Lighting help...need advice

[chicagoman_35]

I have this F/S

 

[stroid]

chicagoman_35;30224 wrote: I have this F/S
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3540">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3540</a>[/QUOTE]
question how would I even put that on my tank?

 

[stroid]

mufret;30216 wrote: That is not really a very efficient or effective fixture! It uses a single reflector which does not take advantage of the T5 lamps. Look into a fixture that has individual reflectors like the Sunlight Supply Tek fixtures are build a canopy and get a retro kit. We have some great sponsors that offer these items as well as an ongoing power buy.

well the power buy seems to be a bit more then I can really afford to pay...i dont want to pay less though and get something that wont support what I want to raise in my tank. If need be I will pay more to get better equipment I have learned my lesson from trying to save a buck. How difficult is it to build a custom hood? The whole idea of buying an all in one fixture was because of my lack of knowledge with building hoods/wiring...etc...
Also is buying the T5 i listed earlier then buying reflectors for them a good idea?

 

[chicagoman_35]

Mine would be a retro fit into a canopy... You only need a single 250 at best... I could cut ya a deal on one ballast/bulb/socket with the reflector...

 

[stroid]

chicagoman_35;30246 wrote: Mine would be a retro fit into a canopy... You only need a single 250 at best... I could cut ya a deal on one ballast/bulb/socket with the reflector...

that might work I sent you a PM...would I still need actinics

 

[frewl]

If that fixture is anything like my finnex fixture there aren't any stand offs you would need to get those the end caps clip into the reflector. I was looking at the specs on the retros you might be able to squeeze 4 in there. but then you just might want to go with 3. but it also depends on how high off you want to go with the lights you might try to sqeeze in everything and just have a few shadows and squeeze in the four above everything. My suggestion to you is to measure everything. Make out a solid plan and ythen redo that plan atleast 2 times on paper untill you find that it will work for you. But then I would take exact measurements of everything like the height of skimmer and and how much it protrudes in the tank. and then figure out the canopy you want to make for it and then the lights. I know that's alot of planning but then you won't make yourself buy a fixture that you are going to tear up and void warrenty. I'm not sure the retro's do or not but then there has got to be something.

 

[showtime305]

Stroid;30249 wrote: that might work I sent you a PM...would I still need actinics

<span style="color: black;">You won't need actinic supplements if you use a 14k bulb (usually pure white light with a hint of blue) or 20k bulb (more blue than the 14k, but provides less par to your tank). </span>
<span style="color: black;"> </span>
<span style="color: black;">Considering that your tank is only 16" deep, the 20k would provide more than enough light for the coral you are keeping at the moment. If you choose to keep sps corals or clams, you can get away with the 20k, but a 14k would be better.</span>

 

[stroid]

well I am sure I can build a fan into the hood or instal a fan on the side or something....I just want a nice light for my corals and my GBTA I am totaly willing to do some work to get it. Thanks for the advice everyone more suggestions are always welcomed.

 

[chicagoman_35]

Agree...

 

[maveri9720]

I agree, 14k's don't need supplementation. I am running 2 14k's on my tank, along with 2 URI 110w VHO Super Actinics and I can notice a difference when I turn the VHO's off and on, but not a significant difference.

I also agree with the heating being an issue.

250w MH is alot for a 29g, so unless you have it way off of the water, or have a properly vented hood with fans, you are going to have high temps.

I think T5 would be a good way to go, unless you can find a deal on a 175 or even a 150 used MH set-up. That way, heat shouldn't be an issue and then you won't have any limits as to what you can keep.

Good to know you have already realized the importance of buying right the first time. I try to stress this alot to people I talk to. In the end, it saves you money, time and undue stress.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[stroid]

Yeah I want to do it right from the beginning...i would be more then willing to put plenty of fans in the hood for heat control. Man you think youve learned a lot in this hobby to only find out you know nothing lol

 

[stroid]

Aquaticco;30366 wrote: 70 watt halide systems are also available.

Doug

yeah I saw a 70 watt halide system on aquabuys website but I didnt know if it would support all or most sps. Does wattage only make a difference when you have a bigger tank for more penetration through the water? Am I understand that correctly?

 

[stroid]

http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=70w_mh_retrofit&Category_Code=d9&Product_Count=2">http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=70w_mh_retrofit&Category_Code=d9&Product_Count=2</a> this one to be exact
or do you get this one
[IMG]http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=pf_175_mh_retrofit&Category_Code=d6&Product_Count=8">http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=pf_175_mh_retrofit&Category_Code=d6&Product_Count=8</a>
or do you get this one
[IMG]http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=pf_250w_mh_retrofit&Category_Code=d6&Product_Count=6">http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=pf_250w_mh_retrofit&Category_Code=d6&Product_Count=6</a>

 

[showtime305]

You should stick with 150w or higher over that tank.

 

[jgoal55]

I agree with Stroid....the T-5s from Dr. F&S are what I put on my tank and the corals are doing amazingly well....they have opened up beautifully.....

Also, they have reflectors built in, they are decent looking as far as mounting lights go, and they have built in moonlight LEDs and a fan (that you probably wont need but its there).

I think it's a great deal and they make my tank look amazing and the are in your price range.....gluck.

 

[dbm5557]

I spent a lot of time researching lights for my old 29g. I ended up deciding to use this one...

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_advancedhang.htm">http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_advancedhang.htm</a>

I bought a 46g before I set up the 29g but I think that this fixture with a 14k bulb should be what you need to keep any corals as long as you try to keep the real high light requirement ones up higher. The thing I really liked about this fixture is that you do not have to build your own canapy to house it and it is not "boxed" in so it should make cooling it easier. I wonder if anyone here has used this fixture?

 

[mufret]

mufret;30216 wrote: That is not really a very efficient or effective fixture! It uses a single reflector which does not take advantage of the T5 lamps. Look into a fixture that has individual reflectors like the Sunlight Supply Tek fixtures are build a canopy and get a retro kit. We have some great sponsors that offer these items as well as an ongoing power buy.

My post was not meant to "slam" this fixture as it is well built and is certainly better than many on the market. What I was trying to convey was the fact that it did not come with the individual reflectors that make the T5s as effective as MH. I do think this fixture is a step up from PC but you might not be able to keep a clam on the sand bed or a light hungry acro in the bottom 1/3 of the tank. If the goal is to be able to keep any type of livestock, anywhere in the tank, look for a fixture that has the individual reflectors or MH. If the goal is to keep mostly softies, LPS and some SPS, this fixture should be capable of handling that.

 

[stroid]

thanks Mufret for the further explanation I am still up in the air but I think MH might be the way to go. There are a few people selling equipment on the ARC that may do the trick. Not to decided on how to make a canopy.

 

[reeferjw]

mufret;30445 wrote: My post was not meant to "slam" this fixture as it is well built and is certainly better than many on the market. What I was trying to convey was the fact that it did not come with the individual reflectors that make the T5s as effective as MH. I do think this fixture is a step up from PC but you might not be able to keep a clam on the sand bed or a light hungry acro in the bottom 1/3 of the tank. If the goal is to be able to keep any type of livestock, anywhere in the tank, look for a fixture that has the individual reflectors or MH. If the goal is to keep mostly softies, LPS and some SPS, this fixture should be capable of handling that.

I didn't take that as a slam either... it is good info, from my perspective, for a few extra bucks that is a more efficient light. Thanks mufret.

 

[stroid]

I think I am going to go with 250w MH with an icecap into a custom built canopy sorta like the one you built. Gonna probably work on the canopy this weekend....sucsk taht I am awful at building things.