 01:34 PM	#10
duncangweller Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 20	Have a read of this. This is a local reefers tank up north in BC. Its a 300DD and the most impressive tank I have ever seen. I believe he discusses his lighting in the write up. Dunc http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=101223

11/13/2013, 02:28 PM	#11
h0bite Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Posts: 253	ATI Powermodule 10x80w.

11/13/2013, 05:55 PM	#12
Mike S Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 387	My tank is the same dimensions and I'm running two 4x80w ATI fixtures over it. I was originally planning on adding leds between the two fixtures until I took some par readings this week and found that I had 200+ across my sand bed. Unfortunately your current fixture isn't going to give you good coverage along the length of your tank. Adding leds on the end would give you sufficient light but I'd be concerned about the color blending. I'd think that would end up looking odd. I'd personally would ditch your current T5 fixture. There are lots of options out there when it comes to leds, t5s and MH or a combination of those lighting types depending on your budget.