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Lighting my tank

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Guest, Oct 31, 2011.

  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

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    I have a 60 gallon corner tank, my water depth is about 22 inches, currently i have a set of T5, i have 4 corals GSP, blue mushrooms, green button polyps, xenia, which are all doing fine. however im having to keep them up high due to light reasons, i would love to get a clam and frogspawn, but my lighting will not work, my current T5 are 24 inch, could probaly go up to 30-36 inch.  Thought about LED, I need help, does anyone have anything, or point me in right direction, im stupid when it comes to this.
    Thanks
     
  2. Guest

    Guest Guest

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    I did come across a LED system 36 inch 42 1w LED bulbs, dont know if that is good, worse or better than what i got?
     
  3. iaJim

    iaJim Inactive User

    775
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    Probably not better. If you want good LED's, you're going to have to put out some money or build them yourself which is also a bit of money. I love my Aquillumination lights.
     
  4. FindnNemo

    FindnNemo Inactive User

    96
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    http://www.ebay.com/itm/190530896123?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

    Would these work for his set up? or would they be to strong?
     
  5. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
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    I wouldnt go with that fixture, looks cheap and uses 1W leds like the Marineland fixture. Honestly, if you want to get leds your gonna have to spend the coin and get AI's, call Craig or any of the guys up at ACC (Anemones clowns and corals) and they'll get you setup. GIRS members get 10% off keep in mind, so that'll save you some money. You could also do the DIY led route for cheaper but I wouldnt recommend it unless your pretty familiar with electrical work. Either one of those 2 are gonna be your best and IMO only option. I love my AI's over my 75 and am currently waiting for ACC to get a shipment of more AI's so I can throw one over my frag tank as well.
     
  6. bobov50

    bobov50

    76
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    I found this on nano-reef.com its a helpful read for clams and their lighting requirements. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=114475
    With that said id go with this fixture and supplement it with the t5s you already have. http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_metal_halide_coralife_aqualight_advanced-ap.html
     
  7. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    Just playing devil's advocate here...
    If you are willing to read up and learn, DIY really isn't hard. You need to know how to solder and do some SIMPLE electrical wiring. There are many tutorials littering all of the major reefer sites. It looks and sounds 100x more intimidating before you start, but once you get going it really isn't bad. I actually ended up saving a TON of money by going in on a group buy on reef central. Got drivers for right around $15 a pop and bulbs around $1.50 a pop. Spending full retail you will end up getting close to what an already built fixture costs ALONE. The benefit, IMO, is that it ends up being tailor built for YOUR tank the way YOU want it. Prebuilt fixtures tend to cluster the LEDs whereas in a DIY you space them how you want and add a greater color mix as well.
     
  8. Thomas

    Thomas Inactive User

    34
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    if you are going to go with led's i would recommend looking at rapidleds.com. it all depends on what corals you want to keep for your tank. if you only want to keep soft corals i would recommend 15 3watt leds, for lps and sps i would recommend 24 3watt leds. for the 24 you are going to want around 6 3watt soft white leds with 40degree optics as the center row(this is for the high noon lighting) then stage 12 3watt blue leds with 60degree optics. then last but not least get 6 3watt royal blue to place around the edges with 60-80 degree optics. for the drivers i would get all dimming ones since you will have to acclimate your corals to the intense light and allow for dawn to dusk lighting. for a diy fixture you will be looking to spend around $250ish. so around a good 6bulb t5 fixture.
     

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