Suggestions for Light on 30 inch tank (1 Viewer)

[irish02bk]

I'll be setting up an ELOS 70 system and looking to get some inputs on lights.

Been thinking Maxspect, Ecotech, AI.

I would like to stick with LEDS or maybe and LED/T5 combo.

I will most likely being doing SPS but may have a few LPS in the tank.

 

[BEAV9900]

I am very happy with my AI hydras and t5 strips. Could look into a AI Hydra or Vega and 24"t5 bulbs. Ive also seen people gut the inner bulbs out of a 6 or 8 bulb fixture and just use the outside 2 or 4. gives it a cleaner look

 

[cheezybuda]

If you decide to go with the Maxspect, I have a 27" 16k version that I would part with for cheap.

 

[irish02bk]

I am very happy with my AI hydras and t5 strips. Could look into a AI Hydra or Vega and 24"t5 bulbs. Ive also seen people gut the inner bulbs out of a 6 or 8 bulb fixture and just use the outside 2 or 4. gives it a cleaner look

Yea i want something clean looking as this will be at the office, but i don't want to gut something apart. wish they sold a reasonably priced T5 LED combo.

 

[BEAV9900]

do you know how you are going to suspend or support the lights? jw as this may lead to a suggestion

 

[irish02bk]

do you know how you are going to suspend or support the lights? jw as this may lead to a suggestion

I was thinking of something that will sit on the tank, (back prefered) I can't do anything from the ceilings.

 

[BEAV9900]

30" 346W Metal Halide System Advance Plus

http://www.aquatraders.com/30in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54262.htm


Could go "old school" metal halide

 

[irish02bk]

30" 346W Metal Halide System Advance Plus

http://www.aquatraders.com/30in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54262.htm


Could go "old school" metal halide

haha, thinking of sticking to LED, maybe t5

 

[nox.rupaw]

I'll be setting up an ELOS 70 system and looking to get some inputs on lights.

Been thinking Maxspect, Ecotech, AI.

I would like to stick with LEDS or maybe and LED/T5 combo.

I will most likely being doing SPS but may have a few LPS in the tank.

Since the tank is essentially a cube how about 2 Hydra 26? you'd get some great coverage that way. Plus your PAR in the center of the tank would be a little higher for your SPS, and on the sides the lower par would support your LPS.

Price wise, 2 of these i think come up to the same price as 1 Hydra 52

AI has some decent hanging options e.g. Hanging Kit, mounting rails, and mounts that can screwed to the back of the tank even....

 

[David Grigor]

If your wanting to be SPS dominate and LEDs only, I'd really shy away from the puck/array style LEDs, You really want a grid of LEDs that span pretty the entire length and as much width as possible. The puck style with concentrated leds really is going to be an issue as the SPS mature and shade not only itself but other corals. If you want to go with this style your going to need more fixtures to provide some overlapping coverage or add T5 supplements. A professional led t5 combo fixture isn't going to be cheap. If you have any woodworking or diy skills you could make something nice to hide T5 retros with the LEDs.

I suppose you can always startout with 1 such as the Hydra 52 or ecotech but don't be surprised if as your corals turn into colonies you have to add a second.