Frag tank lighting.

[markl]

Need help with lighting a frag tank.The tank is 48x24x12 wondering if i should do t5s to help with heat or metal halides175w?250w? this will be mixed frag tank with good bit of sps.

 

[lilrobb]

That length is perfect for T5s,
I had used them on mine, but had the MHs...

 

[budsreef]

Mark, if the point of the frag tank is to propagate corals for your display then in my opinion you should match your display lighting. That way you can go back and forth without having to worry about shocking them as much.

 

[slayer]

thats a great setup for 8 48inch t5s. if its a frag tank just to grow out frags (and share with me) then use 10ks all round. then you can throw them under 20k's for color when they're the right size...or you could just have some of the lights in the back or front of the tank to run 20ks to bring out the color and have the rest of the tank under 10k's...
or you can just use 50/50 bulbs and get the best of both worlds..
heat and cost will be a lot less then metal halides.. plus all the frags will receive their fair share of the light..

 

[markl]

I looked at the comercial tek t5 fixture like Tim has.Just never messed with t5s before. Not sure if a set up with icecap 660s would be better. Om trying to get great color and groth . but cheapest on my bills as well. Still tossed between lighting for my main tank as well. the only thing I bought for lights is a galaxy dual 250 electronic ballast. If i dont use it I will keep it for later maybe.I thought about Williams t5 8-48" with icecap 660's for my main tank.

 

[william1]

I have 2 icecap 660's with plugs and 8 reflectors plus bulbs, and 16 endcaps. The bulbs need to be replaced soon in the next couple months. all for $300

 

[schwaggs]

I vote 2 MH, 10K on one side and 20K on the other for coloring up...

 

[william1]

You will get good growth with T5's and slamming color. A good calcium reactor will do the rest.

 

[weaglereefer]

You need 2 175w MH with some Iwasaki 15k's.

 

[jaustin]

Diy led! $200-$300

 

[smoothie]

With that length and depth (sweet) go t5's and love it.

 

[markl]

Im trying to keep heat down and cost .I cant make my mind up.I need to have a system up and running real soon. If doing an 8 bulb t5 would you overdrive them or just go with a fixture .Like the commercial Tek?