Lighting

PirateToast · 12/23/2013, 12:09 PM

So as I keep building out my first tank, I have a question about lighting.

I want some sort of lighting that I can use in conjunction with this tank. My main issue, is that I really need the hood to be kept on, as I have a cat who is too curious for her own good (she's eaten a betta before). However, I want something kind of cool, like an LED that can switch between blue/white lights.

I'm not super concerned about power usage and I don't have any particular plans about what types of corals I will keep.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Have you seen any retrofits of the smaller LED pieces into hoods? Am I missing anything that I should be thinking about?

whosurcaddie · 12/23/2013, 12:43 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_U...FILDTN-vi.html

There are kits like this that can be retrofitted into a canopy but you would need to measure the area where you are going to mount so you get the right size fixture. Another option is to buy a different canopy. A larger canopy can house anything you want.

One more note did you want a sump in your system there are no overflows in that tank so you would either have to drill it or get it drilled or you could add a hang on back overflow. Reason being the equipment you can add to a sump instead of hang on back type equipment is much more efficient and can give you a much cleaner look.

PirateToast · 12/23/2013, 02:12 PM

Yeah, I've been thinking about sumps a bit lately. My plan was to get a couple clown fish, a CUC, and re-evaluate my situation. I would like to add a sump eventually, preferably a drilled one. However, that's just not in the cards right now, but it is in the near future.

(I already have the tank and it is nearly cycled.)

Those lights look interesting, I'll have to check those out. The rim on the tank is divided into two 23 inch spaces. Will two 12 inch strips be enough for a 60 gallon tank?

cidbozek · 12/23/2013, 02:35 PM

for whats its worth, If your planning on drilling for a sump, do it now or you be in my boat with to much set in stone inside the tank to tear it down to drill.

PirateToast · 12/23/2013, 02:41 PM

Can't I just lower my water level down a little bit when I'm ready to drill?

whosurcaddie · 12/23/2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirateToast

Can't I just lower my water level down a little bit when I'm ready to drill?

Well you drill from the bottom for an overflow. But you can get a hang on back overflow like this.
http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html

I don't think two twelve inch strips would be enough light. Just an example on my tank I have 8 48" led reef bars. like this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/300959720130...84.m1423.l2649
Not saying you need 8 fixtures but You want your corals to thrive.

You want 100 par at your sand bed. I really think your best option is to buy a new canopy or build one there are a lot of DIY canopy builds out there that aren't hard at all. Then you could add whatever lighting you want.

PirateToast · 12/23/2013, 04:27 PM

How big is your tank?

I guess I was looking at those kits from glass holes. Those are drilled but on the back? Not the bottom? I just barely have started researching sumps though.

whosurcaddie · 12/23/2013, 11:34 PM

My tank is 120 gallons. I think this would work for you.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-X-ReefBar-...item46127060d9

Mounting to the top of the tank.

BlindZide · 12/24/2013, 05:27 AM

You could also go with a T5 setup and still get some decent growth from corals. I run a 4 Bulb T5 with DD bulbs and love the way it looks and my corals love it. You might also want to look at a different top for the tank. Maybe some glass lids.

As far as overflow. I use a HoB CPR CS50 for my 75g and have had NO issues what so ever. Love that thing.

PirateToast · 12/24/2013, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the info. That CPR CS50 looks like a solid option, I will definitely check it out soon.

The lights seem so complicated to me.

BlindZide · 12/24/2013, 10:19 AM

Lights can be overwhelming. You gotta try and not make it so difficult. LEDs have great spectrum and low power consumption and low heat but cost a decent amount of dough.

T5s are tried and true. Depending on reflectors and bulbs you can keep almost anything. May have heat issues though.

MH I have no experience with but from what I have read can also be used very effectively. Produces more heat than T5.

IslandCrow · 12/24/2013, 02:01 PM

Yeah, once the tank is set up, you'd really have to tear it down completely to add a drilled overflow. It's unlikely you'd be able to pull it off otherwise. As for HOB (hang on the back) overflows, I'd highly recommend the Life Reef system. It's expensive, but I think they're still the best constructed overflows out there. I used one for about 4 years, and it was flawless.

whosurcaddie · 12/24/2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandCrow

Yeah, once the tank is set up, you'd really have to tear it down completely to add a drilled overflow. It's unlikely you'd be able to pull it off otherwise. As for HOB (hang on the back) overflows, I'd highly recommend the Life Reef system. It's expensive, but I think they're still the best constructed overflows out there. I used one for about 4 years, and it was flawless.

+1 on the lifereef

12/23/2013, 12:09 PM	#1
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	Lighting So as I keep building out my first tank, I have a question about lighting. I want some sort of lighting that I can use in conjunction with this tank. My main issue, is that I really need the hood to be kept on, as I have a cat who is too curious for her own good (she's eaten a betta before). However, I want something kind of cool, like an LED that can switch between blue/white lights. I'm not super concerned about power usage and I don't have any particular plans about what types of corals I will keep. Does anyone have any recommendations? Have you seen any retrofits of the smaller LED pieces into hoods? Am I missing anything that I should be thinking about?

12/24/2013, 05:27 AM	#9
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	You could also go with a T5 setup and still get some decent growth from corals. I run a 4 Bulb T5 with DD bulbs and love the way it looks and my corals love it. You might also want to look at a different top for the tank. Maybe some glass lids. As far as overflow. I use a HoB CPR CS50 for my 75g and have had NO issues what so ever. Love that thing. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

12/24/2013, 10:19 AM	#11
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	Lights can be overwhelming. You gotta try and not make it so difficult. LEDs have great spectrum and low power consumption and low heat but cost a decent amount of dough. T5s are tried and true. Depending on reflectors and bulbs you can keep almost anything. May have heat issues though. MH I have no experience with but from what I have read can also be used very effectively. Produces more heat than T5. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

12/24/2013, 02:01 PM	#12
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Yeah, once the tank is set up, you'd really have to tear it down completely to add a drilled overflow. It's unlikely you'd be able to pull it off otherwise. As for HOB (hang on the back) overflows, I'd highly recommend the Life Reef system. It's expensive, but I think they're still the best constructed overflows out there. I used one for about 4 years, and it was flawless. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

12/23/2013, 12:43 PM	#2
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_U...FILDTN-vi.html There are kits like this that can be retrofitted into a canopy but you would need to measure the area where you are going to mount so you get the right size fixture. Another option is to buy a different canopy. A larger canopy can house anything you want. One more note did you want a sump in your system there are no overflows in that tank so you would either have to drill it or get it drilled or you could add a hang on back overflow. Reason being the equipment you can add to a sump instead of hang on back type equipment is much more efficient and can give you a much cleaner look.

12/23/2013, 02:12 PM	#3
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	Yeah, I've been thinking about sumps a bit lately. My plan was to get a couple clown fish, a CUC, and re-evaluate my situation. I would like to add a sump eventually, preferably a drilled one. However, that's just not in the cards right now, but it is in the near future. (I already have the tank and it is nearly cycled.) Those lights look interesting, I'll have to check those out. The rim on the tank is divided into two 23 inch spaces. Will two 12 inch strips be enough for a 60 gallon tank?

12/23/2013, 02:35 PM	#4
cidbozek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 274	for whats its worth, If your planning on drilling for a sump, do it now or you be in my boat with to much set in stone inside the tank to tear it down to drill.

12/23/2013, 02:41 PM	#5
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	Can't I just lower my water level down a little bit when I'm ready to drill?

12/23/2013, 04:27 PM	#7
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	How big is your tank? I guess I was looking at those kits from glass holes. Those are drilled but on the back? Not the bottom? I just barely have started researching sumps though.

12/23/2013, 11:34 PM	#8
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	My tank is 120 gallons. I think this would work for you. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-X-ReefBar-...item46127060d9 Mounting to the top of the tank.

12/24/2013, 09:15 AM	#10
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	Thanks for the info. That CPR CS50 looks like a solid option, I will definitely check it out soon. The lights seem so complicated to me.