saltwater lighting
- Thread starter ndub10
- Start date
http://www.aquacave.com/TEK-LIGHT-T...x-24W-lamps-by-Sunlight-Supply-P640C1051.aspx
That will support anything you decide to put in that tank.
I recommend ATI bulbs. 2 whites and 2 blues.
That will support anything you decide to put in that tank.
I recommend ATI bulbs. 2 whites and 2 blues.
4 T5HO fixtures will do.
if you're just keeping LR initially, you can get away with running 1 or 2 bulbs to sustain any coralline algae to save energy.
I would do 2 at least to get an actinic and a daylight or whatever non actinic bulb.
if you're just keeping LR initially, you can get away with running 1 or 2 bulbs to sustain any coralline algae to save energy.
I would do 2 at least to get an actinic and a daylight or whatever non actinic bulb.
TaoTronics Aquarium Coral Reef Tank White Blue LED Lamb Grow Light 120W
Have seen these in person and they are great lights, this is what I will be buying for my salt water tank after I get my new fresh water tank setup
http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Aquarium-Coral-White-Light/dp/B0058RXPOS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Here is one place you can look at them but look at other places also for some good deals.
Have seen these in person and they are great lights, this is what I will be buying for my salt water tank after I get my new fresh water tank setup
http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Aquarium-Coral-White-Light/dp/B0058RXPOS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Here is one place you can look at them but look at other places also for some good deals.
I run 3 LED boxes on my current build. My tank is 6' wide though. For a 30" wide tank that is not that deep, I would prob stick with something more bullet proof and entry level, hence the T5s. Heat and energy consumption will not be that relevant with a T5 that small.
Big Country-- How deep is your tank top to bottom? what lights do you have personally? Do you think your LED setup would be good to go through 3 feet of water? I have a 36inch deep tank 
Thought- led system lasts allot longer 50,000 hours , I mean most bulbs they say change yearly or even less, I would bet most people do 1.5-2 years unless you want to make sure your coral grows (and if I invested a bit in my stuff its worth it) then you replace sooner. Led system lasts about 10-12 years 150.00 cost, Dual T5 bulbs I would do one 12K-14K day light and an antinic bulb, about 15.00-20.00 each for a t5 each over 10 years replace them every 2 years which I would not do personally that would be 150.00, Then the fixture anywhere from 20.00-100.00 depending on what you get. To be its all in the numbers and over all cost over time. I agree at first it might be cheaper but then soon it will be more expensive, Plus like anyone you will be getting all sorts of cool stuff as soon as it gets going and want good lights. Buy one good set vs think about upgrading later.
Thought- led system lasts allot longer 50,000 hours , I mean most bulbs they say change yearly or even less, I would bet most people do 1.5-2 years unless you want to make sure your coral grows (and if I invested a bit in my stuff its worth it) then you replace sooner. Led system lasts about 10-12 years 150.00 cost, Dual T5 bulbs I would do one 12K-14K day light and an antinic bulb, about 15.00-20.00 each for a t5 each over 10 years replace them every 2 years which I would not do personally that would be 150.00, Then the fixture anywhere from 20.00-100.00 depending on what you get. To be its all in the numbers and over all cost over time. I agree at first it might be cheaper but then soon it will be more expensive, Plus like anyone you will be getting all sorts of cool stuff as soon as it gets going and want good lights. Buy one good set vs think about upgrading later.
My tank is 24" (2 feet) deep.
36" deep is going to be tough for commercial LED to be honest (if your wanting to grow SPS at least).
I would say those Tao boxes will not work. They are not strong enough to hit that far down and grow anything other than your very soft LPS maybe.
I would prob go with a DIY LED fixture on a 36" deep tank. Using 3w cree LEDs. That's what most guys do with tanks that deep going LED. Check out reefcentral.com for a ton of LED DIY builds under their DIY section. It does not look that difficult.
36" deep is going to be tough for commercial LED to be honest (if your wanting to grow SPS at least).
I would say those Tao boxes will not work. They are not strong enough to hit that far down and grow anything other than your very soft LPS maybe.
I would prob go with a DIY LED fixture on a 36" deep tank. Using 3w cree LEDs. That's what most guys do with tanks that deep going LED. Check out reefcentral.com for a ton of LED DIY builds under their DIY section. It does not look that difficult.
I am not sold on the led lighting yet. I want to see how they last over the long haul. I would be afraid of them burning out after a short time or even a few years. I just took down my sps reef but I used 3 400 watt mh. I still have not seen a light that will give you the shimmer off the top of the water like a mh will.
For the op I would also use t5 for your setup. I wouldn’t however spend a lot of money because once you set that up and get it going it won’t be big enough. Trust me lol
For the op I would also use t5 for your setup. I wouldn’t however spend a lot of money because once you set that up and get it going it won’t be big enough. Trust me lol
ya thats why I will stick with freshwater for my large tanks But soon I will be setting up another saltwater tank, just for kicks and some cool stuff.
But soon I will be setting up another saltwater tank, just for kicks and some cool stuff. LED works, you just have to spec it correctly. Your after 80+- lumens per watt, 3w chips (cree, bridelux or epileds) and the proper lense degrees
I am growing coralline already 2.5 months into my reef build with LED. 2 anemones (one bicolored) and some LPS. The lights could support SPS up top, but my tank is too new (unstable) to try any, and I am debating even bringing them in the tank....might just stick with soft LPS and anemones, not sure yet.
Like wildman, I am curious how they will hold up after a year. But with no heat (less water evap) and no MH bulb changes, even if they fall apart after 2 years, its still going to be cheaper it looks like running the numbers
I am growing coralline already 2.5 months into my reef build with LED. 2 anemones (one bicolored) and some LPS. The lights could support SPS up top, but my tank is too new (unstable) to try any, and I am debating even bringing them in the tank....might just stick with soft LPS and anemones, not sure yet.
Like wildman, I am curious how they will hold up after a year. But with no heat (less water evap) and no MH bulb changes, even if they fall apart after 2 years, its still going to be cheaper it looks like running the numbers