Lighting

TaZ976 · 02/26/2014, 01:00 PM

I currently have 36" JBJ fixture that holds dual 10K and actinics at 96w each for my 50g FOWLR. I have a custom built canopy with an opening that allows the light fixture to sit right on top. I'm going to be switching to a new stand which has a standard traditional style canopy. I know I can just rest the light fixture on top of the tank under the canopy but that will be inconvenient for feeding time. I would have to lift the fixture each time I want to feed the fish.

I'm not married to this light and it might be time for an upgrade since I want to keep some newbie corals eventually. Is a retrofit type fixture the best way? That way it can be screwed on to the inside of the canopy and will be out of the way as soon as I open the canopy. I think I might be able to take apart the JBJ fixture I have and set it up as a retrofit if that's the best option.

I have very little experience with lighting and would really appreciate some feedback on the best lighting and the setup that would be most convenient for me.

TaZ976 · 02/26/2014, 06:52 PM

I'm thinking of getting one of these:

Ecoxotic 36 Inch Stunner 18W 12000K White/445nm Royal Blue LED Strip
http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDLK-vi.html

Will one strip be enough for a 50g tank? Right now I have a FOWLR but I want to get newbie corals soon.

twilmot · 02/26/2014, 09:02 PM

You could for sure rig something up to mount them in the canopy. I did this with a T5 fixture I had. I basicly bolted it to the top of the canopy so when I opened it up (it hinged on the top) it would lift up with it. The only thing was it was very heavy to lift open each time (my short wife had an issue lifting it up all the way with the added weight).
As far as the lights you are looking at, Someone else more knowledgeable may be able to chime in but I believe that one would not be enough. I have no experience with them but I believe people use these as more of a suppliment then a whole lighting system. Agian, someone with more knowledge of them can probably answer better, but if it were me I would be looking for a more high powered light.

ReneeF · 02/26/2014, 09:52 PM

I guess the question to ask is what type of corals are you planning to keep? Softies, LPS, or SPS? All of them have very different requirements so it's going to be based on what you'd like to have in the tank.

rustyjames · 02/26/2014, 10:12 PM

What's your budget and what's your preference (led vs. t5)? If you want t5 Reefgeek has the LET retro t5's which are awesome or Reefbreeders has some basic led fixtures that would work well.

cjobo · 02/26/2014, 10:26 PM

I just put a Finnex Ray2 DB (10k + 17k) and a Fugeray (7k daylight + moonlights; mainly for the moonlights) on my 36 bow. The DB by itself is very bright and beautiful; with the Fugeray also on, it's ridiculously bright. And I love the moonlights (wish they incorporated them on the DB). I haven't read a whole lot about them but I think they're great for a budget-minded light.

TaZ976 · 02/27/2014, 11:41 AM

I will be mostly keeping softies and LPS.

Maybe I can do a combination of my existing JBJ power compacts and a stunner LED strip.

02/26/2014, 01:00 PM	#1
TaZ976 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 31	Lighting I currently have 36" JBJ fixture that holds dual 10K and actinics at 96w each for my 50g FOWLR. I have a custom built canopy with an opening that allows the light fixture to sit right on top. I'm going to be switching to a new stand which has a standard traditional style canopy. I know I can just rest the light fixture on top of the tank under the canopy but that will be inconvenient for feeding time. I would have to lift the fixture each time I want to feed the fish. I'm not married to this light and it might be time for an upgrade since I want to keep some newbie corals eventually. Is a retrofit type fixture the best way? That way it can be screwed on to the inside of the canopy and will be out of the way as soon as I open the canopy. I think I might be able to take apart the JBJ fixture I have and set it up as a retrofit if that's the best option. I have very little experience with lighting and would really appreciate some feedback on the best lighting and the setup that would be most convenient for me.

02/26/2014, 09:02 PM	#3
twilmot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 159	You could for sure rig something up to mount them in the canopy. I did this with a T5 fixture I had. I basicly bolted it to the top of the canopy so when I opened it up (it hinged on the top) it would lift up with it. The only thing was it was very heavy to lift open each time (my short wife had an issue lifting it up all the way with the added weight). As far as the lights you are looking at, Someone else more knowledgeable may be able to chime in but I believe that one would not be enough. I have no experience with them but I believe people use these as more of a suppliment then a whole lighting system. Agian, someone with more knowledge of them can probably answer better, but if it were me I would be looking for a more high powered light. __________________ “Yeah I called her up, she gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something, I don’t know, I wasn’t really paying attention.”-Harry Dunne Current Tank Info: 125 gallon

02/26/2014, 10:12 PM	#5
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	What's your budget and what's your preference (led vs. t5)? If you want t5 Reefgeek has the LET retro t5's which are awesome or Reefbreeders has some basic led fixtures that would work well. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

02/26/2014, 10:26 PM	#6
cjobo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CT Posts: 41	I just put a Finnex Ray2 DB (10k + 17k) and a Fugeray (7k daylight + moonlights; mainly for the moonlights) on my 36 bow. The DB by itself is very bright and beautiful; with the Fugeray also on, it's ridiculously bright. And I love the moonlights (wish they incorporated them on the DB). I haven't read a whole lot about them but I think they're great for a budget-minded light. __________________ My tank is small but my plans are HUGE! :)

02/26/2014, 06:52 PM	#2
TaZ976 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 31	I'm thinking of getting one of these: Ecoxotic 36 Inch Stunner 18W 12000K White/445nm Royal Blue LED Strip http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDLK-vi.html Will one strip be enough for a 50g tank? Right now I have a FOWLR but I want to get newbie corals soon.

02/26/2014, 09:52 PM	#4
ReneeF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Boise Posts: 155	I guess the question to ask is what type of corals are you planning to keep? Softies, LPS, or SPS? All of them have very different requirements so it's going to be based on what you'd like to have in the tank.

02/27/2014, 11:41 AM	#7
TaZ976 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 31	I will be mostly keeping softies and LPS. Maybe I can do a combination of my existing JBJ power compacts and a stunner LED strip.