25 gallon lighting

[Jaxy]

I am trying to figure out the strength of lighting I will need for an upcoming 25 gallon reef tank. The tank is a stretched octagon that is 29.5 long and 15.5 high. I know a lot of your lighting depends on what your livestock consists of. I guess I would like to be able to know that I could pick up an anemone or an lps coral on a whim, without having to upgrade my lighting system. Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

Thanks!!

 

[Jaxy]

Just to clarify a little, I am looking to go LED. I am currently looking at the marineland reef capable LED lighting system. It is the 24" - 36" model. 23 white LEDs (1 watt) and 4 blue LEDs (1 watt). 1670 lumens, and lamp dimensions are 23" x 5.25" x 0.5".

Anyone have experience with this unit?

Thanks

 

[carey]

Hi there.

That marineland led fixture isnt really reef capable, maybe some softies but thats about it.

Is there a budget you'd like to stay within? There is the ecotech radion if you have no budget and then led panels like this one if you are on a budget. lol

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058RXPOS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1

 

[Jaxy]

Thanks Carey, I will look more into that. I was a little sceptical that the marineland fixture would not omit enough light myself.

 

[Jaxy]

Hmmm. I am not sure if I could mount it from my ceiling or not. I think am more in the market for a fixture I can rest on my tank.

 

[carey]

I couldnt mount my led fixture either, vaulted ceilings. I used two metal brackets that i suspended the light from. here is the 60g with the light panel

 

[Saratj1]

Did those metal brackets cost about as much as the leds Carey, I saw some similar ones that looked really nice but were really expensive.

 

[carey]

yeah, they are current hanging bars, cost $90 from pet solutions. :-( You could do your own if you can bend rebar or some other metal.

 

[Saratj1]

Those look good, sometimes it's worth it to spend a little. Those make the aquarium look nice and tidy. I was thinking about different ways to build my own light hangers. If your lighting looks cobbled together it cheapens the look of the whole aquarium imo.

 

[carey]

I agree completely.

With the 60g cube build I went a little overboard so that it would be my masterpiece lol. Didnt wanna have it look cluttered so I didnt do much DIY work on it. Cost more but I have to say i am almost satisfied with the look. lol

 

[Saratj1]

Sorry kinda off topic/thread jacking but this will be my last off topic post,
Carey I would wire tie the light cord, that would clean it up a little bit.
I've got wires hanging all over my tank so I know how it is, but yours is clean so wire tires would make a difference mine is so cobbled you wouldn't notice if I tied the wires lol