Those with 30"/36" deep tanks (Lighting question)

cstires · 07/24/2017, 09:51 AM

I'm having a tank built that will either be 30" or 36" deep. I want to light the tank with metal halide and reefbrite LEDs for the actinic.

What fixtures are you all using to get the proper light spread for those widths?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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marinelife · 07/24/2017, 09:55 AM

My tank is 30" deep but I am using LEDs, cheap Mars Aqua ones. SPS grow under them and have great color.

cstires · 07/24/2017, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinelife

My tank is 30" deep but I am using LEDs, cheap Mars Aqua ones. SPS grow under them and have great color.

I've had LEDs in the past and just never was pleased with the growth rates. I had Radions. This was probably 5 years ago or so though.

I'm not totally against them, but I really like the look and growth rates I had gotten from my MH's.

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marinelife · 07/24/2017, 10:06 AM

I ran MHs years ago with out issue. Radions will work great for you. I would say 400 Watt is what you will want

d-man · 07/24/2017, 10:49 AM

I'm using same fixtures at 43" deep tanks. Again great growth and cheap

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinelife

My tank is 30" deep but I am using LEDs, cheap Mars Aqua ones. SPS grow under them and have great color.

gavinbree · 07/24/2017, 10:53 AM

Have LEDs on my 27 cube, have no issues with growth or colour but getting the right power settings can be difficult with a deep tank, top will be very bright, bottom very dull. That bring said mine are currently at 15% white and 80% blue and will nuke new corals if I'm not careful in where I place them.

Also worth mentioning that 400watt metal halides will put out a crap ton of heat so hope you have a decent cooling system in place.

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cstires · 07/24/2017, 11:07 AM

When I said deep, I meant width. The height of the tank will be 24". Just wanted to make that clear so we were all on the same page.

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cstires · 07/24/2017, 11:09 AM

How is the ease of setup on those Mars units? Are they similar to the EcoTech Radions?

I do love the fact that LEDs don't produce heat like MH's do. I just want to make sure they'll be able to give the spread I need and provide the correct light needed to make SPS grow like my MH's did.

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gavinbree · 07/24/2017, 11:20 AM

Don't have the Mars unit but something similar, very easy to set up with remote, bit of pain in the *** with the control knob on the light unit.

Pic of the tank to give you idea of the light spread, excuse the glass needs cleaning.

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cstires · 07/24/2017, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinbree

Don't have the Mars unit but something similar, very easy to set up with remote, bit of pain in the *** with the control knob on the light unit.

Pic of the tank to give you idea of the light spread, excuse the glass needs cleaning.

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And what are the dimensions on your tank?

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gavinbree · 07/24/2017, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstires

And what are the dimensions on your tank?

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27x27x27

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chris o · 07/24/2017, 04:13 PM

I am currently working on a build that is 72x45 deep x 30 tall and went with 6 radions and my tests have come out good so far. I will throw in that you should always go with the bigger size ��.

Chris

DrDNA · 07/24/2017, 04:37 PM

Tank is 36" deep. Have four aquatic life halo led fixtures , two 165w BML led strips, and two 150w 6500k outdoor rated led fixtures (They were like $75 on Amazon). Here pics without the 6500k fixtures:

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cstires · 07/24/2017, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris o

I am currently working on a build that is 72x45 deep x 30 tall and went with 6 radions and my tests have come out good so far. I will throw in that you should always go with the bigger size í*½í¸€.

Chris

How did you space them out? My tank is looking to be 48x36x24. I'm wondering if 3 would be enough to light it?

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crimsonblue · 07/24/2017, 08:19 PM

Is your tank bare bottom? Or just a dusting of a sand bed?

cstires · 07/24/2017, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crimsonblue

Is your tank bare bottom? Or just a dusting of a sand bed?

It's not up yet, but I think I'm going to go with sand this time. It just looks more natural to me.

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subbedout · 07/25/2017, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinelife

My tank is 30" deep but I am using LEDs, cheap Mars Aqua ones. SPS grow under them and have great color.

I have very similar lights. What are you setting the blues and whites at, and for how long? Growing SPS with those is impressive!

marinelife · 07/25/2017, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbedout

I have very similar lights. What are you setting the blues and whites at, and for how long? Growing SPS with those is impressive!

100% with great par readings

zaireguy · 07/25/2017, 09:53 PM

Not to high jack the thread but i have a 8 ft 300 gallon would i need 4 or 5 of the mars/evergrow? Trying to decide which ones to use for lps and spa
thanks

m0nkie · 07/25/2017, 10:11 PM

I have the ATI hybrid 8 bulbs for my 30" deep tank. Works great. I have the T5 on 70% and LED on 30%.

Water line ~450 - 500 par
Mid tank ~300
Sandbed ~180

cstires · 07/26/2017, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0nkie

I have the ATI hybrid 8 bulbs for my 30" deep tank. Works great. I have the T5 on 70% and LED on 30%.

Water line ~450 - 500 par
Mid tank ~300
Sandbed ~180

That's an interesting idea actually. How's your sps growth?

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garrettm · 07/26/2017, 07:22 AM

I'm running 2 400w Radiums over a 60x36x24 and liking it a lot. Actually got them from someone here on RC

cstires · 07/26/2017, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garrettm

I'm running 2 400w Radiums over a 60x36x24 and liking it a lot. Actually got them from someone here on RC

What fixture/reflector are you using? How's the spread?

Are you having any issues with heat?

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garrettm · 07/27/2017, 10:12 AM

I am running Luxcore 250/400w ballasts with mogul halide bulbs on lumen bright large reflectors. The actual bulb is about 14" off the top of the water the the spread is really good.

I have the tank in the garage and live in southern California so the heat is somewhat of an issue for me but i have a chiller to offset If you are keeping the tank inside and running a fan across the top between the water and the halide you shouldn't have any problems. It just depends on a lot of factors.

photo 0D396D3A-ECB4-4FF7-8900-A48ADA6EFD07.jpg

cstires · 07/27/2017, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garrettm

I am running Luxcore 250/400w ballasts with mogul halide bulbs on lumen bright large reflectors. The actual bulb is about 14" off the top of the water the the spread is really good.

I have the tank in the garage and live in southern California so the heat is somewhat of an issue for me but i have a chiller to offset If you are keeping the tank inside and running a fan across the top between the water and the halide you shouldn't have any problems. It just depends on a lot of factors.

Did you build the rack that holds the reflectors?

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07/24/2017, 09:51 AM	#1
cstires Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 1,143	Those with 30"/36" deep tanks (Lighting question) I'm having a tank built that will either be 30" or 36" deep. I want to light the tank with metal halide and reefbrite LEDs for the actinic. What fixtures are you all using to get the proper light spread for those widths? Thanks in advance for your help. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/24/2017, 09:55 AM	#2
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	My tank is 30" deep but I am using LEDs, cheap Mars Aqua ones. SPS grow under them and have great color. __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

07/24/2017, 10:06 AM	#4
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	I ran MHs years ago with out issue. Radions will work great for you. I would say 400 Watt is what you will want __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

07/24/2017, 04:37 PM	#13
DrDNA Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Loomis, CA Posts: 1,152	Tank is 36" deep. Have four aquatic life halo led fixtures , two 165w BML led strips, and two 150w 6500k outdoor rated led fixtures (They were like $75 on Amazon). Here pics without the 6500k fixtures: Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk __________________ O O o o O O o o o o o o O <º)))>< <º)))>< <º)))>< <º)))>< Jeff Current Tank Info: 300g and 540g on one system, 165g sump, lifereef VS3-72 skimmer, LED lighting

07/25/2017, 09:53 PM	#19
zaireguy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bucyrus,Ohio Posts: 2,311	Not to high jack the thread but i have a 8 ft 300 gallon would i need 4 or 5 of the mars/evergrow? Trying to decide which ones to use for lps and spa thanks __________________ have you been touched by a angel? My life was for ever changed when my daughter was born my wife and I have come to a new understanding! I don`t ask and she doesn`t have to say no anymore Current Tank Info: 300 gallon main tank,70 Gallon sump,70 gallon remote sump, reef octopus 300- 12 inch skimmer, skimz Biopellet reactor

07/24/2017, 10:53 AM	#6
gavinbree Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 167	Have LEDs on my 27 cube, have no issues with growth or colour but getting the right power settings can be difficult with a deep tank, top will be very bright, bottom very dull. That bring said mine are currently at 15% white and 80% blue and will nuke new corals if I'm not careful in where I place them. Also worth mentioning that 400watt metal halides will put out a crap ton of heat so hope you have a decent cooling system in place. Sent from my SGP512 using Tapatalk

07/24/2017, 11:07 AM	#7
cstires Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 1,143	When I said deep, I meant width. The height of the tank will be 24". Just wanted to make that clear so we were all on the same page. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/24/2017, 11:09 AM	#8
cstires Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 1,143	How is the ease of setup on those Mars units? Are they similar to the EcoTech Radions? I do love the fact that LEDs don't produce heat like MH's do. I just want to make sure they'll be able to give the spread I need and provide the correct light needed to make SPS grow like my MH's did. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/24/2017, 11:20 AM	#9
gavinbree Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 167	Don't have the Mars unit but something similar, very easy to set up with remote, bit of pain in the *** with the control knob on the light unit. Pic of the tank to give you idea of the light spread, excuse the glass needs cleaning. Sent from my SGP512 using Tapatalk

07/24/2017, 04:13 PM	#12
chris o Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Magnolia Texas Posts: 64	I am currently working on a build that is 72x45 deep x 30 tall and went with 6 radions and my tests have come out good so far. I will throw in that you should always go with the bigger size ��. Chris

07/24/2017, 08:19 PM	#15
crimsonblue Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18	Is your tank bare bottom? Or just a dusting of a sand bed?

07/25/2017, 10:11 PM	#20
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	I have the ATI hybrid 8 bulbs for my 30" deep tank. Works great. I have the T5 on 70% and LED on 30%. Water line ~450 - 500 par Mid tank ~300 Sandbed ~180 __________________ 560gal in the making

07/26/2017, 07:22 AM	#22
garrettm Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 222	I'm running 2 400w Radiums over a 60x36x24 and liking it a lot. Actually got them from someone here on RC

07/27/2017, 10:12 AM	#24
garrettm Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 222	I am running Luxcore 250/400w ballasts with mogul halide bulbs on lumen bright large reflectors. The actual bulb is about 14" off the top of the water the the spread is really good. I have the tank in the garage and live in southern California so the heat is somewhat of an issue for me but i have a chiller to offset If you are keeping the tank inside and running a fan across the top between the water and the halide you shouldn't have any problems. It just depends on a lot of factors.