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Help me find a light

Mark_C

Mark_C

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So, the IM 30g reef is on its way, and I need a lighting solution.
Mixed reef, ony 18-20" deep, 36" length.
I want to keep this tank clean and streamlined so I wont be hanging fixtures with dangling wired and I'd like to avoid multiple mounts.

I'm thinking along the lines of a single over tank unit...
The Mazarra R5 Razor X are out, but reviews are slim, the 150w or 200w would be ideal but I hate buying products without experienced reviews.
Reefbreeders Photon 24 V2 or 32 V2 seems an option.
Zetlights may do the job, but I have no info on them outsode website propagande.
The Kessel AP line just came out, but I'd prefer not putting a new mortgage on the house.

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
And, if anyone is selling anything (single unit) appropriate for a 36" mixed reef, lemme know.

Thanks, M
 
Mark_C

Mark_C

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Mmmm, didn't consider T5 straight up.
So, maybe one oof these?...

Only concern I have is its in a warm room, and I'm always fighting with fans to keep temps down. Is there a considerable jump in heat under pure T5s?
 
jgraz

jgraz

Mark_C said:
Mmmm, didn't consider T5 straight up.
So, maybe one oof these?...

Only concern I have is its in a warm room, and I'm always fighting with fans to keep temps down. Is there a considerable jump in heat under pure T5s?
Click to expand...

If those measurements are correct that won't fit.
I thought you mentioned 36". That light is 30"
I use a Current extreme 4x24 on my fusion 20. I dont feel it adds any considerable heat at all. At least I dont really feel it on my had under the fixture. A fan pulls air in from the sides and out of the back.
 
Mark_C

Mark_C

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In redaing on the T5s I was under the impression that a 30" should cover a 36" with 3" of low light drop on the edges.
With a mixed reef I thought that might be ideal for lower light level corals.
 
jgraz

jgraz

In theory yes. But i
Mark_C said:
In redaing on the T5s I was under the impression that a 30" should cover a 36" with 3" of low light drop on the edges.
With a mixed reef I thought that might be ideal for lower light level corals.
Click to expand...

In theory, yes.
But its a tank mounted light so if you have a 36" wide tank............
On top of that, a 30" fixture is going to use 24" bulbs. So if they are centered your talking 6" each side. If staggered, and they probably are then 3" each side but only 2 bulbs extending out to the edge.
I think even with a 36" fixture you will still have plenty of low light areas if you stay at 4 bulbs, while still allowing plenty of punch to get SPS going without issue.
 
Mark_C

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Cool deal, thanks for the info.
Never went T5, might be interesting.
I'll look into this...

But, being brand new to fiull T5, some questions if anyone has the time.

1. Tank is 35.5"L x 14"W (13" depth) and will be mixed reef with sps center and high.
I'm assuming a 4 bulb T5 unit at 36" length with 39W bulbs would fit, giving 160W or so to the tank.
These will be mounted on the tank with the standing brackets (6-8" above waterline).
Is this too much light for this size nano, would a 2 bulb be better?

2. I'm guessing that the bulb quality is the important bit here, and the differences between a $150 and $400 fixture is going to be little bells and whistels (and branding).
If so, I'd like to keep as reasonable as possible, any advice on brands? I've seen the Oddyssea line 36" for around $100.
Something like this?
 
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MadReefer

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I have had T5 and went Led later.
Only thing I recommend is Get a disturbing built-in timers.
Not sure if that is standard these days.
 
jgraz

jgraz

Mark_C said:
Cool deal, thanks for the info.
Never went T5, might be interesting.
I'll look into this...

But, being brand new to fiull T5, some questions if anyone has the time.

1. Tank is 35.5"L x 14"W (13" depth) and will be mixed reef with sps center and high.
I'm assuming a 4 bulb T5 unit at 36" length with 39W bulbs would fit, giving 160W or so to the tank.
These will be mounted on the tank with the standing brackets (6-8" above waterline).
Is this too much light for this size nano, would a 2 bulb be better?

2. I'm guessing that the bulb quality is the important bit here, and the differences between a $150 and $400 fixture is going to be little bells and whistels (and branding).
If so, I'd like to keep as reasonable as possible, any advice on brands? I've seen the Oddyssea line 36" for around $100.
Something like this?
Click to expand...

That link is the Coralie you posted eariler. Only 30"
As to Oddyssea, I'm not gonna bash it, most will and most will not have used it before doing so. Its Chinese(like most of the aquarium equipment) and its cheaply made. Will it grow coral....yes it will, I had a 4x24" that grew and cored up LPS on the bottom of my old 44g pentagon, almost 20". Will it grow SPS......Meh. I had to put it up really high and it grew, but colors were blah. Upgrading to ATI bulbs helped a lot, but it wasn't until I moved on to the Current nova that I started to see color improvements. The Oddyssea has come a long way from the one i used 8 years ago though, so I would expect it to perform much better.
On the other end of the Spectrum is the ATI. A 4 bulb ATI sunpower will grown SPS pretty much anywhere in that tank. You won't be disappointed, but you will be putting out a good chunk more in money. Somewhere in the $500 range with bulbs.
But you might be able to source one used for a good bit less.

As far as searching goes, fans are important. Cooler bulbs are more efficient and last longer. ATI are the standard and Giessemann bulbs are pretty much right there with them. Any fixture you get swap the bulbs for one of the above. If you want grow SPS go with thev 4 bulb. 2 won't cut it *
 
Trio91

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Look up the Sun blaze T5'S, you can get an affordable 4 bulb on Amazon
 
MadReefer

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Trio91 said:
They dont and are passively cooled. But you keep the Ac on at home, and its elevated it should be ok.

Currently I'm running an old tek light without issues.
[/QUOte/]

Mark_C said he did want to mount to the wall or ceiling. He would need to figure out another option to use them.
Click to expand...
 
jgraz

jgraz

Trio91 said:
They dont and are passively cooled. But you keep the Ac on at home, and its elevated it should be ok.

Currently I'm running an old tek light without issues.
Click to expand...
I wish those Tek units were still around. Well build lights and right up there with the ATI sunpower for output
I'm always searching for a 24" unit. One day I'll find one
 
Mark_C

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Thanks all for the help and advice, especially jgraz, he wins an internet.

So, you'd think a 4 bulb, 36"tank mount T5 would be easily found.
In reality there's only one, and its taped to the back of the jackelope in BIgfoot's pocket.

Eventually found this, can go 4 or 6 bulb. I'm thinking 6 bulb may be overkill for a 14" deep tank.
If seems good, I'm on it tonight.
www.ebay.com

Current Nova Extreme/ Pro Aquarium Lighting Systems 20" 24",36",48" New | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Current Nova Extreme/ Pro Aquarium Lighting Systems 20" 24",36",48" New at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
 
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MadReefer

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First fixture I had was Nova 4 bulb in my 55g. Nice light and bright.
I was new to this hobby and mounted in the hood so that and poor husbandry caused stuff to not do well.
 
jgraz

jgraz

Mark_C said:
Thanks all for the help and advice, especially jgraz, he wins an internet.

So, you'd think a 4 bulb, 36"tank mount T5 would be easily found.
In reality there's only one, and its taped to the back of the jackelope in BIgfoot's pocket.

Eventually found this, can go 4 or 6 bulb. I'm thinking 6 bulb may be overkill for a 14" deep tank.
If seems good, I'm on it tonight.
www.ebay.com

Current Nova Extreme/ Pro Aquarium Lighting Systems 20" 24",36",48" New | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Current Nova Extreme/ Pro Aquarium Lighting Systems 20" 24",36",48" New at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
Click to expand...

Thats what I have, just the 24".
Nice light. Do replace the bulbs as I stated above.
Has fans, two I believe for the 36". They are not the quietest fans, but not at all offensive either. You will be able to grow pretty much anything anywhere with the 4 bulb.
I was going to ink that for you yesterday, but for some reason I can't open it. Thats the same seller I used for mine.
 
Mark_C

Mark_C

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Tank came in, much smaller than expected.
36' long, 12" high, only 10" width. I think I may be able to get by with 2 bulbs pretty easily.
Thoughts? Is 4 still better even in a small are like that?
 
jgraz

jgraz

Mark_C said:
Tank came in, much smaller than expected.
36' long, 12" high, only 10" width. I think I may be able to get by with 2 bulbs pretty easily.
Thoughts? Is 4 still better even in a small are like that?
Click to expand...

Go with 4
I have the IM 20, essentially the same tank only 24" though. 2 bulbs would really limit me in terms of coral choice and spectrum. If you want SPS you'll need those extras.
That said, I run 2 blue+ from 10-10 and the other 2 bulbs, coral+ and blue+ for about 4 hours in the middle of the day. But that 4 will go up to about 7 hours as time progresses.
Honestly, the cost between the 2 bulb and 4 bulb is probably minimal unless your considering ATI. It would suck to get the 2 and realize later you should have gotten 4.
 
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