just starting 180g reef setup; lighting question...

[kkcrowe]

Hello, everyone. Glad to find the ARC, looks like I will be spending a lot of time here. This 180g will be my first reef tank. My only other sw setup was a 90g FOWLR which eventually turned into a giant magnificent anemone and clown fish tank. The bulk of my experience is with FW as I kept Discus for many years.

I hate to ask a general question, but I keep finding contradicting information regarding my 2 lighting options. This tank is 6'x2'x2' . I am currently waiting for my sump/refugium to be delivered and am narrowing down my lighting options. I have planned to have a mix of corals but know I would like a good number of SPS. I know I will need some intense lighting and am looking at MH's, T-5's, and combos of both.

My specific questions... do any experienced SPS keepers think enough T-5's could provide enough lumens adequate for keeping SPS, or should I consider MH's? I am a big fan of how MH's look (had 14,000K previously), but don't like the heat associated with them and their energy consumption. My LFS says at a 24" high T-5's would allow me to keep most any coral. I have no experience with T-5's. I haven't ruled out LED's, either.

I am considering this.....http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html#">http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html#</a> Any advice pro or con?

Can some of you experienced reefers, knowing what you know now, advise me as to what lighting (MH vs T-5) you would use for this tank if you were setting it up yourself, and why? Remember, I am interested in at least some SPS for this tank, if not SPS dominant (24" height). Thanks in advance for any information.

Glad to meet all of you,

Kevin

 

[ralph atl]

I would do 3, 400 watt 20k MH such as Radiums.

 

[mufret]

I have used both T5s and MH over my 180. Do you have a canopy? If so, retro fitting some T5 into it is a relatively easy process. The most important factor is making sure you get good individual reflectors. Overdriving the bulbs with some Coralvue ballasts (the old IceCap 660) will give you some additional punch for that 24" depth. If you need a fixture, there are a few good 72" fixtures out there (ATI and Aquatinics) that are readily available. The same goes for MH. If you have a canopy, retro fitting some good reflectors (Lumenarc, Lumenmax or Lumenbright) is a relatively easy process. Fixture wise, you won't find too many better than the Maristar (that's what I'm currently using).

 

[kkcrowe]

thanks, folks. I do not have a canopy, although I am considering building one (or having one built). I'll look at your recommendations. I appreciate the information.

Kevin

 

[itsamyheff]

I would go MH or LED if you are going heavy SPS. I am upgrading to LEDs. I run 3- 400 watt MH over a 150. The larger you build the canopy, the better with heat dissipation.My halides are about 15" above the tank, and temp stays around 79-80 degrees.

 

[smoothie]

3x250 14k pheonix with some cheap dark t5 actinics. VHO'S for the actinics if you can fit them in instead. Blue or the newish 454's are niiiice.
If you want to go t5 all the way then look up bigd's setup on here. Not to shabby my friend

 

[kkcrowe]

Smoothie;698744 wrote: 3x250 14k pheonix with some cheap dark t5 actinics. VHO'S for the actinics if you can fit them in instead. Blue or the newish 454's are niiiice.
If you want to go t5 all the way then look up bigd's setup on here. Not to shabby my friend

Can I get your opinion regarding this 72" Maristar HQI combo? I was leaning towards this...

http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html">http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html</a>

I was considering just getting the hanging kit (and thought this might help dissipate some heat, vs. a canopy). I would like to avoid a chiller if possible, do you think a vented canopy with a couple fans could keep a 180g (with the above HQI unit) from requiring a chiller?

I'll try and find bigd's setup on here. Thanks everyone for the help.

Kevin

 

[mph84]

I would suggest staying away from the fixtures if you can. they are great for a plug-n-play tank but if you want to do a sps tank light is your best friend and the "reflectors" that come in the fixtures typically leave a bit to be desired. I run 2 lumenbright mini-wides over my 120(same tank minus 2 feet) and it is pretty awesome!! they get great coverage over the tank and transfer ALL of the light. also if you don't want to build a canopy look into the finished pendants! you just hang em over the tank and call it a day. good luck

 

[smoothie]

kkcrowe;698757 wrote: Can I get your opinion regarding this 72" Maristar HQI combo? I was leaning towards this...

http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html">http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html</a>

I was considering just getting the hanging kit (and thought this might help dissipate some heat, vs. a canopy). I would like to avoid a chiller if possible, do you think a vented canopy with a couple fans could keep a 180g (with the above HQI unit) from requiring a chiller?

I'll try and find bigd's setup on here. Thanks everyone for the help.

Kevin[/QUOTE]
I think that fixture has heat vents on the ends so you would have to modify your canopy accordingly. You could just hang the lights from the ceiling or wall and have no canopy. If you go that route look up acroholic's mesh top thread on here.
If you do want the canopy I would personally go with individual reflectors instead of the fixture as mentioned above

 

[mufret]

kkcrowe;698757 wrote: Can I get your opinion regarding this 72" Maristar HQI combo? I was leaning towards this...

http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html">http://www.aquacave.com/maristar-72-3x250w-hqibr--4x39w-t5-combo-fixturebr-by-sunlight-supply-702.html</a>

I was considering just getting the hanging kit (and thought this might help dissipate some heat, vs. a canopy). I would like to avoid a chiller if possible, do you think a vented canopy with a couple fans could keep a 180g (with the above HQI unit) from requiring a chiller?

I'll try and find bigd's setup on here. Thanks everyone for the help.

Kevin[/QUOTE]

For the money, you won't find many MH fixture with better capabilities. The Maristar is one of the few fixtures that uses an excellent reflector (it's the same reflector that SLS uses in thier Reef Optix III plus). If you are going to use the fixture, skip the canopy. If you want to use a canopy, installing reflectors would be your best bet.

 

[islandreef]

I dont plan on going sps but man this is some great info. I have a 135 but will be using a fixture that I was able to pick up for $100. It has 2 250 watt MH and 2 110 VHO, so I should be good to go.