My Dilemma

[cbianco]

I am having a huge problem. I can't decide which way to go with my new tank. Help me decide!

1. Finnex 30 gallon - 6x24 watt T5 HO, skimmer & built in refugium with light.

< http://www.oceanreeflections.com/products.aspx?prodcat=Aquariums&heading=Finnex&subhead=30%20Gallon%20Glass&page=1 >

2. Finnex 30 gallon - 4x24 watt T5 HO, 9x1watt LED controllable, skimmer & built in refugium with light.

< http://www.oceanreeflections.com/products.aspx?prodcat=Aquariums&heading=Finnex&subhead=30%20Gallon%20Glass&page=1 >

3. JBJ 28 Gallon Nano Cube 150 watt 14000K HQI, skimmer.

< http://www.seaquestmarine.com/JBJ_28_Gallon_Nano_Cube_HQI_Reef_Series_with_Stand _p/jbj_nc_28hqi_s.htm >

Each of the above tank is comparable in price, size and features. The major difference is lighting. I will be ordering one of these but I need some major help deciding which one.

I am currently leaning towards the Finnex but then I have to decide which lighting method I will use. I am kind of interested in how much the LED's will assist in coral growth, but I don't want to be the guinea pig.

My second concern is does anyone have any experience ordering through http://www.oceanreeflections.com/[/URL] or http://www.seaquestmarine.com/ (http://www.Oceanreeflection.com)[URL="http://www.seaquestmarine.com"]?

PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR OPINION AND ADVICE! :at_wits_end:

Christopher

[cpreefguy]

Ocean Reeflections is great, A+ customer service.
I am also very curious about the Finnex fixture with the 1x9w LEDs.
I have not been able to find any info on that fixture.
If it were me, I'd go with option #2

[aggman]

i don't understand what you are saying about led's and coral growth. aren't those led's only for aesthetics-moonlights. i doubt 9w's of any light would have any kind of impact on a tank.

the led's that are showing actual coral growth are the galileo and solaris fixtures. they pretty much kick butt, but are mucho expensivo...

or maybe i am wrong and just misunderstood your post.

~alex

[cbianco]

i don't understand what you are saying about led's and coral growth. aren't those led's only for aesthetics-moonlights. i doubt 9w's of any light would have any kind of impact on a tank.

the led's that are showing actual coral growth are the galileo and solaris fixtures. they pretty much kick butt, but are mucho expensivo...

or maybe i am wrong and just misunderstood your post.

~alex

This is one of my concerns. Do the 9 LED lights effect coral growth in any way?

Considering the 6x24 watt fixture is being replaced by the 4x24 watt plus 9x1 watt fixture, according to Finnex, they must be somewhat equal to each other. I know the LED's provide "shimmer" for your tank like MH but is there anymore too it?

Christopher

[BioCube14]

I have heard it helps but I have heard its for aesthetics only also in the end i think it depends on what you plan to keep in the tank

[MattK]

Although I like the JBJ HQI tank I think it would have heat issues in your house.
I assume you're putting it in your office?

[cbianco]

I have heard it helps but I have heard its for aesthetics only also in the end i think it depends on what you plan to keep in the tank

If the LEDs are in fact only for aesthetics only, then it brings up a question; Why would Finnex replace a 6x24 watt fixture with a 4x24 + 9x1 watt, if the later is of lesser value and power?

The above would be a good question for Finnex to answer.


Although I like the JBJ HQI tank I think it would have heat issues in your house.
I assume you're putting it in your office?

Yes, the tank is going in my office. Heat is a very valid considering it is going in my office. This is my main reason for not picking the JBJ tank as my first choice.

I prefer the heat dispersal ability of the Finnex at the moment unless I can be convinced otherwise. (No chillers!)

Christopher

[cpreefguy]

It all goes back to what you want to keep.
In a 30g, you can keep most anything with 4x24w (though I don't know how efficient the fixtures are)
The LEDs will provide the shimmer factor.

As superficial as it, I didn't realize how much I missed the shimmer factor until I had a halide back over my tank.

[cbianco]

It all goes back to what you want to keep.
In a 30g, you can keep most anything with 4x24w (though I don't know how efficient the fixtures are)
The LEDs will provide the shimmer factor.

As superficial as it, I didn't realize how much I missed the shimmer factor until I had a halide back over my tank.

I've never experienced the shimmer factor. I've had PCs before this. Currently, I'm kind of leaning towards the 6x24. It seems like more bang and light for your buck. I am cognitive of the fact that one day the bulbs will have to be replaced though.

I guess I am looking for someone to (honestly) say that the LED supplementation is more than "shimmer" and adds something beneficial to your tank.

I am also concerned that any coral I add to the tank will maintain its colorization or gain color. I am not sure that 4x24 will cut. Even if it does provide the light I am looking for, an extra 48 watts of lighting will provide that much more.

I guess you can say that I am looking for some intelligent debate. By no means am I an expert but (GARF aside), I am looking to put together a "bullet proof" nano.

Christopher

[Iplantz]

Id go with a Cadlights model.

[cbianco]

Id go with a Cadlights model.

Too much dinero in my opinion. At least for what they offer on their website.

Christopher

[FireWater]

You would be surprised what you can keep under the T-5's. If the reflectors are up to par with the quality of the rest of the tank then that is even better. Also, remember that there are so many different bulb choices to go with when we're talking T-5. My opinion is go for the 6 light Finnex and add LEDs later.

[FireWater]

If you want a comparison going by the outdated addage of watts per gallon - My 90Gln has a 6X54 t-5 light fixture - this comes out to roughly 3.6 watts per gallon. The 4X24 on the Finnex comes out to 3.2 watts per gallon w/out factoring possible benefit of the LED's

[cbianco]

If you want a comparison going by the outdated addage of watts per gallon - My 90Gln has a 6X54 t-5 light fixture - this comes out to roughly 3.6 watts per gallon. The 4X24 on the Finnex comes out to 3.2 watts per gallon w/out factoring possible benefit of the LED's

I was trying not to go there, LOL!

I think I have my mind made up.

Yall will have to see it when I order it. :)

Christopher

[FireWater]

Can't wait to see it going - whatever you pick is bound to beat the bathtub.
I didn't want to go there either- Too long of a day and too late for me to be trying math. Good luck

[cbianco]

Can't wait to see it going - whatever you pick is bound to beat the bathtub.

You know, with all that hard water build up in my bath tub, I may no have to dose calcium.

Man one - "Do you dose a two part?"

Man two - "No, I just let the hard water flake off."

Christopher

[LoneStar]

Can't wait to see it going - whatever you pick is bound to beat the bathtub.

It would make water changes pretty easy.

[cbianco]

It would make water changes pretty easy.

Stop trying to convince me that the bathtub would make an awesome tank! I am now married. The wife would never approve this. If I know her well enough, she wouldn't even let me cook some LR in the bathtub for... oh lets say a month or two. Appearently, the toliet is not a quarrentine tank for large finned lionfish either.

^Yeah I know, strict rules in my house.

Christopher

By the way, I have been enjoying the new software but did we finally get a spell check? I can't find it if we did.

[cbianco]

Well, I've ordered my new tank.

I got paid today, got rid of my money today. I guess easy come, easy go.

Anyways... The tank should ship Friday. I look forward to following it with a tracking number.

I'm officially back in nano business! Woot, woot!

Christopher

[cpreefguy]

Cool!
Be sure to post some pics when you get it :)

[R.Allard]

i would go with #1 and retro some led lights in. if you dont like them or they dont work out.
its not that big of a loss and you still have almost as much light as the hqi with out the heat and have more water volume.might be the difference between you having to get a chiller or not. just my opinion though...

[cbianco]

i would go with #1 and retro some led lights in. if you dont like them or they dont work out.
its not that big of a loss and you still have almost as much light as the hqi with out the heat and have more water volume.might be the difference between you having to get a chiller or not. just my opinion though...

The heat issues assossiated with MH swayed my decision. The room I will be putting the tank into is a south facing room with a south facing window. (My orchids love this room.) Also, an open top tank would help to keep the temperatures down.

Christopher

[coraline79]

Which one did you go with? 6x t5hos is going to heat up pretty good as well..I had 4 t5hos over my 30 gallon, and I got great sps growth.

[MattK]

Pretty sure he went with the 6.

[cbianco]

I purchased the 6x24 T5 setup. My old 24 gallon NC with 108 watts of PC used to get super hot. I'm not sure anything with an open top could reach the temps of the NC.

Either way, I am excited about receiving this tank.

Christopher

[cbianco]

<Creepy.Voice>It's coming!<End>

Christopher

[cbianco]

Light are still traveling, tank is in Houston and my house in San Antonio is still empty.

The tank should arrive tomorrow and the lights should arrive on Tuesday. I spent part of my night last night rearranging my office for the arrival of my tank.

Christopher