54gal Corner tank question (lighting options).

[sboice]

Can anyone with a AGA 54gal Corner tank tell me what the available options are for lighting?

I got the tank with the 30" AGA HO 55watt light. I would like to upgrade to a good amount of light (VHO?) and ACTINIC lights.

 

[olgakurt]

Seems like one 400 watt Metal Halide would work great on that tank.
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1980 recession

 

[sboice]

At this time I cannot go with a MH setup. The cost isn't a problem its the heat, and electrical requirements that cause me concern.

 

[olgakurt]

you said good amount of light, that's why I posted MH. What are you looking to keep in the tank? How many watts were you thinking (electricity)?

I have MH on a 20g and heats not a problem with one fan in the hood, in fact the heater runs too often IMO.
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lost tv show

 

[bashcraft]

You're wasting your money if you try and use anything other than a MH on that tank. There just isn't enough room for a lot of bulbs.

Bob

 

[scavdog]

I have the 54 AG. I to am using a CSL 175 watt prism pendant which has 2x 28 watt pc. There is no heat issue. It runs extremely cool and you just plug it in and go. The pendants are the perfect size for the shape of the tank. I recommend leaving the top of the tank open as well.

 

[beemert]

i also have the 54g aga corner.
i have 4x55w PC made by hamilton.
they are 22 inches long and in an abs housing. the housing is 25x9 (i think)
2 switches and 2 plugins control the bulbs in pairs.
1 fan
i removed the glass and replaced it with the egg crate for ceiling lights.
oceanic sells a matching canopy for this tank and hides everything.
bruce

 

[sparkyee]

I have the same tank. I use 2 55 watt pc's
in the front and 2 28 watt pc's towards the
back "corner". I made my own hood by making
a top plate out of 1/16" thick aluminum. I then
attached the sides with screws to the plate. The sides are made of 1/2" x 6" poplar boards from H.D.. The ballasts are remotely run in a metal box behind the tank. I also kept the glass cover.
Two fans one on each side are 24v run in series do
I get half speed. very quiet!

 

[sboice]

Thanks olgakurt. I do want a good amount of light, however due to the perscieved costs of MH and the fact that I must retain the glass canopy coupled with the fact that I cannot hang a pendant style MH bulb I figured I needed to go with a VHO setup.

 

[Roach]

I have the 92 G corner tank. I am going to be putting one 400 watt light with 2 X 32 watt acnitcs over the tank. I went with a Prizm Pendent from Custom Sealife. I am going to make some legs for it either out of wood or rubber and set this right on the glass canopy. The prizm pendents are very nice. They come with a fan on the inside and there's room to add another fan if you want. It has the acinics in it as well. The whole thing including bulb cost me $486.00 through ReefGeek.com. You can check out the hoods at CustomSealife.com

 

[kervina]

sboice,
What are you looking at keeping in the tank?

With all due respect to those who will tell you you have only one or the other option, without knowledge of your goals for the tank, it is hard to say what you will require for lighting.

Since you stipulate that you cannot go MH, you will probably not be able to keep SPS very well. Soft corals, on the other hand are another story. You might look at the lengths of some of the power compact lights and sort of draw a diagram of what ones you could fit where based on their sizes. (Don't forget a place to get your hands into the tenk!)

You can probably keep a really nice soft coral or semi-reef tank with power compacts. If you are looking at a fish only or fish only with live rock for atmosphere/filtration you can probably do quite well with normal or high output flourescents.

Decide what you really want to keep, and base your lighting on that. You will probably be very unhappy if what you can keep is determined by your lighting rather than the other way around.