Lighting Help

TDIGUY · 02/27/2014, 11:13 AM

I currently have a 110 Tall tank with the Fluval Accent Full spectrum LED which I have been told will not be the best long term.

I am in the process of setting up my 90RR and looking for lighting suggestions.
I am going to leave the LEDs with the 110 as a FW tank in another room.

I would like something I can program with sunrise and sunset as opposed to on or off but I don't have a huge budget to spend.

I am open to DIY options as well but not sure where to even start looking as there are so many options.

Just want to do it right as well for future flexibility.

thegrun · 02/27/2014, 11:30 AM

What do you plan on keeping in the tank? Is this a fish only, soft coral or full SPS corals, clams, anemones type tank? The requirements vary greatly with the livestock.

TDIGUY · 02/27/2014, 12:24 PM

To start it will be FOWLR but I would like to move towards corals down the road. I have not researched enough into corals yet to know what way I will go.

Just not to sure where to start . Lighting or corals.

I was told my current light would not be sufficient so that is why I am starting to look now. I could potentially use the led for now until I am ready to do corals but then I still need a light for my 110.

Portsie · 02/27/2014, 12:33 PM

I bought a 4 bulb t5 fixture off ebay when I first started my tank. It works ok, but I really wish I had waited, researched more, saved more, and bought a higher quality fixture. I made the noob mistakes and bought a few pieces of equipment early, on the cheap, and am currently in the process of upgrading them one by one. So my advice would be to take some time, figure out what you want to keep, and then get the best fixture you can afford that will support what you want to keep.

thegrun · 02/27/2014, 12:47 PM

Lights are usually the biggest expense when it comes to setting up a tank. Many of us have wasted a lot of money on lights that only performed for the current state of our tank and didn't allow us to move into more light demanding corals in the future, forcing us to make upgrades down the road. If you have any inclination that in the future you may want clams, SPS corals or anemones I would save until I could purchase a top end light and not be stuck with something that no longer meets your needs.

TDIGUY · 02/27/2014, 03:19 PM

That is what I did. I rushed in with my whole setup and I am paying for it already.
I listened to the LFS and bought what they suggested. Did my research after to find out it was almost all wrong.

I am working my way toward a better setup and have most of it ready to go then I will convert what they sold me to a FW tank which it is better suited for.

Lights and building my stand are the last 2 things on my list to start putting it all together and move everything over from the other tank.

any suggestions for places to look for lights to start getting an idea what I am looking at.

TDIGUY · 02/27/2014, 03:29 PM

What would the best light setup be? Something that should cover everything going forward.

And ballpark what am I looking at for price?

Portsie · 02/27/2014, 03:42 PM

I don't think you'll find a consensus on what the best setup is. Some people love metal halides, some swear by LEDs. Lights are the last thing I need to replace on my system and I am probably going to go with an ati t5 fixture. You can get them from 2-8 bulbs, dimmable or not. They range in price from 4-8 hundred.

thegrun · 02/27/2014, 04:34 PM

The upfront costs of LED lighting is the highest, but long term it is the least expensive. With T-5 lights or Metal Halide, the bulbs need to be replaced every 10-12 months or they start to expidite algae growth and at the same time produce less light for your corals. LEDs last 5 years plus, use less electricity and produce a lot less heat which in turn eliminates the need for expensive chillers that are often necessary when using metal halide or T-5 lights. I know they are very expensive, but look into either AquaIlluminations Hydras or Eco Tech Marine Ge lights (you will need two of either fixture to covere your tank).

TDIGUY · 02/27/2014, 08:50 PM

Well Slight change of plans.
Went looking online for a used light and ended up buying a complete system.

125Gal RR dual overflow with 55Gal Sump and stand/canopy
External return pump, berlin skimmer, about 30-40 lbs of rock with some fish, inverts and a couple corals.
A 4 bulb t5 home made fixture and all the extras he had laying around for less than a new light.
I will still need to upgrade the lights down the road but I couldnt pass up the deal.

So the search is now on for how to move an aquarium without losing everything in the process.

I have some reading to do.

From what I remember - Will need to look up correct names later.
Frogspawn, elephant ear, and hammer
Lots of snails and crabs
2-3 shrimp. I saw a skunk and a red one.. I think he said there was a cleaner somewhere in there too.
6 line wraisse
2 chromis
and 1-2 others I just caught a glimpse of

02/27/2014, 11:13 AM	#1
TDIGUY Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	Lighting Help I currently have a 110 Tall tank with the Fluval Accent Full spectrum LED which I have been told will not be the best long term. I am in the process of setting up my 90RR and looking for lighting suggestions. I am going to leave the LEDs with the 110 as a FW tank in another room. I would like something I can program with sunrise and sunset as opposed to on or off but I don't have a huge budget to spend. I am open to DIY options as well but not sure where to even start looking as there are so many options. Just want to do it right as well for future flexibility.

02/27/2014, 12:33 PM	#4
Portsie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 741	I bought a 4 bulb t5 fixture off ebay when I first started my tank. It works ok, but I really wish I had waited, researched more, saved more, and bought a higher quality fixture. I made the noob mistakes and bought a few pieces of equipment early, on the cheap, and am currently in the process of upgrading them one by one. So my advice would be to take some time, figure out what you want to keep, and then get the best fixture you can afford that will support what you want to keep. __________________ 90g corner overflow, 33g sump, Apex, Vertex IN-100, 2x MP-10w ES, 1X MP-40w, Tunze Osmolator, 60lbs Caribsea oolite, 85lbs live rock, 4x54w T5 with LED moonlights

02/27/2014, 03:42 PM	#8
Portsie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 741	I don't think you'll find a consensus on what the best setup is. Some people love metal halides, some swear by LEDs. Lights are the last thing I need to replace on my system and I am probably going to go with an ati t5 fixture. You can get them from 2-8 bulbs, dimmable or not. They range in price from 4-8 hundred. __________________ 90g corner overflow, 33g sump, Apex, Vertex IN-100, 2x MP-10w ES, 1X MP-40w, Tunze Osmolator, 60lbs Caribsea oolite, 85lbs live rock, 4x54w T5 with LED moonlights

02/27/2014, 11:30 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	What do you plan on keeping in the tank? Is this a fish only, soft coral or full SPS corals, clams, anemones type tank? The requirements vary greatly with the livestock.

02/27/2014, 12:24 PM	#3
TDIGUY Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	To start it will be FOWLR but I would like to move towards corals down the road. I have not researched enough into corals yet to know what way I will go. Just not to sure where to start . Lighting or corals. I was told my current light would not be sufficient so that is why I am starting to look now. I could potentially use the led for now until I am ready to do corals but then I still need a light for my 110.

02/27/2014, 12:47 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Lights are usually the biggest expense when it comes to setting up a tank. Many of us have wasted a lot of money on lights that only performed for the current state of our tank and didn't allow us to move into more light demanding corals in the future, forcing us to make upgrades down the road. If you have any inclination that in the future you may want clams, SPS corals or anemones I would save until I could purchase a top end light and not be stuck with something that no longer meets your needs.

02/27/2014, 03:19 PM	#6
TDIGUY Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	That is what I did. I rushed in with my whole setup and I am paying for it already. I listened to the LFS and bought what they suggested. Did my research after to find out it was almost all wrong. I am working my way toward a better setup and have most of it ready to go then I will convert what they sold me to a FW tank which it is better suited for. Lights and building my stand are the last 2 things on my list to start putting it all together and move everything over from the other tank. any suggestions for places to look for lights to start getting an idea what I am looking at.

02/27/2014, 03:29 PM	#7
TDIGUY Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	What would the best light setup be? Something that should cover everything going forward. And ballpark what am I looking at for price?

02/27/2014, 04:34 PM	#9
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The upfront costs of LED lighting is the highest, but long term it is the least expensive. With T-5 lights or Metal Halide, the bulbs need to be replaced every 10-12 months or they start to expidite algae growth and at the same time produce less light for your corals. LEDs last 5 years plus, use less electricity and produce a lot less heat which in turn eliminates the need for expensive chillers that are often necessary when using metal halide or T-5 lights. I know they are very expensive, but look into either AquaIlluminations Hydras or Eco Tech Marine Ge lights (you will need two of either fixture to covere your tank).

02/27/2014, 08:50 PM	#10
TDIGUY Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 59	Well Slight change of plans. Went looking online for a used light and ended up buying a complete system. 125Gal RR dual overflow with 55Gal Sump and stand/canopy External return pump, berlin skimmer, about 30-40 lbs of rock with some fish, inverts and a couple corals. A 4 bulb t5 home made fixture and all the extras he had laying around for less than a new light. I will still need to upgrade the lights down the road but I couldnt pass up the deal. So the search is now on for how to move an aquarium without losing everything in the process. I have some reading to do. From what I remember - Will need to look up correct names later. Frogspawn, elephant ear, and hammer Lots of snails and crabs 2-3 shrimp. I saw a skunk and a red one.. I think he said there was a cleaner somewhere in there too. 6 line wraisse 2 chromis and 1-2 others I just caught a glimpse of