Lighting opinions please

[GCamp13]

Since I don't understand all I know about lighting and corals, I'm throwing some questions I have out for discussion. My first tank is a 75 gallon, 48 inch tank. Corals that I have in it are Zoa's, Musgrooms, Xenia, Tree Leather, Kenya Tree, Yellow Polyps and Button Polyps. I also have some Frogspawn, Duncans, and some Acan Frags. Planning to add some Ricordea Mushrooms, Toadstool and maybe a Chili Coral. What lighting would you recommend? Halides? T5's? Compacts? Also how much light?

Second tank will be a 20 gallon long tank setup as a frag tank. Pretty much the same corals and maybe a birdsnest and a few other SPS.

All opinions appreciated.

 

[walkerbrody]

If you are intrested in diy, for 175w halides magnetic m57 ballast and mogul sockets can be found cheaply (m58 for 250w, and m59 for 400w). Reflector material is also easy to find. It is easy to wire and cheap bulbs can be purchased for $20-$30. You can build your own dual 175w mh system for under $150 prolly under $100. If you decide to buld one and need any help with it, send me a message.

 

[GCamp13]

Do you think I would need Halides? We are almost neighbors by the way.

 

[gar732]

I personally wouldn't do halides because of the heat issues that come with them. I would suggest a 4 bulb T5 fixture with some ATI bulbs. It will be just fine for all that you have now and if you decide that you want to try sps it will support that too just keep them in the upper half of the tank. A 6 bulb fixture would be better but it depends on your budget. People seem to like the tek fixtures and they aren't too expensive especially it you can pick one up used. If you've got the cash go ATI they are supposed to be one of the best.

 

[walkerbrody]

You can get by without halides for sure. Ive never had a problem with the heat. I used one 175w on a 29 gal with no issues. I use a canopy with a large computer fan on each side blowing out. T5's with individual reflectors are probably a more efficiant option, but i've always used metal halides.


We are close. Yall have any damage from the tornadoes? The one through ohatchee came less than a mile from my house. I bet its rough up your way.

 

[GCamp13]

First one in am came right over us and took down pecan trees, crushed storage bldg. Could have been alot worse. Think I am going with a 6 bulb T5 on my 75 but undecided on the 20 frag tank because I want some SPS in it, I may go Halides. Where would be best place to get parts to build?

 

[walkerbrody]

the ballast are pretty easy to find. They are used in home/parking lot lights. You can usualy find them on e bay or craigslist. There is a store in guntersville called mikes merchendise you can usually find them there. The mogul sockets are there also. I have 4 m58 ballast here im not using right now. I think 250w will be too strong for anything you might need.

 

[GCamp13]

I know where Mike's is, how about reflector material?

 

[walkerbrody]

I purchased some from a local fish store. I think I read a post where someone cut open a skylight reflector tube they bought at lowes. Shouldn't be too hard to find something that will work.

 

[gar732]

First one in am came right over us and took down pecan trees, crushed storage bldg. Could have been alot worse. Think I am going with a 6 bulb T5 on my 75 but undecided on the 20 frag tank because I want some SPS in it, I may go Halides. Where would be best place to get parts to build?

You can grow sps just fine with T5s. I had a four bulb ebay fixture with individual reflectors and ati bulbs over my 75 gal and I got pretty decent growth. Check out this thread https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/45918-some-progression-pics.html As far as the heat goes, I personally can't do halides with out running a chiller which I don't want to do. I'd through T5s over both of them or better yet get some LEDs for the frag tank, that's what I did. I like the LEDs the best and am planning to do a DIY LED/T5 fixture for my 75.

 

[pickupman66]

For a 75 growing what you are wanting, you can do just fine with t-5's or LED. I would NOT do halides. my previous tank was just as you describe. I ran a 440 watt vho kit on mine and grew anything I darn well wanted. SPS, LPS, softie. that small ammt of water will heat up pretty easily. I ran my tank up to 82 in the summertime. look at my current build thread and you can see that old tank.

I have halies on my 180 now and heat is an issue. I hope to be able to go to LED in the next year.

 

[nlandgraf]

If you are looking to build your own, I would consider going LED. The cost for LED has dropped considerably.

 

[walkerbrody]

I have 2 400w halides on a 90 gal. My bulbs are 10" above the water with a fan on each side of a fully enclosed canopy and no chiller in alabama. My water never gets above 78. I keep my house around 73 so im sure that helps. T5's or leds are more efficiant options, but halides are easily possible without a chiller or heat issues.

 

[swannyson7]

On the 75, you'd be able to get away with halides, T5s, or LED without any problems. If you decide to go with Halides, make sure you have ventilation fans in place and you can probably get away without running a chiller. A couple fans blowing over the sump will also help keep the tank down, prefereably run off a controller to kick on when the tank temp gets too high. However, If you don't run an air conditioner, halides will most likely cause heat issues in the summertime as the temp rises in your home. As for the frag tank, I'd look into a diy LED setup. The prices have come way down and it will allow you to keep anything from SPS to softies.