Best lighting for deep freshwater tank?

[ali12345]

Hi,
I have a 10ft x 3 x 3ft tank and have not found a satisfactory light for it. I have t8's - not good, metal halide - good but expensive and hot, t5 x 2, LED strips.
I have been told by a shop that t5s will do the trick. What do people think?

 

[strollo22]

T5's will work but I prefer Led's. what kind of fish are in the tank?


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[isde02]

I have h.o. T-5's and Led's and I prefer the led's but it seems like the T-5's are brighter which may be more effective for deeper tanks.

 

[Squirtle919]

you will need proper led light not strips if you want to get a nice strong light. anything using 1w - 3w leds will do, you can buy some cheap ones off ebay 120W ones, I did this and got a marine one but they can change the bulbs around well some suppliers do cant really say as I am in aus, anyways it lights my deep tanks up fine and its a nice solid light.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dimmable-12...215?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416d50a637

^ looks like this.

I have got a t5 ho 96w or something fixture 2 bulbs on a 3ft tall tank also it does light the tank up to the floor but no where near as strong as an led or mh would.

 

[4wheelvfr]

I'm using some led modules from AJMReef and they do the trick on my tank. my tank is 8x4x4 and two modules light it up nicely. I think they are 180 bucks apiece or something like that. Good people to work with too.

 

[rbarn]

100W Ecoxotic cannons
http://www.ecoxotic.com/100-watt-elliptical-cannon-led.html

My system pulls 1amp with everything dimmed down to freshwater levels on a 8' long tank 27" tall using 3x 100w cannons and a set of stunner strips. Sorry dont have any water and fishes pics to show you, still working on that part.

Warning this will cause price shock.....but will pay for themselves in 3 years in electricity and bulb cost savings.

They put out almost no heat when dimmed.

This is full bright at 3amps

And dimmed to about 30% running about 1amp draw

 

[wvance]

I'm using a Hamilton Aruba Sun V series T5 with my 90 (36x18x31). Got at BRS - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hamilton-aruba-sun-v-series-t5-ho-fluorescent-retrofit-with-leds.html It came ready to roll. All I had to do was mount it in the canopy and plug it in to the timer. Not as sexy as ^ (btw, that is awsome rbarn!), but I get alot of light for the $169 price tag.

 

[David R]

If you're prepared to do the research and work then DIY LEDs could be the way to go, you could build them to the right colour and intensity, and use optics to focus the light downwards for better penetration.

 

[4wheelvfr]

If you're prepared to do the research and work then DIY LEDs could be the way to go, you could build them to the right colour and intensity, and use optics to focus the light downwards for better penetration.

If you are mechanically confirmed this is a great option. Choose your own optics, diodes, drivers.....everything to your specs.

 

[brich999]

i wasnt going to mention kessil 32w cuz of price but if 100w ecoxotics... ya the kessil is powerful and good color (6700k)