Lighting a reef tank using linear fluorescents

[ihaveadane]

Hi to all --

I would love some information and advice on lighting a 125 gallon reef tank using linear fluorescents. I'm trying to do a lot of this my self (instead of buying a "lighting kit) so no detail is too small. The tank is 6' x 1.5' I'm completing my canopy now so I have a lot of flexibility in what I install and how I do it. I have taken into account remote mounting my ballasts & ventilation. (I'll take canopy advice too)

I have access to a lot of Fluorescent parts (linear & compact) Already I have
T5 sockets & ballasts & I have T8 &T12 sockets and T8 & T12 ballasts. Can you recommend lamps (size, color, lumens, CRI) and configuration? I would have loved to use T5's however I'm not sure if they make the lamps reef tanks need in that size. I know that I'll have to include some actinics so let me know what you think about adding those.

Someone told me to shoot for about 5 watts per gallon - so I've been thinking 600 watts -- was that good advice?

Am I just crazy to try to do this without metal halides??

Let me know if you need other info from me or just hit me with what's been working for you.

Just so you know - I'm "Ihaveadane"s sister -- we're using this account so that we can read and share posts in a simple way for us --- She's in charge of the living stuff and I'm mostly in charge of the lighting, canopy and configuration stuff.

I look forward to getting you advice and ideas

 

[frank]

Wish I could give you some advice, but I'm a lighting newbie myself...

However check out the podcast series on lighting from

 

[ms_ k]

I use power compacts on my reef tank..no halides. A lot of people recommend using T-5 bulbs. They should be fine for softies and some LPS, but you may not be able to keep very many species of SPS under fluorescents. Good luck!

 

[showtime305]

I think on a tank that size you should go with T5 and/or Metal Halide lighting. If you go with T5's you will need to use individual reflectors (like the Icecap or Tek brand) to get better light output.

 

[ihaveadane]

Ok --I would love to go with T5's -- can you give me some wattage, lumen, CRI or other input. Do you recomment a place to get them?

 

[slayer]

hi

you can use t5's.... i get mine from sam at aquabuys...hes a sponser of the club.(his stores out in lawrenceville.) You will have to get individual reflectors, ballasts and of course the bulbs. initially the set up cost will be high for either metal halides or t5's. but in the end the t5's will win, as they cost a lot less in electricity to run then the metals. Also you will have less heat given off by the t5's which will keep your tank cooler. The only negative i have towards t5's is that the color output sucks, compared to metal halides with vho's. But many will disagree, its just owner preference...why dont you look at different setups using both types of lighting..Blue planet on jonesboro road uses metal halides. I dont know what the other store in mcdonough uses?? (its next to the walmart)...as for ouput im assuming you mean in kelvins... i use 10k's with actinic supplements.. If you use an icecap ballast on the t5's you can overdrive them (make them produce more light). The lower the kelvin rating the faster the corals grow, but so does nuisance algae. The higher kelvin you go the bluer the light, and less growth.....

 

[wbholwell]

slayer77;32775 wrote: If you use an icecap ballast on the t5's you can overdrive them (make them produce more light).

Slayer, by overdriving them do you reduce the life of the bulbs? Also, how much more light do they put out, and is it worth the reduced bulb life (if it is reduced)?

 

[slayer]

they can be overdriven by up to one and a half times...ie 50% more light depending on the combination of bulb and ballast. Sanjay joshis website has the table to plug in your different light bulb and ballast combo, and seeing the effect on output (par). I'll have to find it..On the down side you are right, it reduces light bulb lifespan, but you are recieving more light, for the same amount of electricity used and dont need additional fixtures. an average t5 bulb costs around $20. You might have to replace it 2-4 months earlier, but you've saved all that money in electricity...i think it would make up for it..