Lighting discussion for my upgrade

anarchy

anarchy

Active member
So in preparation for my upgrade I need everything planned out way ahead of time. The tank will be a 180 so for lighting it's going to be 3 250w halides and 4 t5 bulbs. Never had t5s so what I need to know is should I do 54w or 80w. Here's a picture of the retro t5 kit I'll be getting
5a3267e9b2cdc3a6875674149aae8998.jpg
 
Man to bad they dont have the t12 vhos any more those would kick azz with some halides . Idk that seems like alot of more for two bulb t5 maybe find a used fixture and gut it make your own
 
madjoe said:
Man to bad they dont have the t12 vhos any more those would kick azz with some halides . Idk that seems like alot of more for two bulb t5 maybe find a used fixture and gut it make your own
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Built in ballast and led moonlights. I had 2 t12 super actinic setup with these halides back on my 120 but when I got rid of my 4ft tank then I traded those for some sps
 
anarchy said:
Built in ballast and led moonlights. I had 2 t12 super actinic setup with these halides back on my 120 but when I got rid of my 4ft tank then I traded those for some sps
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Yea i saw that but moon lights r cheap not saying its bad idea just saying might be able to find cheaper . Those super attincs were killer werent they
 
madjoe said:
Yea i saw that but moon lights r cheap not saying its bad idea just saying might be able to find cheaper . Those super attincs were killer werent they
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I didn't have sps back then but made my colors pop. I like the height of the fixture. Allows me to basically plug and play and the bulbs will basically be the same height as my halides. Just curious if the 54 or 80w would be better
 
anarchy said:
I didn't have sps back then but made my colors pop. I like the height of the fixture. Allows me to basically plug and play and the bulbs will basically be the same height as my halides. Just curious if the 54 or 80w would be better
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Depends oh how easy to get bulbs really 54w r pretty available dont see many places carry the 80w . Longer would be better coverage though
 
madjoe said:
Depends oh how easy to get bulbs really 54w r pretty available dont see many places carry the 80w . Longer would be better coverage though
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54w it is. May add some led strips if coverage is bad but with 966w of lighting I think it'll be okay
 
Buy 2 DIY led strips like [MENTION=1217]madjoe[/MENTION] you will be happy..Those DIY strips look nice and small...
 
Have you considered going primary LEDs?

I guy I know in Kansas had his house raided at 1AM. The warrant implicated he was growing something illegal in the basement. The SWAT Team found a coral farm with 6 400 watt MHs.

When I switched I lowered the heat in my house significantly and dropped the electrical cost by $300 a month in the summer and $150 in the winter.

570PAR.jpg


Here is a pic of my 570 Mixed.

Bill
 
wld1783 said:
Have you considered going primary LEDs?

I guy I know in Kansas had his house raided at 1AM. The warrant implicated he was growing something illegal in the basement. The SWAT Team found a coral farm with 6 400 watt MHs.

When I switched I lowered the heat in my house significantly and dropped the electrical cost by $300 a month in the summer and $150 in the winter.

570PAR.jpg


Here is a pic of my 570 Mixed.

Bill
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I've looked into it quite a few times. They just don't do it for me like a power hungry halide. Right now my electric bill isn't bad at all. But I'm sure once I get a big tank that needs 400w halides then I'll switch
 
I still like the 400 watt Radium on an HQI Ballast. Its what I started with along with 420nm and 50/50 VHOs.

I dont think I'll go back as with a controller I can dim each channel to tweak the looks perfectly. Having a natural sunrise and sunset, its cool to watch the last hour as different fish and organisms slowly enter their night cycle.

Bill
 
I'm buying Lumen bright reflectors (Large 20x20") from a guy in R2R. He still has 3 left. use 3 and should cover your tank without supplemental lights.
 
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