Lighting Plans

[Captain Jack]

I'm planning to upgrade the lighting on my 30 gal long FOWLR, and then start adding some corals. I want to get a setup that is nice enough for most corals I could want (probably starting with soft, but able to move into lps or sps), yet cheap enough that I can afford it. For example, it will take me 4-6 months to save up for a $300ish setup. so a $600ish setup is not in the cards at this time, but I also don't want to save up for months for a system that I'll end up wanting to replace in a few months because it doesn't do the job well enough.

I was thinking of going with:
36" 6x39W Nova Extreme
PRO T5HO 3x10k/3x460nm
Actinics by Current USA

T5's seem a good value, and I figure the more bulbs the fixture has, the less likely I will be to regret the purchase or feel a need to supliment.

I'm curious if anyone has suggestions. If this is overkill, and less bulbs would suffice. Or if this model/company makes generally poor products (remember my limited budget, i know there are plenty of better+more expensive options). Are there other effective+reasonable solutions i should be considering?

Thanks for reading, appreciate the help.

[dustint21]

If you are planning to add SPS and you dont want to have to buy more lighting later i would find a used MH set up! Right know is the time to buy used MH because everyone is jumping to T5's! If you are just starting with SPS MH is the way to go! You will get better growth with the MH than you will with the setup you are talking about getting. Someone else is going to tell you something diifferent! It is a never ending battle! If you do go T5's dont waste your money on the current fixture. I would buy something with reflectors for each bulb,instead of something that has one big reflector! Its up to you! IMO go with MH!

[ErikH]

T5s would be perfect, could you fit six? If you want to do it right the first time, get the icecap retrofits with the SLRs and make a short canopy. It will pay off in the long run. Also, in the canopy, make sure you can fit fans to run the length of the bulbs.

[LoneStar]

Also check out Tek fixtures. They are very nice and have individual reflectors for each bulb. They are roughly in your price range. I'd pick them before a Current fixture anyday.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/

[CoryDude]

Marinedepot has an icecap 4 t-5 bulb retrofit that includes the icecap 660, endcaps, individual reflectors, and bulbs for $318. From what I've seen on here, the individual reflectors are better and I know from experience that Icecap makes the best electronic ballasts out there. I'd go that route, and like Scorpino said, build or retro your own hood. Think you'll be much happier than going w/a pre-built hood w/a crappy reflector and cheap ballast.

[Fish4life]

318 is probably the price before bulbs. The only way to do t5 bulbs is with ATI Bulbs and Icecap SLRS retrofit or an AX5 aquaconnects all inclusive unit.

Cheers,

Kurt

[Captain Jack]

Thanks for the input so far.

I think MH is pretty well out. Not only would MH cost almost twice as much, but it would probably also require to me to get chiller, which would probably cost as much again as the light fixture.

The Tek light does look nicer than the Current fixture, probably worth the extra $100.

I will have to look more into canopies (I have plenty of time while saving up for lights). They do seem to look nicer and give more options than pre-made fixtures. With only a 30g long, i previously thought a canopy would basically dwarf my tank. Considering i have a hang-on-tank fuge and skimmer that stick above the top of the thank by 5.5" and 7" respectively, so the canopy would either be tall enough to cover them, or leave them sticking out. Any suggestions on that?

[coraline79]

I run 2 Hagen Glo Dual t5HO (4 bulbs)setups on my 30 long. I bought them off of here and from Ed at Wolf. My total cost was under 200, one was new opened, and the other was used for a short period of time. I keep a hand full of sps, lps, and soft corals + about 5 fish. Everything grows well, and the color is amazing!!! The MH looks good, I have tried a 175w over my tank but the heat is crazy. and not worth the effort of topping off every day. I top off my sump every 3 days as is, but my temp stays in range.

[coraline79]

Considering i have a hang-on-tank fuge and skimmer that stick above the top of the thank by 5.5" and 7" respectively, so the canopy would either be tall enough to cover them, or leave them sticking out. Any suggestions on that?

Sump it!!! Hang that fuge on a 10 gallon tank underneath, get an insump skimmer from Aquarium Designs. I got a skimmer rated at 90 gallons from them for about 100 bucks. Nothing special but for 30 gallons it really rocks. I had all the hang on the back stuff on my 30 long, and I really would never consider going back.

You could go with 4 retrofits w/ individual reflector/advanced or workhorse ballast(cheaper, but still good), and all the mentioned above, and you will be under 350.

[CoryDude]

318 is probably the price before bulbs. The only way to do t5 bulbs is with ATI Bulbs and Icecap SLRS retrofit or an AX5 aquaconnects all inclusive unit.

Cheers,

Kurt

Whoops, you're right. I was looking at the VHO retro's (which include bulbs) for $299 for 24" 4-bulb. Sorry!

Have you given any thoughts to VHO? Hardly anyone still uses them, but I've always been partial to them. I like the intensity and w/an IceCap, they don't run too hot.

[Captain Jack]

I'm starting to lean towards a pre-built fixture over a canopy, because i don't think i could fit very many retrofit endcaps with bulbs in a 36' by 12' canopy; maybe 4, just barely but probably not 6. As a fixture i could get 6 or 8 if wanted.