Need some help with lighting - Tri-Cities Reef Club Forum

Hort · Veteran Member

RE: Need some help with lighting

leb · Moderator

No I bought heat sinks and a 24 DIY and added 4 to it if u email them and tell them what u have they will assist.

Hort · Veteran Member

Hey Leb you used one of the retrofit fixtures for a biocube correct? My tank dimensions are a bit different witha na open top so i'll have to retrofit the retrofit.

BCSWEENEY · Moderator

Hort wrote:
So I was browsing around, do any of you guys know a good article on LED lighting so I could wrap my mind around it. Rapid LED seems to have some good stuff and pricing compared to others I found but i'm not sure about light saturation and such.

I did stumble across these two fixtures, I know my original post I said no to MH but the price on this fixture is actually better than what I paid for my coralife twin bulb t5.

http://www.aquatraders.com/20-inch-4x18W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-p/52302.htm

and then this one

http://www.aquatraders.com/24in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54261.htm

i will check today and see if i have any of the articles saved i used to visit

leb · Moderator

2 ft squared

-- Edited by BCSWEENEY on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 10:53:13 AM

Hort · Veteran Member

that would be great leb your pushing 28 led over how much water and depth? My biggest questions are how many am I gonna need to string together to grow LPS comfortably.

Hort · Veteran Member

So I was browsing around, do any of you guys know a good article on LED lighting so I could wrap my mind around it. Rapid LED seems to have some good stuff and pricing compared to others I found but i'm not sure about light saturation and such.

I did stumble across these two fixtures, I know my original post I said no to MH but the price on this fixture is actually better than what I paid for my coralife twin bulb t5.

http://www.aquatraders.com/20-inch-4x18W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-p/52302.htm

and then this one

http://www.aquatraders.com/24in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54261.htm

leb · Moderator

I have a 28 bulb DIY from rapid led and I like them. And my coral do to. you are welcome to check them out anytime you want.

-- Edited by leb on Monday 5th of March 2012 10:48:51 PM

BCSWEENEY · Moderator

Check out rapidled.com

Hort · Veteran Member

So I'm highly considering upgrading the lighting on my nano tank. I currently have a dual t5 ho fixture but would like to go up in intensity to make my current coral population happier. I do have some issues.

I despise MH. I think their wattage usage is unacceptable, and the heat they create isn't worth it. Im not attempting to grow SPS all I have in my tank are softies and LPS.

I've narrowed down my choices to either a 4 bulb T5 HO or a LED fixture. My biggest reservation with the LED fixture isn't so much cost but more I don't feel I have a good enough grasp on LED lighting and my wiring/soldering skills to undertake a project like that. I have found some cheaper 4 bulb t5HO with individual reflectors but only the coralife has the additional moonlights which is a big plus. The downfall with the coralife is the price point compared to other fixtures I know Leb had made a LED fixture perhaps he could shed some light on this although if the right 4 bulb t5 came about at the right price I may postpone my LEDs for my larger tank in the master bedroom when I get that honeydo project done.

-- Edited by Hort on Monday 5th of March 2012 01:12:05 AM