Lighting Opinions

[Jon123]

I know there are alot of reef lighting gurus on this board, so I thought Id ask for some opinions.

This summer I am planning on experimenting with the upside-down and papua jellyfish according to the care requirements outlined in 'How to Keep Jellyfish in Aquariums' by C. Widmer. The book goes into rediculous detail about everything EXCEPT lighting, merely saying "medium-high reef quality lighting". I am planning on modding a 10g tank with 12" depth into the 'flow-through' design and a 30g tall tank with 24" depth into the 'pseudokreisel' design.

What would you reef experts consider "medium-high reef quality lighting" for 12" and 24" depths without bleaching the poor jellies.

For the 12" tank Im looking at:

1x96w pc
2x18w pc
1x36w pc
2x40w pc
1x40w pc

For the 24" tank Im looking at:

1x150w (1500k) HQI MH
4x24w T5
2x65w pc
2x36w pc
1x150w HQI MH with 2x65w pc (although out of my ideal price range)

Thanks for any input or suggestions!

Jon

[gadgetguy]

Why not go for T5 on the 12" tank as well. IMO, T5 has far surpassed PC technology now.

[j_hammer]

t5 for both i think.

[Jon123]

Why not go for T5 on the 12" tank as well. IMO, T5 has far surpassed PC technology now.

Purely because I could not find any t5 units in the 20" length for the 10g aquarium. I was also leaning more towards MH for the 24" depth tank, but do you think t5 would provide enough illumination at that depth? I really have no idea:(

Again, thanks for the thoughts!

Jon

[TheMikey]

I have a 20" 96W PC Light that's got about 3 months use on it. As soon as I put up my halide it will be available (:

[Froc3]

You won't need T5 for the 10g - PC should be fine. T5s are usually good for corals up to the 20" range, so you could probably use them on the 24" tank for jellies.

[TJSlayer]

The makers of Profulux controllers just released a beutiful T5 light (Called Star Fire), not sure on pricing and such but lloks great. No distributors in Sask yet but supposedly Ocena Aquatics and Progressive Reef are going to carry it, couldn't find much more info on it yet...

[Jon123]

I have a 20" 96W PC Light that's got about 3 months use on it. As soon as I put up my halide it will be available (:

Good to know! Does it seem to provide excellent illumination? or why are you wanting to upgrade to halide, sps?

You won't need T5 for the 10g - PC should be fine. T5s are usually good for corals up to the 20" range, so you could probably use them on the 24" tank for jellies.

Yes, most sources seem to say upto 18-24", then over 24" you require MH. Do you know if 39w bulbs penetrate better than an equal total wattage of 24w bulbs? Or even if I should simply just stick to the halides?

Again, thanks!

Jon

[TJSlayer]

The new lights are very nice but wow they cost a bundle....

But look to be very high end...

[Jon123]

The new lights are very nice but wow they cost a bundle....

But look to be very high end...

Ya, I was just looking at some of those. Maybe theyll cut a $100 off the price in the next 3 months...haha. I might just have to go that route tho, I want to be certain that if Im not successful that its not inadequate lighting thats at fault.

Jon

[scythanith]

I use 39 watt T5's overdriven by IceCap ballast on a 36" deep tank and have great coral growth right to the bottom of the tank. The key to T5's is the individual reflector, which maximizes the light directed down into the tank. You don't need a MH, and could avoid its heat producing qualities if you wish.

I have a 10 gallon with overdriven T5's on it as well and they are longer than the tank itself but I build a canopy to accommodate the lighting. here are some shots:
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Canreef%20Nano%20Contest/DSC_00131.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Canreef%20Nano%20Contest/DSC_0019111.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Canreef%20Nano%20Contest/DSC_0020111.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Canreef%20Nano%20Contest/DSC_0023111.jpg

I personally really like the overdriven T5's with individual reflectors. You can match the bulb combination to any look you want.

This is a 18" deep frag tank of mine also using 4 overdriven (IC 660) 39 watt bulbs with individual IceCap reflectors (my main tank is a near identical setup with 6 bulbs and two fans blowing down the length of the bulbs):
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Tank%20Pics/DSC_0042-1.jpg

[Dripline]

That is so COOL! Luv the setup!

[TheMikey]

Yeah, I'm wanting to try SPS and also want the shimmer effect. I have just about all the different kinds of LPS I can have atm (acans, candy cane, open brain, plate, chalice, etc.) and want to do SPS. I would also like a clam.

As for illumination it's awesome. All my LPS are growing great and I'm sure I could keep SPS polyps alive... I'd just be afraid that they'd brown out.

Update though, when my light went on (timers) today I noticed that everything had much different colour. An inspection of the light showed me that one of the quad tubes (white one) burned out... boo.