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Lighting a 29 g frag tank

seminolecpa

seminolecpa

Past President
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I am thinking that 2 24W overdriven T-5's (run on an icecap ballast) should be sufficient coverage. Would go with a 150W single MH but space and heat may be an issue. The tank is 24"w x 19"d x 14"t.

Do you think this would work or does someone have some other possibilities or thoughts? Space is pretty much limited to 2' long and I have about 9-10" of clearance between the top of the tank and the "ceiling" (the bottom of the shelf above..
 
these look cool at MAX - expensive, but not so much when you add in replacement bulbs over the years that you don't need to buy. No extra heat as well.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/LED_Lighting/AquaIllumination_LED_Light_Systems/24_inch__2x90W_Modular_LED_Light_System_w!_Controller_by_AquaIllumination
 
Apon said:
these look cool at MAX - expensive, but not so much when you add in replacement bulbs over the years that you don't need to buy. No extra heat as well.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/LED_Lighting/AquaIllumination_LED_Light_Systems/24_inch__2x90W_Modular_LED_Light_System_w!_Controller_by_AquaIllumination
Click to expand...
Apon said:
these look cool at MAX - expensive, but not so much when you add in replacement bulbs over the years that you don't need to buy. No extra heat as well.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/LED_Lighting/AquaIllumination_LED_Light_Systems/24_inch__2x90W_Modular_LED_Light_System_w!_Controller_by_AquaIllumination
Click to expand...

Yup, this one is definitely on my wishlist $)

Check out this guy's set-up.
 
Here are the plumbed tanks. Left is a fuge which already has a light, right is the yet to be determined tank

IMG_6087.jpg
 
cwolfus said:
Dude, you definitely need to buy one of these: Canadian Light Source Seriously, we can make it fit with a band saw.
Click to expand...
Why do you want the CLS when you have the ALS right next door?
http://www.als.lbl.gov/


Bryan, for a frag tank where you want to stay in budget, just go with t5. For SPS, I don't think 2x will be enough
 
Really? You think I would need say 4 on a 14" tall tank where the corals will probably be on a frag rack? Was honesly thinking of spending say 200 max if I could get away with it.
 
Bryan I think T5's all the way. You can get away with two, but four would give you max coverage. I've seen alot of people overdrive the bulbs, but what for? So you can change your bulbs out quicker. I ran 8 bulbs with NO single reflectors, crappy fixture, combo of current and geissman bulbs and still achieved awesome color and growth in my 135. That was also with no calcium additives (calcium reactor, kalk, or two part). If it is for your frag tank only go with the cheapest t5 retro kit and some good ati bulbs. Plus in my opinion LED lights are for toy tanks. I have yet to see some eye popping colors come out from those tanks. But I guess expensive equipment helps keep your eye off crappy corals. Just my 2 cents.
 
oops. didn't read overdrive. two OD would work but then you'll need to also keep them cool (fan) and they burn up (iirc) twice is fast for only 50% more light.
 
I was thinking something like this

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/24_inch__4x24W_Tek_2_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply

or this

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/24_inch__2x24W_Tek_2_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply
 
Bryan, you could get a Sunpod for the price of those:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~CU01060~idCategory~FILTFIMHMMMDMLM2~category~20in~vendor~.html

Or this 4 bulb T5 fixture?
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~24_Inch_4x24_Watt_AquaticLife_T5_HO_Light_Fixture_W__2_Lunar_LEDs_24in_Units~vendor~AquaticLife~SearchStr~t5~action~view~idProduct~AK01035~idCategory~FILTFIT54U.html

Or one of these clamp on HQI if heats an issue:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~JB9113~idCategory~FILTFIMHCO~category~Clamp_On-Metal_Halide-Light_Fixtures-Lighting-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html
 
I have two overdriven (IceCap) 24" T5s over my frag tank and have successfully bleached SPS with it, it's more than enough light if you ask me.

Or if you want buy lighting from me, check the BST forum. :)
 
tuberider said:
I have two overdriven (IceCap) 24" T5s over my frag tank and have successfully bleached SPS with it, it's more than enough light if you ask me.

Or if you want buy lighting from me, check the BST forum. :)
Click to expand...


I might just do that. Can I get a personal lighting evaluation with it? If they will work with the space I have I don't see why not. That said if I run my electrical bill up much higher my wife is going to revolt.

Jay Option 2 the 4 bulb HO fixture was another one I was looking at. That might just be the best one for the space and purpose I have in mind. I will admit I know nothing about T-5 lighting as it realtes to usable lighting. I have only used it for supplements at this point. Is one brand better then the others? The nova ones seem pretty reasonably priced too but I don't want to sacrafice quality for cost.
 
If your gonna go cheep/good for the price and are considering T5 I would look at a Nova exteme SLR. You could get the 2 bulb for 68 or the 4 bulb for 149 from Dr Fosters http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+16770&pcatid=16770
 
I think good bulbs (ATI or Korallen Zucht) on a decent ballast will be more than enough. Like Jeremy said, it is very easy to bleach your corals out with T5. People don't understand that these are not just power compacts or VHO. The light seems to penetrate deeper into the water than does metal halide. Look at all the European and Japanese tanks that pop color with T5. I'm not saying they are better than metal halide, but definitely equal to when it comes to coral husbandry. Sorry i sound like such a salesmen, but i remember when i used to have to lie about my setup. There were alot of skeptics 4 years ago.
 
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