light change up (1 Viewer)

[cstewart79]

I am changing my lights due to the fact that my canopy makes it about impossible to work on my tank. Currently I have 2 250 watt MH with 4x54 watt t-5. I am thinking of going with a 8-16 54 watt array. What would you recommend. My tank is 4 foot long 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep. I keep a mixed reef tank.

 

[cstewart79]

also who would you buy from and what manufacturer would you go with for the fixture. I tend to be a sunlight supply guy.

 

[Guest]

How wide are you willing to go?

I would usually recommend ATI for anything over 7 bulbs, but sunlight supply has those new fan cooled TEK Elite fixtures that look pretty nice.

If you were okay with 7 bulbs I would recommend Aquactinics Constellation or their Solar Flare which are really nice.

Are you okay with losing the MHs, or do you want to keep a hybrid fixture?

 

[cstewart79]

I have 36 inches of tank width and I am willing to fill a lot of it up if necessary

I am ok losing MH, all in all I might be able to ditch my chiller too!!

 

[AquaNerd]

would you consider a retrofit setup? if so, you could cram your hood full of bulbs and it would be a little cheaper than buying a fixture.

but if you're dead set on a fixture, you could do mount a pair (or even a trio) of sunlight supply sunblaze 44 fixtures.

there's also a giesemann matrix. one model even has 12 bulbs. giesemann also has a pre-built retrofit that seems pretty nice (http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/t5-razor-lights-hanging-options)

there's a ton of options. just depends on how you want to do it.

 

[cstewart79]

I really want to ditch the canopy so i can get my dang arms in the tank. I also want to let out some of the heat

 

[cstewart79]

The question is how many bulbs do I really need. I have 750 watts now. I would love to go with less maybe like 540 watt and ditch the chiller.

 

[flexrac]

3cc has a 6 or 8 bulb tek light for sale, contact brian.

 

[Guest]

If you really want to get your hands in the tank freely, how about hanging some ATI fixtures?

 

[AquaNerd]

yeah, i love the ati fixtures too. my only other choice would be the giesemann matrix (because you can have a ton of bulbs)

 

[cstewart79]

it is an option to hang the light but I think I will do something with feet. There is a ceiling fan right above the tank which will get in the way wires. Option B is bending some sort of pipe and mounting it to the back of the stand and suspending the lights from that. I like the ATI lights and the giesemann too but I can get more bang for my buck with sunlight supply.

 

[crvz]

with the three foot width I'd probably do at least 10 bulbs, though preferably 12.

 

[cstewart79]

since my tank is 4 long and 3 wide I am thinking of going 8-12 4 foot 54 watt bulbs

 

[crvz]

I had eight 54W T5 bulbs over my 60"x24"x24" tank, and it was just right. I wouldnt have done fewer.

 

[cstewart79]

Update..I decided to go with a 12 54 watt bulbs. I am working with 3CC to get everything in.

Thanks for the input and look for my rebuild thread coming soon.

 

[cstewart79]

Update..I decided to go with a 12 54 watt bulbs. I am working with 3CC to get everything in.

Thanks for the input and look for my rebuild thread coming soon.

 

[dougiefresh]

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to see the rebuild.