Lighting opinions

over0066 · 02-13-2006, 12:04 PM

I am starting my first reef tank and need some input in my lighting options.

I am starting a 58 gallon tank and intend to keep a variety of things including softies, lps, and sps. Frankly, I don't know exactly what I will want, but I like to keep all options open.

So far I am down to Current Outer Orbit 150HQI with 96PC x2. The other I am looking at is Aqua Medic 150HQI x2 and 36T5 x2.

Which will give me the most versatility? What are the pros and cons of each?

Thanks

mtfatwork · 02-13-2006, 12:12 PM

what are the dimentions of the tank? I would go for the first, but that is just because I would rather have pc than t5. Personal preference, thats all.

jules77 · 02-13-2006, 12:44 PM

PC's for actinic yes, but any pre made fixture you buy is going to limited on what you can do with it once you make your choice. You might just pick up a retro kit and make your own hood so you can make changes in the future. You can pretty easily make a hood from pine 1x2's and pre-cut pine at HD.

moffit · 02-13-2006, 12:51 PM

I agree with jules77. I made my hood for my 55 gallon for about $30 with materials from HD. Very inexpensive and very easy to modify.

JnS · 02-13-2006, 01:01 PM

IMO- you are better off buying a retro kit.
MH and some VHO for your actnic. or just MH with a 15k or 20k bulb

over0066 · 02-13-2006, 01:19 PM

Tank dimensions, 36L x 18W x 21H

I see what you all are saying with building a canopy, but I don't have the tools needed, and for my wife's sake it would need to match the Oceanic Med Oak stand. I definitely would like to build one because it would be nice to be able to tweak lighting as needed...but alas, i must go with a fixture.

Other opinions?

David Grigor · 02-13-2006, 01:53 PM

150HQI, would be pretty good option for a community tank. While certainly lots of SPS that would do fine under 150W HQI, it is still not high enough for many of the brightly color acroporas out there but in most cases will do an okay job. If you think your going to end up getting more serious with SPS/acropora 250W HQI would be the better option. If you stick with a mostly community tank now then the higher K bulbs would be better.

Oceanlights from Aquamedic is a pretty solid choice and would choose over an orbit any day as far as quality goes and not a significant cost difference to make it really worth going with the orbit IMO. 250W isn't even an option with the orbit.

over0066 · 02-14-2006, 10:40 PM

I found the Current Outer Orbit lights second hand, so I think I am going to go with that, unless somebody can talk me into the aquamedic. I haven't been able to find any fixture with a single 250w HQI with supplemental lighting. The aquamedic is 2x150HQI. Is this too much in combination with the T-5 supplemental to do softies, anenomes, and LPS? I like the idea of one 250 as it would give me enough for plenty of sps as well as have some shaded areas near the edge of the tank for lower light species. I don't know, it is tough to spend an extra 300 on the aquamedics now that I found the current lights second hand.

Twins Guy · 02-14-2006, 10:59 PM

i have a single 250w hqi with t5s for actinic supplementation over my 58g. IMO it is the most efficient way to light that tank and will give you a lot of options. i have a 24" fixture and it is suspended from the ceiling. the light spread is essentially no different than if i had a 36" fixture because it is suspended about 6" off the surface of the water. 2 x 150s would work too and may spread the light better over the length of the tank. though they might not penetrate to the deeper reaches of the tank quite as well.
tg

over0066 · 02-15-2006, 10:38 AM

Twins Guy

Its nice to see another 58 out there. For some reason I have been fixated on a 36" fixture (well, maybe its because my tank is 36" long), but I am really liking the 24" idea. I take it you have been liking yours. Your tank looks great. Any buyers remorse with your lights? Do they heat the tank at all? Also, do you have any current full tank/light pictures? Just curious to see what it looks like (I did see your thread with pictures, I just wanted to see it with "stuff").

I think my decision has now evolved into the
Aquamedic or the Sunlight Maristar
Both 24" with 1x250HQI and 2x24 T5

I am sure it won't take much, but please propose an argument that will allow me to justify an extra $200 for the Maristar instead of the Aquamedic (better reflecors? ballasts?)

While I feel like I am getting a better grasp on lighting, I have no practial experience yet. Are 10k that much more intense than 14k? As suggested, is 14k or the like a better choice until I have a strong showing of sps?