lighting for cube tank advice

[jwilliams860]

so im going to be starting a cube project, its 24"x24"x18tall, im torn as to what lights to go with, i have enough parts laying around to either do a single 150 MH or a 250 MH, or i was thinking of a 24" ATI Powermodule or one of the new Maxspec LED arrays.

T5 or LED would be new to me, i have never had any t5s, or LED fixtures, I know LED stuff is new and not much known about it per say.

The tank is mainly to house 2 picasso clowns, maybe a couple other fish, anenome, and few misc corals here and there, not SPS heavy, mainly LPS.

If I go with Powermodule, would the 6 bulb 24" be enough or should i do the 8 bulb, it comes down to budget at that point.

Any advice or pics of the same tank with powermodules on it?

Ive seen a few with the LEDS and like the overall look.

[SPS_77493]

I used to run a 150 MH Sunpod (24" version fixture) on my 24" cube.

Since your tank is only 18" tall, T5 would be a good choice. If you go with MH, I think 150 MH DE would be more than enough.

[Reef Lurker]

Originally Posted by jwilliams860

so im going to be starting a cube project, its 24"x24"x18tall, im torn as to what lights to go with, i have enough parts laying around to either do a single 150 MH or a 250 MH, or i was thinking of a 24" ATI Powermodule or one of the new Maxspec LED arrays.

T5 or LED would be new to me, i have never had any t5s, or LED fixtures, I know LED stuff is new and not much known about it per say.

The tank is mainly to house 2 picasso clowns, maybe a couple other fish, anenome, and few misc corals here and there, not SPS heavy, mainly LPS.

If I go with Powermodule, would the 6 bulb 24" be enough or should i do the 8 bulb, it comes down to budget at that point.

Any advice or pics of the same tank with powermodules on it?

Ive seen a few with the LEDS and like the overall look.

I am pretty sure Current has discontinued their MH SunPod Fixtures. The Nova Extreme Pro makes a 20" fixture with 6 T5 bulbs at 36 watts a pop and nanotuners now sells the 18" T5 replacement bulbs at nice price. If that isnt an option then maybe consider LED? I have read many positive results with LED lighting. Petsolutions sells Stunner strips and Panorama strips that would make an easy DIY LED build, there is also nice video showing how. They are costly, but they last 10 years at 10 hrs a day, less watts and less heat. T5 and MH have to be replaced every 12 months, as you already know.

[jwilliams860]

Originally Posted by Reef Lurker

I am pretty sure Current has discontinued their MH SunPod Fixtures. The Nova Extreme Pro makes a 20" fixture with 6 T5 bulbs at 36 watts a pop and nanotuners now sells the 18" T5 replacement bulbs at nice price. If that isnt an option then maybe consider LED? I have read many positive results with LED lighting. Petsolutions sells Stunner strips and Panorama strips that would make an easy DIY LED build, there is also nice video showing how. They are costly, but they last 10 years at 10 hrs a day, less watts and less heat. T5 and MH have to be replaced every 12 months, as you already know.

Yeah, im just torn, i have the stuff to do halides, and was leaning towards a ATI powermodule if i go T5 just not sure between the 6 or 8 bulb version, most likely the 6 bulb, and if i go LED maybe the Maxspec g2-160w

[monopolyman]

go the LED route, there is plenty of info out there about it and you will not be disappointed with the results. I built a fixture for my 55 and it was hands down the best option out there as far as lighting. Oh and the part were you won't have to change a bulb for 10,000 hours is a major + as well

[jwilliams860]

Im leaning towards the ATI powermodule just not sure if 6 or 8 bulb would be best.

[Johnny C]

An eight-bulb PM will literally fry your LPS over that tank... 4 or 6 will be more than enough.

[jwilliams860]

Originally Posted by Johnny C

An eight-bulb PM will literally fry your LPS over that tank... 4 or 6 will be more than enough.

yeah thats what i was thinking also, i was leaning towards the 6