In Need of lighting suggestions.

[Bori]

Hello everyone. I'd like some imput and suggestions regarding lighting please. I have a 110 gal fowlr with some mushrooms and softies running for approximately 7+ years. The lighting is a DIY retro which consists of 2-175w 14k MH bulbs and 2- 40w no 10k florescents(sp), I bought the ballast and transformer used, around 10 years ago so it's not as energy efficient as a new one would be. This lighting seems fine for the corals I have at present but I would love to take the next step into lps and sps that I've seen so many of you keep. My dilema is that the tank is so deep (30") that I would need more intense lighting than I currently have. The fixture is suspended 9" from the tank top. What would you suggest for this type of setup. Bare in mind that $$ is an issue. My last ConEd bill was nearly $400.00 and at least 1/2 of that comes from my tank. Can you suggest any fixtures that are high in intensity and low on monthly expense. Forgive me if I'm asking the obvious, but bare in mind that I have come along way from my undergravel filter and Aquaking HOT power filter of yester-year Thanks for your time and imput. --Rob--

 

[ZANYMASTER]

You can always go T-5 or PC to lower your bills.Softies and mushrooms don't need intense lighting.Increasing the flow benefits the deeper tank as well.

 

[Bori]

Thanks, but flow wasn't ever an issue and I've had success under the current conditions with the corals I do have. I'm really looking into getting into the lps and sps and I know it's inadequate as is. I love the look of the MH's I have. Would T-5's give me the same intesity? And if so how much is recommended?

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Since your corals are used to the MH lights,I would stick with them.Nothing brings out the beauty like MH lighting does.Aquatinics makes these nice over the tank fixtures in MH and in T-5.Won't heat your water.Expensive though but well made.

 

[tosiek]

T5's u will get you close to the same intensity (with alot of bulbs) and be able to throw it down 30" but you will have to run alot more bulbs and probably run u the same amount on your electric bill. And most people recommend MH if you want to keep SPS as T5's, although its been done, is really pushing the limit on SPS. Its usually PC/T5/VHO for LPS, softies and some of the easier SPS, and MH if your going acro's and the likes.

If you get a reflector and a ballast it should run u a little over 200$ + buying a bulb for each fixture in MH, T5's a icecap retro kit for 48" is gonna run 350 for 2 bulbs. 400$ or so for a T5 hanging pendant style light 48" with 5 bulbs.

 

[Bori]

Thanks Zanymaster, I agree 100% re the MH. Tosiek, if I stay with the MH. Taking into account I have an 18"x48 footprint to work with and 12" clearance. What would you (or anyone else) change in regards to the wattage and # of bulbs in the MH and combined with what other type of bulb for it to be enough? So your talking about $750.00 for an upgrade?

 

[tosiek]

If you change your saving yourself alot of money on your electric bill. If not your giving your money to the electric company when u can take that money and put it towards new lights. I don't know the situation.

You can run 2 MH fixtures over the tank and have enough light spread and it be more than enough for any coral you throw in the tank. Some people like to suppliment the Mh with a flourescent bulb to give the corals more kick which isn;t needed but makes it look better. Either T5 or VHO. But yes, an upgrade is going to run you close to 600-700$ once you buy everything retro. If you buy a fixture, depending where its gonna cost u the same or more. The good fixtures cost you though. if your good with electrical work, and its going inside a existing hood you can go retro kits and wire everything yourself saving yourself some $$. Also probably get better reflectors for the MH in retro lumenarcs too than whats available in the fixtures.

 

[tosiek]

Before you buy anything, you need to descide if your going to run LPS or LPS/SPS. Its the main desciding factor on what you buy. Check our premiumaquatics.com or any of the other sites that sell aquarium equipment, look at the prices and get an idea of whats out there. Then come back here and ask peoples experiences on items or brand names. Its an expensive upgrade so shop around and research.

 

[masterswimmer]

Hey Rob, sounds like you've had some good success with the system you're running. Congrats. Taking the next step to some harder to keep coral, LPS & SPS will require a change in lighting as you've eluded to.

T5 lighting is fine for a tank up to 20", maybe 24" deep. The linear source of light just doesn't provide the penetration you'll need to adequately provide light to the more light demanding animals at the bottom of a 30" deep tank.

Running two 250w MH's will get you closer to your goal. A 30" deep tank would ideally be suited for 400w MH's, but that isn't necessarily required.

Going with a retro kit won't save you much $$. Believe it or not, an all in one fixture will probably cost about the same (maybe less) and not require the labor to wire and mount. Like Tosiek said, running the MH's with actinic supplementation would be a good suggestion. However, 'ala carte' DIY retro's with that configuration will cost as much as an all in one fixture.

BTW, I've been running T5's for over four years and MH's too. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to both. Evaluate your needs and the desired end result you'd like to accomplish then we can make sound recommendations as to the direction you should consider.

Russ

 

[Bori]

Great advice guys. Thanks. Time to do some more research and see what exactly I'd like to keep and what's best for my particular situation. When I'm ready I'll be sure to pick your brains again. That's what I love about this hobby, no matter how long you've been boing it and how much you think you know, there's always THAT much more to learn. Good looking out, Fellas.
--Rob--