Help with lighting question
- Thread starter djromo
- Start date
Well than i am not sure, I personally think if you're going to plan on doing a reef that big you are already planning on buying good lights because that tank will cost a lot to build and maintain. I am not experienced with bulbs but i know that something that big would require around three leds if its a standard 180 to have great success with nice corals, i may be wrong but this is what i have seen in my experience. One thing most people would agree on im pretty sure is dont skimp on your lights, they are what make your tank look good and your corals happy besides clean water. I would recommend to your friend to take his time and if it means waiting a while get the light he wants because I just upgraded my light and my tank has completely transformed.
He can do 80w T5's that are, I want to say 54". Its all up to personal taste, and budget. T5's in a canopy could easily be DIY'd or retrofit fairly easily ( never been in the market for a 6' t5 fixture, but I'm positive they make one) DIY LED's are an option. Chinese LED's off Ebay (not my preferance, but an option) Metal Halide will do the job for sure!!!
Lots of ways do do lighting. I agree with TeenReefer, its personal taste. If you want to fill the whole tank with light, get an 8 bulb, if you set it up with a very thin line of rock, you might be able to get a 4 bulb to work (not the best idea imo, but could work). 6 bulb would be the fewest I would go personally. The other thing to consider with t5's is that the more bulbs you have, the more you can mix them, two bulbs in one spectrum, 1 bulb in another, three in actinic one fiji purple, etc... and the more bulbs you have, the more they cost... Everyone in this hobby has opinions about lighting, and they can all be right, just not right for you... Look at some different reefs, look at some different light setups, find out what coral you want to keep, because you don't need the best lights ever made if your going to keep a tank of leathers, and gorgs.
If cost is the biggest consideration, he can look into the Odyssea Metal Halide lights.
http://www.aquatraders.com/72in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54269.htm
They are not the best quality, but will do the job without a HUGE expenditure. I used one over my 135g for almost 6 years with no issues, before I switched to LED. He can swap out the bulbs for higher quality ones in 6 months when it is time to replace them anyway. He could also start switching out the ballasts as the money becomes available. They will probably cost about $200 each, but would be worth the upgrade.
I have also had great success with the Odyssea T5 fixtures, particularly the ones without the built in timers.
http://www.aquatraders.com/72-inch-4x80W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-p/52307.htm
I have used them for a number of things and have never had an issue. He could fit 2 of them over the 180 and have 8 bulbs. Again he would want to switch out the bulbs for higher quality ones at some point, but will get the job done in the meantime. He just needs to keep in mind that these are not the best fixtures and could use some upgrades, though the reflectors would still not be the best. This is ONLY a money saving measure because top quality costs $$.
Or just check online in forums or on craigslist for used halide or T5 systems.
http://www.aquatraders.com/72in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54269.htm
They are not the best quality, but will do the job without a HUGE expenditure. I used one over my 135g for almost 6 years with no issues, before I switched to LED. He can swap out the bulbs for higher quality ones in 6 months when it is time to replace them anyway. He could also start switching out the ballasts as the money becomes available. They will probably cost about $200 each, but would be worth the upgrade.
I have also had great success with the Odyssea T5 fixtures, particularly the ones without the built in timers.
http://www.aquatraders.com/72-inch-4x80W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-p/52307.htm
I have used them for a number of things and have never had an issue. He could fit 2 of them over the 180 and have 8 bulbs. Again he would want to switch out the bulbs for higher quality ones at some point, but will get the job done in the meantime. He just needs to keep in mind that these are not the best fixtures and could use some upgrades, though the reflectors would still not be the best. This is ONLY a money saving measure because top quality costs $$.
Or just check online in forums or on craigslist for used halide or T5 systems.
I personally would go with 2x of these: http://www.aquatraders.com/72-inch-4x80W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Digi-Timer-Fixture-p/52327.htm
And every 2 months swap out a bulb so its not a major investment and spreading out the bulb swapping and eases up on the intensity of all new bulbs vs 1 new bulb every 2 months.
And every 2 months swap out a bulb so its not a major investment and spreading out the bulb swapping and eases up on the intensity of all new bulbs vs 1 new bulb every 2 months.
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