Aquarium lighting help

gyannakoul · 03/16/2015, 11:01 AM

Hello everyone.......need some advice from experienced reefers. I have a 46 gallon bow front aquarium (dimensions 36" x 12"--18" ) that I am starting UP---it just completed the cycling stage. I am at the point of getting lights right now and have encountered a roadblock. I am considering 3 options due to affordability issues. One option is 2 Kessil A160 we's, the next option is 2 AI Hydra 26's and the third option is the ATI sunpower 36" 4 X 39 watt T5 fixture. I realize that all three of these would make my tank look nice but what I would like to know is which of these three options would work for sps corals (Hopefully from someone's experience). It is an expensive purchase and I want to do it right the first time. Thanks

Docdiggy · 03/16/2015, 01:55 PM

I have a 4 bulb sunpower over my 75. I like it and have had great growth. I also have 72w of Leds for supplemental lighting. Adds some pop.

Pife · 03/16/2015, 02:11 PM

They all will work.

gyannakoul · 03/16/2015, 05:06 PM

O.K. Thanks everyone. I think I will go with the Kessil's as I can expand my system by adding more modules later on if I decide to get a bigger tank.

Mustang67 · 03/16/2015, 06:40 PM

I have T5 retro fits with Radion G3's... It looks great. I think adding T5's is the way to go and it fills the gap. Greatly reduces shading concerns. Adding T5's to Kessil's, Hydras.. etc is not a significant cost.

gyannakoul · 03/17/2015, 12:14 AM

Do you have a pic of your setup with the T5 retrofits and Go Radions?

Mustang67 · 03/17/2015, 05:50 PM

I will post them tomorrow. Just finished the install now just doing some wire maintenance.

gyannakoul · 03/18/2015, 12:55 AM

O.K. Can't wait to see them

Mustang67 · 03/18/2015, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gyannakoul

Do you have a pic of your setup with the T5 retrofits and Go Radions?

Here is the configuration.
Marineland Monterey Canopy for a 300G DT.
Modified with 8x T5 Retrofit kits from BRS
5 X Radion G3's

I added another strip of wood and secured it to the Canopy so I could mount the G3's to the canopy with custom brackets. Its so bright that I may be able to use this at the Airport and assist in a few landings

And here is my build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2467347

Docdiggy · 03/18/2015, 06:29 PM

That's incredible.

Mustang67 · 03/18/2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docdiggy

That's incredible.

Its so bright if I were a fish I would hide in a cave. I can actually see dust in the air.

Docdiggy · 03/19/2015, 04:22 AM

Lol

kniquy · 03/19/2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docdiggy

I have a 4 bulb sunpower over my 75. I like it and have had great growth. I also have 72w of Leds for supplemental lighting. Adds some pop.

Docdiggity -- i have a 75 as well and a 6 bulb T5's i also want to add LED's -- just wondering what you went with for your LED and what color bulbs do you have for your T5's and what did you choose for your LED color.

I am guessing the LED's are more for pop of color vs growth of corals, but maybe im wrong

Docdiggy · 03/19/2015, 10:05 AM

Pm sent

03/16/2015, 11:01 AM	#1
gyannakoul Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 40	Aquarium lighting help Hello everyone.......need some advice from experienced reefers. I have a 46 gallon bow front aquarium (dimensions 36" x 12"--18" ) that I am starting UP---it just completed the cycling stage. I am at the point of getting lights right now and have encountered a roadblock. I am considering 3 options due to affordability issues. One option is 2 Kessil A160 we's, the next option is 2 AI Hydra 26's and the third option is the ATI sunpower 36" 4 X 39 watt T5 fixture. I realize that all three of these would make my tank look nice but what I would like to know is which of these three options would work for sps corals (Hopefully from someone's experience). It is an expensive purchase and I want to do it right the first time. Thanks

03/16/2015, 02:11 PM	#3
Pife Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 7,408	They all will work. __________________ Brandon I'm not saying let's get rid of all the stupid people.* I'm just saying let's remove all the warning labels and let the problem work itself out. Current Tank Info: 150g DT plumbed to an 80g frag tank and 220g sump in the basement. ~6-MP40s ~ 12 ATI powered t5s ~ Reefbrites and Radions supplementing ~ Custom GEO Skimmer ~ GEO CA Reactor 6x24~ Iwaki 70 Return ~

03/16/2015, 01:55 PM	#2
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	I have a 4 bulb sunpower over my 75. I like it and have had great growth. I also have 72w of Leds for supplemental lighting. Adds some pop.

03/16/2015, 05:06 PM	#4
gyannakoul Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 40	O.K. Thanks everyone. I think I will go with the Kessil's as I can expand my system by adding more modules later on if I decide to get a bigger tank.

03/16/2015, 06:40 PM	#5
Mustang67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 245	I have T5 retro fits with Radion G3's... It looks great. I think adding T5's is the way to go and it fills the gap. Greatly reduces shading concerns. Adding T5's to Kessil's, Hydras.. etc is not a significant cost.

03/17/2015, 12:14 AM	#6
gyannakoul Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 40	Do you have a pic of your setup with the T5 retrofits and Go Radions?

03/17/2015, 05:50 PM	#7
Mustang67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 245	I will post them tomorrow. Just finished the install now just doing some wire maintenance.

03/18/2015, 12:55 AM	#8
gyannakoul Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 40	O.K. Can't wait to see them

03/18/2015, 06:29 PM	#10
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	That's incredible.

03/19/2015, 04:22 AM	#12
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	Lol

03/19/2015, 10:05 AM	#14
Docdiggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 645	Pm sent