[karnivor]

Hi Guys,

Some opinions please.

I'm going to set up a 3x3x2 reef tank up. I'm trying to assimilate a deeper reef of 10-30mtrs, so I dont think I will need massively intense light, but spectrum will be all important as I want to encourage some azoos, lps and deep water acro's.

I'm undecided which way to go. My choices so far are an 8x39w t5 luminair or a 2x150w + 2 Actinics MH luminaire. my problem with MH is getting the spectrum right. I'm not sure that 20k will be truly representative of that depth.

Its an awful long time since I last targeted LPS etc, so i'm more than a little rusty.

How do you think I could best assimilate such a depth and does the intensity sound right for that depth. Ive never been deeper than my knees in the sea so I dont really know how it looks.

Tony.

[ben]

the 8 x t5's will give you more scope for adjusting your spectrum but you wont get the ripple effect, which will be a shame.

[karnivor]

Do you think that 8 X 39w T5 will be enough to light a 3x3x2 sufficiently to grow LPS and possibly deep water SPS?

[ben]

imo yes

[chriss]

I thought you were after a lower lit deeper water environment? I would have thought 6 or even 4 good tubes would have been enough.

Chris

[karnivor]

thats exactly what i'm after chris, but How dim is dim?

From what i'm hearing 30mtrs may be blue, but it isnt that dim.
I need a holiday in the maldives with a par meter and a spectrometer.

Tony.

[lindsay]

What type of lps are you looking at keeping tony?.Looking at the above i would go the 250w halides on 14k or 20k possibly dimmable ballasts.

[karnivor]

I did think about halides but TBH, I dont think I will get the right spectrum. Ive looked at lots of bulbs and none of them hit the spot.

In terms of LPS, well, Acans, Torches etc, but would also like to be in a position of having some Azoos in there, so I need a spectrum that will discourage algae. Deep water is also less contrasty, so T5's would give me that softer light that occurs at depth.

I'm considering either 8 Actinic+ bulbs or 7 and 1x14k.

Tony.

[lindsay]

Take a quick look at some of the tanks on Manhattan reefers,may give you a few new ideas .

[karnivor]

Will do.

[dylan]

mate the 39w lights will be plenty i have x39 over a 4 ft tank and monti's are growing fast , for me it would be x2 15k whites x3 pure actinic x3 actinic + will be perfect

[Marcus Watts]

It looks like its me going to say this But for viewing enjoyment blue leds as a moonlight phase will show far more colour from many of the lps's. Acans will glow with more intensity, torches & hammers flourece (sp?) My favia is a 'kryptonite filled alien tortoise' and the cataphillia tips are like a sea of little pink leds.

omg this is like poetry

Dylans shop tank has them too - very eye catching even with the shop lights are on - imagine how good it is when the shop is dark too - come on Dlyan - late nite opening with the lights off !!!!

[karnivor]

Oh Marcus, if only you knew

[lindsay]

This may give you some ideas


http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-t...0g-shallow.html

[dylan]

there is very little between the actnic plus and those leds in all honesty for colour having used them both, there both great with all the other lights of the t5's win hands down when it comes to a par reading, u do get a nice shimmer with the leds and a much smaller lecki bill the choice is your's my man