Lighting Questions to finish my tank!

[rort]

I am currently cycling a 150g tank with refugium and going to be transferring my 55g stock over once ready. As of now I have no lights that will be able to transfer over so I feel I should make the switch and upgrade the lights!
- The tank will be a FOWLR for a couple of months
- plan to upgrade to corals in the future
I have been reading post and the Lighting 101 but want recommendations!
The tanks measures 60" length 24" width
I'm not sure of my options or even where to look but I have have been thinking about possible doing 2 pendant fixtures and hang them from the canopy?
Or doing a DIY and making a fixture to hold the bulbs completely across?
Would love any and all feed back!
Thanks!

 

[wangotango]

Do you have a canopy? The selection of fully assembled 60" fixtures isn't that great so a retrofit is probably your best bet.
If you're going halides then three 250w with a decent reflector or two 250w with luminarcs would be fine. Whether you use actinic supplimentation is up to you.
-Justin

 

[rort]

I have a huge canopy that gives me a lot of room above the tank.
After looking at the MH I am gonna say that it is more than far out of my price rang.
Looks like I will probably be investing in some PC. I believe the DIY for setting up lights is referred to as Retrofitting?
I have found a couple on Marine-Depot but what brands better?

 

[wangotango]

Yes, DIY lighting is usually referred to as retrofitting.
PC will be fine for FOWLR, but only soft corals (and LPS towards the top) once you start a reef. I've never used them before, but Current is proably one of the better brands.
-Justin

 

[rort]

Thanks Justin,
After spending the day doing more research I was able to find a used Current USA 60" Orbit for a great price!
Thanks for your help!

 

[aquaguy24]

have u checked out the nova extreme pro T5's..it has individual contuored reflectors..which is awesome for the price..very bright but won't give u the shrimmering affect that MH's do..but heat will be less of an issue with t5's

 

[vt4lifecuf]

yep T5 all the way

 

[rort]

I have been seriously looking into the Current USA Orbit PC's. They have a nice one perfect 60" with 4x65watt, dual Daylight and dual Actinics, with 5 moonlight LEDs
What do you guys think?

 

[mopar9012]

Originally Posted by rort
http:///forum/post/2719363
I have been seriously looking into the Current USA Orbit PC's. They have a nice one perfect 60" with 4x65watt, dual Daylight and dual Actinics, with 5 moonlight LEDs
What do you guys think?
I think once you start getting into corals, you will regret getting that system.
Some people dont like to go by how many Watts you have, but thats only 260Watts over 150 and you would like to get into corals in the future. Most people have the 4x65watt lights over something like a 55 gallon.

 

[rort]

hmm well thats good to know...

 

[mopar9012]

It would be a nice light for just the tank, but not very powerful for a 150 gal reef tank.
Have you looked into T5 retrofit kits?

 

[rort]

Originally Posted by mopar9012
http:///forum/post/2719519
It would be a nice light for just the tank, but not very powerful for a 150 gal reef tank.
Have you looked into T5 retrofit kits?
- Yes I have looked but really haven't found anything that has jumped out at me. All the Retrofit seem to have a lower voltage and fewer bulb capacity. I guess I am just still getting confused.
I have been told that the PC would work if I wanted to do certain corals but not everything. I am not trying to go crazy with lighting with the MH but just give me light to do some corals.
With not the largest budget and a 150g 60" that can be retrofitted, what would any of you guys recommend?

 

[mopar9012]

what is the most you would like to spend?
What if you were to get a use 250Watt MH retrofit kit right now, then maybe later when you want to start corals get another....Im just throwing out ideas

 

[rort]

I am trying to keep it under $350 as of right now. I know that we should look at watt's but I should be shooting some where around 400-500watts?

 

[aquaguy24]

lower wattage T5's with individual relectors have waaay more light output then most pc's with highter wattage for about the same price...i'd just wait to save more money to spend on a good light system so u won't have to upgrade later..u'll save a lot more money that way...that pc fixture ur looking at on a 150g is really only good for fish only..ur just throwing ur money away when u already know u want corals..

 

[rort]

I have to thank you guys for your help. Or else I would have just gone with the PC's. I have decided to go with the 48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture. I have found a used set of them on another forum for a great price! Any experience with them??
The main reason I am trying to steer clear of the MH is not just the price but also the electrical bills, as I live in a house with 3 other guys and don't want to jack the bills up too far...

 

[aquaguy24]

congrats on the find..the tek lights are great...and u'll steer away from having big heat issues aswell..

 

[rort]

The deal is good but only for 4 lights (that i will need to replace in the near future).
SOOOOO now I need to start the search on where to find a good price for the lights for it. Any recommendations for 48"-54W T5's??
and I should add what is the best setup for the 8 lights? 4-10k and 4 actinicts?

 

[mopar9012]

Congrats, Im doing the T5 lighting over my tank. Im not sure what mixture of bulbs Im doing yet so I cant reall help you out.
Mh lights can be on the loud side to....T5s arent

 

[aquaguy24]

t5 has the options to really play with the bulbs to get the look u want. its totally up to u..u can try 4 12k, 2 420 and 2 460 atinics. this will give u a blueish tint...i have 2 420 and 2 460 atinics with 2 10k 250w MH..my tank looks white...10k and below is best for growth. 14k and higher is better for looks...