help me light my tank!

[crew]

Ok, I have a unique situation because my tank is a 54 gallon corner.

Lighting is pretty tough because I really don't want to do a pendant MH and I don't have a ton of money to buy one of those lights with MH and T5's

at its widest point my tank is 30" (its actually 38" but it has a brace thing to sit a light on it and its 30") so I figure thats what I will get as a main light, and then something cheaper and much smaller (maybe a nano light) for the back corner

this is what I have found so far, does anyone have any suggestions?

http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/503101/current-usa-dual-satellite-dual-daylight-dual-actinic.html#">http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/503101/current-usa-dual-satellite-dual-daylight-dual-actinic.html#</a>

[IMG]http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/512404/current-usa-nova-extreme-t5ho-x2-10k-460nm-actinic-saltwater.html">http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/512404/current-usa-nova-extreme-t5ho-x2-10k-460nm-actinic-saltwater.html</a>

[IMG]http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/514310/current-usa-sundial-t5ho-10k-460nm-actinic.html">http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/514310/current-usa-sundial-t5ho-10k-460nm-actinic.html</a>

I really like what the Satalite light offers (i think)

I dont know much about reefing yet so im not exactly sure what I need

I want to be able to keep softies and LPS and an anemone possibly, I know the fish will accept much crappier lighting then the coral will so what do I need to get for the animals that actually need it

my tank is 38" X 27" X 22" (I didn't know which one the depth is and I really don't want to walk down 2 flights of stairs to measure it)

the main light I get will be 30" and then a second light for the corner if you suggest it would be like 12" or 20" or something

 

[blind1993]

dont get the t5s unless they are individual reflectors. also that tank is pretty deep so you might want a 70w mh or something.

 

[johnr2604]

Out of the ones you listed the best one would be the sundial t-5 ho with individual reflectors plus it saves you $40 in timers. I am actually cosidering that light for my 40b tank but I am only going to keep softies and LPS in it and use my 30 cube for stricktly SPS

 

[rockdog]

If you are thinking about the T-5s, for a little more (about $75) you could hqve all the light you would need. http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=sunpod_30_150&Category_Code=d5&Product_Count=6">http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=sunpod_30_150&Category_Code=d5&Product_Count=6</a>

Or if you want to Ebay it [IMG]http://cgi.ebay.com/30-380W-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Reef-Light-w-Free-Ship_W0QQitemZ160285234726QQihZ006QQcategoryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">http://cgi.ebay.com/30-380W-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Reef-Light-w-Free-Ship_W0QQitemZ160285234726QQihZ006QQcategoryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a>

You could keep softies,LPS,SPS, and nems with no problems...

Good luck!!

 

[mvm]

Just put USC vs OSU over it, that will light it up!!!:lol2:
Sorry, I couldn't resist!
Why don't you like MH? I would get a 150W MH and some moon lighting.
Do you have a canopy?

 

[johnr2604]

I have to be honest I ran the 150 sunpod on my 30 cube and my SPS didn't like it. My SPS didn't color up or show good growth untill I put a 250 pendant over it. If you do the sunpod I would spend even more and do a 250. Although your LPS and softies would like the 150

 

[johnr2604]

Another thing to think about is you will probably have to change the ballast in that ebay fixture so its going to add cost. Although it listed as a 250 I have read over on RC it is severly underdriven by the stock ballast. People seem to be only getting around 180watts of actual draw on that stock ballast. Most people are putting an icecap on them.

 

[crew]

I realize that my lighting will be the most expensive piece of equipment, and thats ok...

I know that a MH is the best option as far as lighting goes, but I dont want it to heat the room up, I know they produce insane amounts of heat and Im only going to have LPS and softies and a neme so I figured I could get away without a MH

I like the third option I posted, that Ebay item would be great, but i don't really trust Ebay

Could I do a 30" Sundial and then an 18" nova extreme for the corner where its thinner??

 

[william1]

You should do 2 MH kights angled on each side of the brace. That would be cool.

 

[crew]

i like that sunpod mh that was posted, at 150 that shouldnt be very hot right?? and also, I want to be able to see my tank lit for most of the day, I know with MH, this isnt really possible without hurting the fish/coral/neme...

so should I get the MH sunpod and then a smaller PC or something for dawn dusk?

 

[johnr2604]

I dont worry to much about MH's heating up the room. Most of the heat is directed at the water. The sunpod is a good option for what you want to keep and with the water volume you have I would not worry about the water temps either. What is most of the day? I adjust my light cycle for when I will be home. At 150 watts you should be able to have a pretty long cycle

 

[crew]

well if I were to have the sunpod, the light cycle would be...
12AM - 5AM Blue LED's
5AM - 12PM Both LED's
12PM - 10PM MH
10PM - 12AM Both LED's

Would that work?

 

[markl]

put a single 400w mh. i think chrisjet has one for sale for a good price.