Light for a 110 gallon tall aquarium?

[swingindemon]

I am interested in a new light for my 110 gallon tank. It is only 4 feet long because it is a tall tank. 30" deep to be exact. I have been looking at the Tek 8x54W T5HO fixture. How would this fixture work in that tank? What would be my limits? Anemones? Hard or soft corals? Any advice or feedback would help greatly! Thanks!

 

[culp]

for a tank that tall you would probably need to use two icecap ballast to overdrive the bulbs.

 

[swingindemon]

LOL! I truly appreciate your response but I have absolutely no idea what you just said. I am new to the "lighting" lingo. With the setup I originally posted what would be my limitations? Recommendations? Any other help or imput would be great! Thanks everyone!

 

[westwind77]

I have the same tank and needed to upgrade my lighting from old 75g CF fixture because of the extra depth. After countless posts on here, and talking to different 'experts' it was concluded that I needed Metal Halides. (This is my specific situation because I want to be able to keep any coral I want in the tank) I was told even the T-5's do not have the punch needed to keep some for the more light demanding corals. In any case I went with the Coralife Aqualight Elite 48" Fixture (2x250w Metal Halides & 2 96w CF). A certain site had them for sale 1/2 off and I could not go wrong. This is the system...
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/produc...ite-series.php
(since that is a product only site, no sales, i figure it is 'safe' link to post here'
My avatar shows the tank, well a while back before more additions, with that light.

 

[swingindemon]

Thanks. I am unsure how much I will be getting the corals that are extremely light sensitive. What about anemones? Do they requre MH's? I am looking for a good all around light but intense enough I can keep some corals and anemones. Any other comments, input or recommendations?

 

[flower]

If you have the money, get MH lighting, it will save you cash in the end.
I can see by how you mentioned anemones that you are going to want good lighting. You sound just like me.
I have gone through 4 different kinds of lights...In the end MH is the best for being able to keep anything you want.
So just get the kind of lights that allow you to get and keep anything you may want now, and in the future.
The cheap come out expensive when it comes to lights in this hobby.
Happy Reefing!

 

[wangotango]

There is no reason why the T5 will not work, but IMO you are going to want more power than the TEK will give you.
If you have a canopy, then a retrofit is probably the best way to go. The Icecap retro with 6-bulbs would work fine and allow you to keep whatever you wanted.
-Justin

 

[swingindemon]

8x54 Tek = 432watts That isn't enough light? What is the rule of thumb on light? T5's? MH's? Etc...
Hey, I'm learning here...

 

[wangotango]

It's not that that isn't enough light, it's just that the reflectors in the TEK are not as good as they could be, and the fixture does not use active cooling which increases light output.
-Justin

 

[swingindemon]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2998617
It's not that that isn't enough light, it's just that the reflectors in the TEK are not as good as they could be, and the fixture does not use active cooling which increases light output.
-Justin
Pleae explain. If you don't mind. What is "active cooling" and what are better reflectors. It says they have fans. I am just trying to sort all this stuff out. Point me in the direction you think I need. I am willing to ask questions, listen and learn. Thx...

 

[teen]

plan your equipment around what you want to keep. dont keep what you might be able to keep alive because you cheaped out on the equipment.
i had a 110 high and i was planning on running two 400w halides. if i was you, i would run two 250w DE halides.

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by SwinginDemon
http:///forum/post/2998625
Pleae explain. If you don't mind. What is "active cooling" and what are better reflectors. It says they have fans. I am just trying to sort all this stuff out. Point me in the direction you think I need. I am willing to ask questions, listen and learn. Thx...
Unless there is a new version of the TEK out, I don't think they have built-in fans. T5ho have their highest output within a certain temperature range. In a fixture without fans the output will be significantly lower than on a fixture that has fans.
If you still want a fully-assembled fixture check out the six-bulb Aquactinics Solarflare or the six-bulb ATI Powermodul. These are probably the best fixtures on the market. Both have an active cooling system that removes the hot air out and away from the fixture, and reflectors that have a better finish (98% I think). With the right bulbs I would be willing to bet that the PAR from these would be comparable to a typical 250w halide setup.
-Justin

 

[culp]

at reef geek you can buy a 48" 8x54W SLR T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs with normal T5 ballast for $599
and 48" 8x54W SLR T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs with two icecap 660 ballast. both of those you should be able to keep any thing under

 

[swingindemon]

I found a 12x54 (648w) T5 HO light from scouring the internet. Should that be enough light in a tank with 30" depth for an anemone and some corals?

 

[westwind77]

Originally Posted by SwinginDemon
http:///forum/post/2999140
I found a 12x54 (648w) T5 HO light from scouring the internet. Should that be enough light in a tank with 30" depth for an anemone and some corals?
12!?!? I have seen a lot of 6 & 8's but not 12, well not in a 48" light. What company makes the light? How wide is the light? The 6 & 8's I looked covered the majority of the tank, did you look to see if that 12 will overhang the sides?

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by SwinginDemon
http:///forum/post/2999140
I found a 12x54 (648w) T5 HO light from scouring the internet. Should that be enough light in a tank with 30" depth for an anemone and some corals?
Who makes the fixture?
The 8 or 10-bulb ATI powermodul would also be a good choice.
-Justin