Quest For The Right Light

Hey guys,

This is my first post here, and I am looking for information on my most challenging learning process of addign a light. My tank is 36 gallons. 30 inches in length, 12 inches wide (not counting the bow), and 18-20 inches deep. The problem is getting a good light that fits on my tank and provides me with the necessary light to keep the basic low-medium light corals.

The lights I like are T5s, yet cannot find a fixture that gives me a good amount of light. The only one is 36 inches of length with 150 some watts. There would be some overhang, but the look does not bother me, its the light given to my tank that counts. I also saw a PC fixture that is the same length but about 50 watts extra. I have heard that T5s are very good, and produce a better light output than many lights. Although some have said different, but I believe T5 is my best option. The bulbs will probably 2 10ks and 2 actinics (sp?) and 3 10ks and 1 actinic. Most like the 2 and 2. I also considered the ballast and reflectors, but I haven't a clue how they work.

Its been a month or so where I have been looking for a fixture to get started with a reef, once I re-arrange my rock to a canyon like theme. Advice on which light I should pick would be great. I have asked many opinions from many different people and I am flooded with info. I figured the more people I ask the more info I can obtain.

 

Metal Halides!!! You can't go wrong and you will never need to upgrade if you decide you want to keep intense light corals. Especially if you are one of those impulse buyers at the LFS...;D

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef!
You will be best suited and successful by researching and reading about the various lighting technologies on the market.
Then determine the kelvin numbers and the color that coincides with that kelvin number that you desire.
Watts per gallon are really, just a guideline IMO, because their are many factors that need to be considered in determining if the WPG is in fact best suited for your corals, fish, inverts and Tridacna clams...
I personally love HQI DE halides, but each person is different and there are pros and cons with each style of lighting.

 

I agree that metal halides are great, but once you get them you almost have to get a chiller. Not only will it be expensive, but the chiller will be hard to fit in the tight spaced area, sicne I only have room for storage and a sump/fuge, and I am not quite ready for it. In the near future however, It will be expected on a new tank.

 

Huum I never had need for a chiller with mine ..Just a couple of the properly sized and aimed fan's and a decient A/Csystem for the house

 

I almost thought it was necessary for most tanks with Metal Hides depending on the size. I keep my heater at 71 degrees, and my tank is normally 78-80. The temperature was like this back in december till present. I wouldn't be sure if it would heat my 36 gallon so much it would be devestating temps. I think my heater is like 150 watts, which is alot for my tank I believe. The T5 fixture I like isn't too expensive, and will do the job well for a while. I can always upgrade in the future. The t5 fixture wouldn't go to waist. I will have other tanks

 

I found a couple fixture other fixtures online. Same size, 36 inches in length, will have a little overhang on the sides but I get more light. Here is one fixture T5 Ocean Light 36", 6 Lamps by AquaMedic* - AquaCave and another TEK LIGHT T-5, 36" Light Fixture 6 x 39W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave. As long as these would fight on my tank properly, and they can be shipped to America, I think it might be a good choice. Yet I have never seen these lights before, and never really heard much about aquacove.

The light output is better 6x39 watts, and I can fit an extra bulb possibilty. Hopefully its not too good to be true... Like many lights I have seen.

 

Lol to good to be true. Anyways, I could go with Metal halides... but i am afraid of needing a chiller, and that is something I cannot afford nor fight anywehre near my tank. There is a 30 inch fixture with a 150 HQI. How efficient would this be it fits, but there aren't any t5s. Even though I could buy a separare T5 to fit behind it. Theres another system that come with t5 and HQI doesn't fit my tank right, becuase its 24 inches, but if the legs can adjust so I can suspend it with the legs. I was given a suggestion to use plastic rain guttering to hold it, but I am not sure if it could hold the weight. However if this overheats my tank, I don't think it would work out.

 

Is your tank in a hot room? If not then go with MH's and hang it from the ceiling. If your tank heats up then run a small cooling fan like a computer fan across the top of the tank. This will take care of the heat. There are some nice 24" MH PC or T-5 combo lights out there.

 

My tank isn't in a hot room. My house is typically cool around 63 degrees right now.

From the ceiling to the very surface of my tank is about 3.5'.

Also, a problem is that the one fixture I am looking at, the 24" T5/HQI combo, it has a width of 15 inches. My tank is only 11 inches wide on the sides, and the bow makes it come out 4 more inches. My tank has about 3.75 inches in the back for space. Except my skimmer is also back there, so when I raise the light, it needs to be 6.5 inches about the surface so it doesn't hit the skimmer. I can make the light reach out more into the bow, since the light is 24 inches and the bow comes out more there. Except would the light reflection on the bow look strange? The fixture gives me a lot of light, so I won't lose much. Lastly my tank is 18 inches in height.

The light has one 150 HQI and 4x24 t5s. Will probably make them most actinic. Thats a lot of light :0 I really could keep a lot in my tank then..