60 inch lighting set up

[gmpolan]

So i am highly considering going in a different direction as far as my new set up but it seems as though the lighting for a 60 inch tank is very limited.

Tank Dims: 60 x 48 x 48

Whats your suggestion for a lighting set up?

Outer orbit 2 x 250 wit the t5's
Sun supply t5's 8 x 80 t5's or 6 x80 T'5s...

These all seem to be close to 800 to 1000 a range and there has be a cheaper way to light this tank. I honestly wouldnt mind spending upwards of 500 or so but the others are alittle much.

Thanks, GP

 

[brianjfinn]

I'd buy a hood for it and get retro fit kits. You can save some money that way. You'd save even more if you built the hood, but that's more trouble. I built the one for my 20 gallon and it looks half way decent, but I'd never be able to build a nice looking one for a larger tank.

 

[kayakatl]

Any reason not to go to MH hanging pendants?

 

[gmpolan]

Nope no issues with MH's although i know very alittle bout them and the tank is an oceanic and does has what i presume to be a standard canopy.
I did how ever figure out i could stagger 6 t5's x 80 with this set up

http://www.aquacave.com/60-tek-2-t5-retro-kit-br--2-x-80w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-2177.html">http://www.aquacave.com/60-tek-2-t5-retro-kit-br--2-x-80w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-2177.html</a>

and at most it wont be more than 400, any thoughts?
Id just really dont want to spend more than about 500 or so an if i go to mh's im worried ill eventually have to get a chiller but not positive on that

 

[mufret]

Are those dimensions correct (60X 48 X 48)? What are your plans in stocking the tank? Will it be FO, mixed reef, SPS/clams, etc? At 48" in height, you'll have some limitation in what you're going to be able to keep especially if you go with normally driven T5s.

 

[gmpolan]

oh excuse me i listed the demensions wrong, they are 50 x 24 x 24 (oceanic 150) and the tank will be a mixed reef which will consists of all the contents of my current 72 ( small amount of sps, lps, tangs, nem, alot of softies)

 

[gmpolan]

Sorry I haven't picked the tank up yet so the individual keeps giving me wrong measurements. Final dims: 5 feet by 2 by 2
now if I do go mh, what all needs to purchased and is it hard to set up yourself

 

[smoothie]

Here ya go

 

[jennm]

I have a used Current HQI/T5 60" fixture available on consignment. PM if interested. I *believe* they are 150W MH but I can double check that.

Jenn

 

[mcphock]

I'm looking for lighting for a 5' tank too. Only mine is a freshwater planted tank. Not to thread hijack, but any suggestions for that?

 

[gmpolan]

If per say, i wanted to set up my own lighting as far as MH, what all do i need?
Obviously ballast, a reflector, and bulbs but anything else?

 

[weaglereefer]

You may need a socket depending on what the reflector comes with. You might also need wiring, unless the ballast comes with it. You'll have to decide if you want DE or SE, and if you go SE, do you want glass shields to keep fish from splashing the bulb. If you run open top, you'll need hanging hardware, if you run a canopy, you'll need the mounting hardware. You may want actinic supplementation depending on what bulbs you run and the look you want, so there's another set of ballast, bulbs, and endcaps (Workhorse 7 should run plenty of actinics and are cheap.

 

[gmpolan]

Thanks Au, but i after considering cost and the size of the current canopy i am really considering just retro fitting 6 sun tek t'5s in there. Anyone see any issues with this? I just am not so sure how deep the light will penetrate as this is obviously deeper than my exisiting tank.

 

[gmpolan]

So au, if I do decide to go with MH's what size reflector and bulb combo do you think would be appropriate? I looked into the lumanarc elites, etc but most of those appear to big to fit into a canopy

 

[weaglereefer]

I'm looking at the Lumenmax Elites, they're pretty small. Haven't pulled the trigger on them yet, just wanting to make sure they'll work for me. Honestly there are people with a lot more lighting experience than myself, so I'd defer to one of them before telling you what the best setup is.

How deep is the tank? Up to 28" you could overdrive the T5's and get good PAR at the bottom with staggered bulbs.

 

[gmpolan]

Well, since im not getting much feedback, ill try to keep this going...i have found an outer orbit with 3 150s and two t5's for 350 or i could go with this as tim said he would order it for me...

http://www.marinedepot.com/60_Inch_8x80W_Sunlight_Supply_Tek_Light_High_Output_Fluorescent_Lighting_Fixture_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures_for_Aquariums_60_Inch_Fixtures-Sunlight_Supply_Inc-SL2127-FILTFIT5SI-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/60_Inch_8x80W_Sunlight_Supply_Tek_Light_High_Output_Fluorescent_Lighting_Fixture_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures_for_Aquariums_60_Inch_Fixtures-Sunlight_Supply_Inc-SL2127-FILTFIT5SI-vi.html</a>

Thoughts? im not sure if three 150's is gonna be enough par to reach the bottom

 

[gmpolan]

Any thoughts on if a 150 mh will reach the bottom of a two foot tank..?

 

[jennm]

Depends what you're keeping on the bottom.

I still have that Current setup if you're interested.

Jenn

 

[gmpolan]

I am really considering it but just a tough decision....but great price tho