Asking for more lighting advice :)

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by oldfishkeeper, Aug 24, 2012.

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  1. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    Hello All. I currently have a 54 gallon corner tank with no top and a power compact hood with 2 55 watt 50/50's. I would really like to keep an anemone and I know I need more light. What would you all recommend that I could do to add to my current set up to make this work? I'm not a good DIYer and I've been reading about LED lighting and I find all of the terms very confusing. Any and all suggestions appreciated!!
     
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  3. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    You might want to check out the Taotronics LED fixture (sold on eBay). It's a reasonably priced, ready-to-run unit that seems to be getting a lot of good reviews from fellow 3Reefers.

    A 4-lamp T5HO with high-end bulbs like ATI would also support an anemone in that tank.
     
  4. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    I was looking and what about an LED strip light? It looks they are available with mounting hardware that you can put in an existing fixture? Any thoughts on this and/or do you know a reasonably priced place to find them?
     
  5. skurious

    skurious Sailfin Tang

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    Generally any of the led strip lights are just for supplementing exsisting lights for color puprposes. I would go with one of the choices that Mr. Bill suggested too.
     
  6. sailorguy

    sailorguy Torch Coral

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    I believe the strip lights you're referring to are intended for accent lighting,they contain small 1watt leds and lack the intensity that you need for your nem and many other corals.The Taotronics fixtures have the intensity you would need as would the fixtures sold by reef breeders.com.One of the dimmable ones would be best as a 120 fixture at full power could be a little too much for a 54 .
     
  7. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    Whats your budget, but 2 options if you're wanting on the low end are and not a DIYer

    par 30/38bulb from rapidled.com or boostled.com about $70-80 I think. 1 may be enough to start with, but 2 would be better as a supplementation

    or for $200 get reefbreeders.coms value fixture
     
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  9. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    Thank you all for the advice.