Returning to Fluval lights - 3 nanos or 2 long bars?

[Barncat]

Hey everyone,

I'm in the process of planning a tank upgrade (from a 30 gallon to hopefully a 90,) and I've decided to return to using Fluval Marine lighting. I originally ran a Fluval Nano Marine 3.0 over my reef back when it was housed in a Fluval Evo 13.5 gallon tank and really liked it but when I upgraded to the 30 I switched to a Nicrew SkyLED which I honestly think my corals and rose bubbletip anemones have really disliked. I remember having beautiful big fat nems - now I'm lucky if their circumference is as fat as a quarter. Also, they were gorgeous! Further, my montipora really hasn't grown much and a few of my zoas can be aptly described as grumpy. So's my torch coral, although my hammers have been happy campers ever since I added two actinic LEDENET bars.

But with my upgrade to (hopefully) a 90 gallon I'm waffling over whether or not I should:

A. Buy two more Fluval Nano Marine 3.0s to go with my existing one, so that I would be running three of them, or -

B. Buy two 48" Fluval Marine 3.0 bars.

Which option would give the best light spread? I have no interest whatsoever in growing acroporas but I do hope to grow some birdsnest or stylophora (plus the monti that I already have,) therefore I have accepted that I'll have to run at least two of these lights. Honestly it was a lot less annoying doing maintenance around the Fluval nano light than it has been doing it around the Nicrew SkyLED light bar but I want to do what is best for my corals!

At this point I won't consider going for a different brand of light. My heart simply remembers the Fluval app with misty longing and I simply cannot afford higher priced lighting anyway.

So what would you do? Is it better to have three smaller lights or is it better to have two long bars?

Thank you for reading!

 

[shcrimps]

in my own opinion t5 is the most bang for buck
sure there’s super expensive sets but others can be pretty cheap
initially low setup
bulbs range anywhere from 10-30$ usually depending on brand and how frequently they need to be swapped on your system
adding your current lighting to a diy t5 fixture can still get you the shimmering effect while getting great growth and spread with t5

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

If you go with the 2 nano 3.0's let me know. I have a couple that are in VGC that I have I can get them to you for cheaper. You might be able to run both styles of lights with the money you save.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Which nicrew light did you have? I just googled the skyled and it is a freshwater light, thats why it didnt work for you. I have a nicrew 100w on my 32 and it grows anything.

I would rethink your strategy, I've never seen a beautiful reef tank where someone uses fluval lighting, ever.

I've never owned this light, but reading on this forum for a a few years now, plus I been in the salt hobby about 17-18 years now, all I ever heard about this light is regret and that it was a waste of money.

If you want budget lights, there are lots of better options that fluval. Just my 2 cents, good luck.

 

[Barncat]

Which nicrew light did you have? I just googled the skyled and it is a freshwater light, thats why it didnt work for you. I have a nicrew 100w on my 32 and it grows anything.

I would rethink your strategy, I've never seen a beautiful reef tank where someone uses fluval lighting, ever.

I've never owned this light, but reading on this forum for a a few years now, plus I been in the salt hobby about 17-18 years now, all I ever heard about this light is regret and that it was a waste of money.

If you want budget lights, there are lots of better options that fluval. Just my 2 cents, good luck.

This reef has some SPS under a Fluval light and looks just fine.
Post in thread 'Fluval Marine reef 3.0 review'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fluval-marine-reef-3-0-review.487421/post-5690017

It's not so much a strategy so much as a 'I am disabled and unlike most people on this forum I absolutely cannot spend $600 on one light because I'll be paying for this with my yearly tax return which I need for more things than just my hobby which helps me get up in the morning.'

Also I live in Canada where everything costs twice as much as it does Stateside. Ignoring the brand of light that I intend to use, can you please answer my actual question? The one about using a light bar or two versus multiple nano lights? I'm thinking that the bar is better (more wattage and light spread,) but I have no idea.

 

[Barncat]

If you go with the 2 nano 3.0's let me know. I have a couple that are in VGC that I have I can get them to you for cheaper. You might be able to run both styles of lights with the money you save.

Thank you!

 

[Barncat]

in my own opinion t5 is the most bang for buck
sure there’s super expensive sets but others can be pretty cheap
initially low setup
bulbs range anywhere from 10-30$ usually depending on brand and how frequently they need to be swapped on your system
adding your current lighting to a diy t5 fixture can still get you the shimmering effect while getting great growth and spread with t5

I'm extremely curious about T5s because they really do seem like a great viable alternative option but I haven't been able to find good information about where I can buy a fixture here in Canada so I kinda keep running into a brick wall when it comes to them. Every website I look at here just seems to have the bulbs with no fixtures available. I'm also pretty concerned about T5s becoming defunct technology and in a few years not being able to find bulbs for my reef anymore potentially.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I'm extremely curious about T5s because they really do seem like a great viable alternative option but I haven't been able to find good information about where I can buy a fixture here in Canada so I kinda keep running into a brick wall when it comes to them. Every website I look at here just seems to have the bulbs with no fixtures available. I'm also pretty concerned about T5s becoming defunct technology and in a few years not being able to find bulbs for my reef anymore potentially.

You are correct with your concerns. The modern T5 is actuality the AI blade. Unlike other lite bars, the way the blades are made it is more of a diffused fill, like a fluorescent bulb. I run AI blades in a combination with radions on my reef tanks.

 

[Barncat]

You are correct with your concerns. The modern T5 is actuality the AI blade. Unlike other lite bars, the way the blades are made it is more of a diffused fill, like a fluorescent bulb. I run AI blades in a combination with radions on my reef tanks.

I did a bunch of research yesterday after reading your comment and the only place I could find a T5 fixture is either importing the ZooMed Aqua one from the US (literally the only fixture actually meant for aquariums that I could find,) or buy a reptile one (T5s still seem quite popular in the reptile hobby for supplying UV, probably because LEDs that do it are still in their early days.)

I worry because the reptile fixtures don't seem to have any waterproofing or resistance at all (although maybe that's what the retrofit kit I keep seeing at JL Aquatics and Reef Supplies is for?!)

Would using a solid acrylic or glass lid over the tank eliminate a lot of the concern for waterproofing making the use of a reptile T5 fixture okay?

I like how long T5 bulbs seem to last; that's a huge relief!

T5s do seem like an extremely good affordable option for me but for the lack of fixture issue. With the change in government in the US (certain president elect promising super high tarriffs,) and my current severe lack of finances I might not be able to get the ZooMed fixture. I'm not sure how to make a non-water resistant T5 fixture water resistant. I think the ZooMed fixture is also the only one that I've seen that has space for two T5 bulbs in it; none of the reptile fixtures do which makes sense since they are designed for a single UV bulb. With their highly reflective nature (due to the UV provision purpose,) though perhaps their reflectivenesd would somewhat intensify the T5 bulb's light?

I've never seen a used T5 fixture come up for sale here in Canada; it does seem like T5s are falling out of favour in the aquarium hobby.

 

[Barncat]

This is the very poorly explained T5 fixture retrofit kit. I'm very confused by it and it looks too technical for my abilities. https://www.jlaquatics.com/fixtures-and-retrofits/let-lighting-t5-retrofit-kit-2-54-watt.html

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I did a bunch of research yesterday after reading your comment and the only place I could find a T5 fixture is either importing the ZooMed Aqua one from the US (literally the only fixture actually meant for aquariums that I could find,) or buy a reptile one (T5s still seem quite popular in the reptile hobby for supplying UV, probably because LEDs that do it are still in their early days.)

I worry because the reptile fixtures don't seem to have any waterproofing or resistance at all (although maybe that's what the retrofit kit I keep seeing at JL Aquatics and Reef Supplies is for?!)

Would using a solid acrylic or glass lid over the tank eliminate a lot of the concern for waterproofing making the use of a reptile T5 fixture okay?

I like how long T5 bulbs seem to last; that's a huge relief!

T5s do seem like an extremely good affordable option for me but for the lack of fixture issue. With the change in government in the US (certain president elect promising super high tarriffs,) and my current severe lack of finances I might not be able to get the ZooMed fixture. I'm not sure how to make a non-water resistant T5 fixture water resistant. I think the ZooMed fixture is also the only one that I've seen that has space for two T5 bulbs in it; none of the reptile fixtures do which makes sense since they are designed for a single UV bulb. With their highly reflective nature (due to the UV provision purpose,) though perhaps their reflectivenesd would somewhat intensify the T5 bulb's light?

I've never seen a used T5 fixture come up for sale here in Canada; it does seem like T5s are falling out of favour in the aquarium hobby.

I am not one for adding a lid on my tanks due to the lack of air exchange. Most of the led fixtures may have moisture resistance, but that is it. A T5 bulb will only last a year, so you might have to stock up if you want it for the long term. You should send a email to fragbox corals in toronto, they may have a lead on a fixture.

 

[Barncat]

I am not one for adding a lid on my tanks due to the lack of air exchange. Most of the led fixtures may have moisture resistance, but that is it. A T5 bulb will only last a year, so you might have to stock up if you want it for the long term. You should send a email to fragbox corals in toronto, they may have a lead on a fixture.

I will do that, thank you! Yeah, I was thinking of stocking up. I can't see T5s remaining on sale for long.