Lighting - Need Assitance in decision

[Thomsona]

Hello Guys

thanks for all your help so far with advice and tips,

im stuck on my lights originally i was going down the path of 4-6 T5ho but when i got them they dont fit my Tank

im now looking at a couple of options i just want to get some opinions on which way to go as this is a decision i need to make in the next day or 2

im looking at setting up some basic coral and a nem so that needs to be considered

im now tossing up between LED or T5 HO ??? below are some links at what im looking at

Amazon.com: 30 in. AquaticLife Dual Lamp T5 HO Marine Light Fixture - 2 x 24W: Home & Garden (Looking at maybe 2 of these)

Amazon.com: Marineland Reef Capable LED Light - 24 in. to 36 in.: Home & Garden (looking at 1 of these as and options)

Amazon.com: 24-36 in. Marineland Double Bright LED Light - 8 x 1W white - 4 x .06W blue: Kitchen & Dining (looking at 2 of these)

my choices are limited as my tank is 30" and seems to be and odd size

look forward to your assistance

Cheers

Andrew

 

[Zer0]

Those LED's most likely won't support many corals, and definitely not a nem. Unless you had maybe 3 or 4 of them.

What are the exact dimensions of your tank? That will help us to better identify what type of lights you would need to support most corals and a nem.

 

[Thomsona]

Model 80 Aquarium size is 80cm x 42cm x 64cm high, the volume is 180 litres

 

[Thomsona]

24-36 in. Marineland Double Bright LED Light - 8 x 1W white - 4 x .06W blue

this is where i get confused they say reef capable would 2 of these be ok ?

 

[Zer0]

lol, i don't know how to convert centimeters to inches dude.. silly Americans right?

Tbh.. the 1W led's are pretty weak.. and 8 of them wouldn't do anything for you. The blue's are even weaker. I believe when they say "Reef Capable", they mean it's capable of lighting the tank up, or giving actinic supplementation. I've never seen anyone use those solely on their reef aquariums.

 

[Thomsona]

so better off going for couple of these ?<br><br>http://www.amazon.com/Aqualight-Dual-Lamp-Light-Fixture/dp/B002P9R2GO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298096106&sr=8-1<br><br>

 

[Zer0]

Yeah, a couple of those *would* be better... But if you look in the description of the product it says the dimensions of that light are 33"x12"x5", so it looks as though it's longer than 30", so it may hang off your tank, or not even fit. But mostly will fit. Still, you'll probably have trouble finding replacement bulbs, as there are not many options to 30" T5HO lamps. Just something to think about.

 

[Thomsona]

unfortunetly im stuck with 30' unless i go for over hang or 2 short<br>

 

[Zer0]

True, well if you have to go with those then take the plunge. I would definitely recommend T5HO's though. They are great light systems, and they can keep all corals and anemones, depending on what fixtures you get.

 

[thominil]

Is a metal halide pendant an option?

 

[Thomsona]

as in hanging from ceiling no not and option at this stage,<br><br>would love to buy missus doesnt want any more "work" done to roof<br>

 

[Zer0]

Well, it doesn't need to hang from the ceiling. You could put up a post and attach it to the back of the tank stand. Like what i did if you look at my build thread:

That gray bar that's bent... that's what my pendant hangs from

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f101/zer0s-17-3g-shallow-rimless-cube-140255.html

My dad wouldn't let me drill in to my ceiling so this is what i did.

 

[Thomsona]

looks nice mate

real nice,

now what im looking at though looking at them being on top of the tank

 

[Thomsona]

ok i think im getting my head around this,

im tossing up between these 2 items

1 of these
Amazon.com: AQUALIGHT T5 HO LUNAR FIXTURE: Kitchen & Dining

or

2 of these
Amazon.com: 30 in. Aqualight T5 HO Dual Lamp Light Fixture - 2 x 31W: Kitchen & Dining

thanks for your help sorry if i sound noob its because i am this is my first attempt at a marine tank

 

[Thomsona]

Went with the 2 t5 ho

Now gotta wait till they arrive from the states

 

[mr_X]

andrew, what are the dimensions of your tank? 30" but how deep is it to the sand bed? how wide front to back. i think you are limiting yourself with 2 x 24 watt t-5s.

 

[trackfast]

I always recommend these lights:
Current USA Nova Extreme T5HO X2 - Saltwater Aquarium Light Fixtures
You could go with the 36" size and just have a little over hang on each side.

 

[Thomsona]

50 cm

I have actually sourced 39w tubes locally for them,

I have a 6 x 39 unit here but it's to big

 

[mr_X]

you are going to have to go with 24 watt lamps in a 30" fixture. do you have a canopy? how about retro fitting something. stagger 24" lamps perhaps?

 

[Thomsona]

Hmm they come with 31w my Lfs said they had 30" 39w tubes made by a local company called clipsal

Any way confused again lol

What would u suggest mr x for my cuc starting to get a brown algae in there