Tank upgrade - need help with new lighting MH/T5/LEDs?

poidog

poidog

Active member
Morning all,
Well after staying up till 1am last night reading feverishly on a new (for me) lighting method, I'd thought I'd open it up to you guys for input and help. I am considering upgrading from my 24g 150w MH (20k radium) nano cube to a 70g starfire 36(l)x18(w)x24(d) open topped tank (no hood).

Now, I love the look of my current tank, and I definitely love me some shimmer! I would love to keep it in some way, whether that means stick with MH or is there a T5/LED combo that will do this, or just go all LED... I'm at a lost at what I should do with the new system.

Anyone that already knows my tank is that I am very SPS dominated with clams. I would like to get into some more LPS, but that means I'll need a lower PAR on the bottom so I don't wash the LPS out, BUT High PAR for upper and mid tank is very important.

The tank will be in my living room, so noise will be an important factor. I'm used to the loud noise of the current single MH, but making it quieter will be a huge +. Also, I know MH will discharge more heat, but I would like to avoid a chiller if at all possible. If I need one though, I don't mind just getting one... don't want a cooked summer tank.

What should I do? Here are the options I was considering - I am of course open to anything else, suggestions please. I am looking for an all-in-one type lighting system as I would like to use mounting brackets on the tank (don't want to hang anything).
1. 36" current outer orbit 2x150w MH, 4x39w T5, moonlights
2. same as above but 2x250w MH
3. or a similar MH/T5/moonlight fixture
4. 36" current orbit 2x250 MH, moonlights
5. 36" T5 fixture - (T5 is new to me so I need help)
6. LED fixtures (I don't want to spend $1000+ on one but could be worth it? also what fixtures? seems like they are trickling out in the market)

Sorry for my ramble, but I know you guys will help me out! :)
 
I'll make my recommendation, look into the Finnex DL T5-HO fixture, get ATI bulbs for it. It comes with a strip of 1w 460nm LEDs built in that have a hi/low selector switch. On hi mode you will get insane shimmer with good surface agitation. Keep the bulbs changed every 9-12 months and your SPS should stay happy.

A few other members here have seen this fixture over my tank and can attest to how awesome it is. The led really make the corals colors pop. And the ability to mix and match bulb colors to taste can't be beat.
 
great recomendation fishbeard, thanks. I'm checking them out now. The 35" is only a 4x39w is that going to spit out enough par/coverage? Any place online or local you recommend for these? Also, what is the noise like and are their mounting legs for the unit?
Thanks! This may be a good fit :)
 
poidog said:
great recomendation fishbeard, thanks. I'm checking them out now. The 35" is only a 4x39w is that going to spit out enough par/coverage? Any place online or local you recommend for these? Also, what is the noise like and are their mounting legs for the unit?
Thanks! This may be a good fit :)
Click to expand...

Finnex is a local Chicago company. Light coverage is great mounted on a leg kit standing the fixture about 4" above the tank, or like 6" from water surface.

I'm growing birdsnest, pocillipora, stylophora and a piece of purple bonsai under the 4x24w version in my 60 cube between 8-15 inches from the fixture.

Noise is minimal, your skimmer will be louder than the light. It gets warm, but nowhere near MH melt your flesh off hot.
 
Ok, thanks! This sounds like a great choice, and it's a good price on it. The only thing that I need to hear more on this is that is 4x39w T5 enough for my light demanding SPS/clams???

Since I'm new to T5 I know nothing about this.
 
I know it expensive but LEDs would help with heat, electricity cost, bulb cost also. I have them in my tank and have a few Sps that have shown growth and color. I have a diy setup. In these hot days I'm glad i have LEDs. But it all depends on what ur happy with. But I just read on RC u don't want a diy. So mayb a t5 fixture will b good.
 
And u change LEDs out way less often I'm switching the pc lights in my nano to led as soon as I can


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mr_z said:
And u change LEDs out way less often I'm switching the pc lights in my nano to led as soon as I can


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I wouldn't bother on the nano, it'll be long forgotten about before the led upgrade cost has paid itself off. You have enough light with the pc in such a small tank for everything but the most demanding SPS species. Spend the money on corals instead!
 
FishBeard said:
I wouldn't bother on the nano, it'll be long forgotten about before the led upgrade cost has paid itself off. You have enough light with the pc in such a small tank for everything but the most demanding SPS species. Spend the money on corals instead!
Click to expand...

Yeah but then later I can take off the LEDs and switch over if I get a bigger tank and if I need more LEDs I can just add some:-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I am going through a tank upgrade quest myself. I have a 29 gallon biocube and I was told I need to replace my lights every 6 to 7 months. I don't really want to spend $140 a year on lights if they are not great so I started looking for a replacement fixture. I have only had a tank for a 1.5 years so I am by no means an expert, but here is my assessment.

On a nano, LED's are a logically upgrade at the right price. I have spent hours surfing and combing the internet for the best options. From what I have come across, the CREE XPG and XRE 3w Led's are the way to go. A 60W 20 light Cree unit is the equivalent of a 250w metal halide. You have the LED unit with dimmable drivers and you can control then the output level of the lights so you don't burn your corals. The CREE lights also have up to 50,000 hours of usage.

I then narrowed this down to two options. Build by own or find a reasonable price LED fixture.

Option 1) RapidLed.com has very low prices and DIY kits. I can buy a 24 light CREE XPG kit for $185, and then buy the heat sink and controller from them for $70, but the fixture isn't in a housing or case and you have to figure that part out yourself.

Option 2) Buy an assembled fixture. I found a Company called Eshine that has 20 a unit LED CREE XPG unit with dimmable drivers encased in a housing. They are advertising the price as low as $200. These appear to be the same CREE lights that they are selling on EBAY $399. Eshine appears to be tied to the manufacturer, but I am still trying to track this part down, so they very well could be $399 in the end, but I'll find out soon on the pricing.


Anyway, that's my thoughts, but like I said, I havn't been doing this long. My next project after I get the LED project complete is trying to find a somplace that can custom make me a tank for under $100 to put in the stand that I can make a sump out of.
 
I know youre looking at Orphek at the other forum, I found this for you, lowest price I've seen anywhere for Orphek PR156 wide angle optics:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Orphek-PR156WB-...704?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6e7be50

If you want the narrower angle PR156 this guy used it for a day and decided the light spread is too narrow for his big tank, so instead of buying more, he's just selling the 1 he already bought as they are too expensive:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Orphek-PR156B-6...047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bc3b204f
 
Thanks Nino,
Ya, I saw those... the ebay wide is the same price as everywhere else I found them. I'm still not entirely sold on it. check out the thread on RC, there is alot more information and debate going on over there.

The reviews on it has been mixed.... too spotty (even in the wide). I've seen pics that are too white, but then ones that make it look great with no spottyness. Also I heard the usable light drops off significatly from 2" out from the fixture footprint. Orphek is saying 7"..... so the jury is still out in researching these.

I like the idea of the new maxspect mazarras coming out... but again, those are not even out yet, so no hands on reviews.
 
LED is just too new a technology still, and the companies making fixtures are still learning themselves and the prices are still really high for what you are buying. Dont buy into the 50,000 hour+ life on the diodes either, no one has an 11+ year old LED fixture to prove they last that long and still produce useable light. I still say T5-HO is your best bet at this time, there are plenty of people that have no problems growing whatever they want under decent bulbs and you only need to replace bulbs every year or two depending what you keep in the tank.
 
I agree with you fishbeard, but I'm usually an early adapter. Sure, I end up paying more for a less efficient unit, ie 1st iphone ($600), 1st blue ray player ($800)... and of course I no longer have these as I have newer, more efficient, less expensive equipment now. But it's those early adapters you have to thank as they are the people that help open the door wider.

I was really thinking T5s cause i would really want something that runs cooler and quieter than MH (since the fixture will be exposed in the living room - no canopy). I love the way the colors look with T5, but I really love shimmer! I think tanks that don't have that "light play" are missing an element of a true reef. But this is all up to one's preference.

With the LED market changing every other month... who knows what it's gonna bring next.... but that's what makes it exciting.
 
Do you have the bigger tank yet? I actually jumped into the Orphek wagon and ordered one from Aquarium Specialty when they had their July 4th sale. I can bring it over when I get it and we can see how it looks over your new tank, or over your nano with your SPS collection. I should get the fixture in a few days. I waiting for the PR156w with the purple UV LED's which is supposed to make the colors of your corals pop out. Let me know if that will help with your research.
 
Nino - that would be awesome! I'd love to see it in person and especial how the light degree spreads. I'll have the new tank this weekend. I'll be dry but we can see how it works and we can test the colors over the nano and compare to the Radium.

That was the Orphek I was looking at too. How much off was their sale?

I also heavily leaning towards the new maxspect mazarra, which will be more $ compared to the Orphek.

Thanks!
 
Speaking of shimmer.

Its obviously caused by single intense light sources.

The less number of sources you have, and the more you increase intensity, the more the shimmer effect looks.

I have 4 AI sol fixutres, so a total of 96 high powered LEDs over my 150. They definitely cause the shimmer effect but less intense with more shimmering.

Hopefully that makes sense.
 
Poidog, your welcome to swing by sometime to check out my finnex fixture, perhaps seeing what it's capable of in person can help you decide. T5-HO + Royal blue LED accent lights = super sexy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top