Fluval Spec* Tank Lighting Suggestions...

[ryangrieder]

So, I'm setting up a baby 2 gallon fluval spec tank for my girlfriend. Fluval claims it's reef ready to go with their 30 white LEDs or whatever amount on it. I call bull*#%. It's not going to cut it and color will look horrid im sure. So, what do you say I should do for lighting? I want and plan on doing LEDs, but I can't figure out a fixture that is good enough for a mini reef, but not too much to bleach corals out, and at the same time not look stupid big over the little tank. I was thinking PAR 38 bulb, but was told by MA today that they will probably bleach out anything that's a little high. so, what do you guys think? Remember, it's only 2 gallons...

 

[rkaragozler]

I think if you put the par's up high enough ( like an adjustable architects lamp light) it should be fine, the only thing is you will have a lot of spread of light over the tank.

 

[ryangrieder]

That's what I was thinking. But, which par bulb because I see soooo many different brands. Some of them have no spread, and some have crazy overkill angle reflector spread... Then some like the main nano in MA has a par bulb, with little LEDs in the middle. Not the basic 7 or so circle lens with LEDs. There par bulb they said would be overkill and bleach everything out...

 

[rkaragozler]

take a look at wingo's par lights they were 1 watter and had par values at different distances.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/wingo-led/95350-par-series-led-reef-bulbs.html
NEW MODEL PAR 38 IN STOCK 12x1W
Dimmable and 3 Spectrums of light plus REMOTE
4 x 12,000K Super White
4 x 450nm Royal Blue
4 x 460nm Standard Blue
Remote control of single color or mixed color
E26/27 (standard light bulb screw on socket)

Available in Pacific Aquarium in Manhattan NY

07/12/11

 

[aznt1217]

Dude, a PAR bulb is going to look weird man it's the size of the tank lol.


Check this out

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydra_Aq...ures-Hydra_Aquatics-AZ2111-FILTFILDTN-vi.html

 

[ryangrieder]

Something like that would be awesome!..... If it had more actinic supplement or if it's possible to take out the LEDs and wire in some Crees. I might be able to use that though as the body.. Hmmmmm

 

[rkaragozler]

Something like that would be awesome!..... If it had more actinic supplement or if it's possible to take out the LEDs and wire in some Crees. I might be able to use that though as the body.. Hmmmmm

I agree, with a light spectrum of 9500k, I don't know it would work.

 

[Bryceandmandy]

It will be plenty of light, in fact at that spectrum youll probably see a relatively large amount of growth. Color on the other hand could be easily supplemented by a true lumen 3 led accent strip. Ive seen them as reef tanks and they look great if done right