WMAS Discussion Forum : Help with Lights http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:49:05 +0000 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:53:36 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=62415 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Help with Lights : If you&#039;re looking for a general...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508832&title=help-with-lights#508832 Author: chris.rogers
Subject: 62415
Posted: February 25 2013 at 11:53am

If you're looking for a general rule of thumb, a good place to start would be to examine some of the commercially available LED setups that are targeted for a tank your size.

Just be sure to compare total wattage per LED; some people get a lot of LEDs and put less power in them and some people get fewer LEDs and put a lot more power in them.
]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:53:36 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508832&title=help-with-lights#508832 <![CDATA[Help with Lights : General overview:T5Pro - little...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508831&title=help-with-lights#508831 Author: chris.rogers
Subject: 62415
Posted: February 25 2013 at 11:52am

General overview:

T5
Pro - little heat, cost effective power bill, with "enough" bulbs you can grow just about any SPS or even have clams.
Cons - Bulb replacement cost.  Once a year, $20 per bulb.  (Or $15 if you get them on sale.)  Some configuration control over color, but not a whole lot.

LEDs
Pro - On the whole, the cheapest of all setups to run (in terms of power bill), LEDs last several years before needing to be replaced, crazy amount of color configuration.

Con - Not every LED fixture is the same, so it can be tough to judge how good yours is compared to another.  It's usually best to get a fixture with a known LED, either a Cree or Philips Luxeon.  DIY is cheapest but can be tough if you're nervous about electronics.  Still a lot of anecdotal evidence as to how many LEDs, how bright, etc...

For what it's worth I have a DIY LED setup over my 12 gallon and I love how much light it puts out.  I used Philips Luxeon LEDs from www.stevesleds.com
]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:52:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508831&title=help-with-lights#508831 <![CDATA[Help with Lights : Thanks for the feedback guys....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508821&title=help-with-lights#508821 Author: 80cent
Subject: 62415
Posted: February 25 2013 at 11:17am

Thanks for the feedback guys. Follow up question-- how do I know how much light I need? I don't know what types of coral I'll be growing, but I'm wondering if there's a general rule for wattage or light spectrum required for a certain tank size. Thanks again!]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:17:24 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508821&title=help-with-lights#508821 <![CDATA[Help with Lights : 80cent wrote:I am new to...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508787&title=help-with-lights#508787 Author: ClownFishAddict
Subject: 62415
Posted: February 25 2013 at 9:24am

Originally posted by 80cent 80cent wrote:

I am new to the forum. I've been lurking for a while, but there are a few things I could really use some help with. I have never done a salt water tank before, but as I am finally finishing my basement, I'm going to have one really soon. The issue is that I currently have 46 gallon bowfront-- something I thought was huge-- and I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with that or get something in the 90-120 gallon range.

First, if I did stick with that 46 gallon tank, what would you recommend as far as lights go? I've been loving the floating canopies I've seen around, but I'm not clear on the pros/cons between T5s or LEDs. What about something like this: (http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Aquarium-Lighting-Fixture/dp/B000F5M2JW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3K4SH4FN4DHT4&coliid=I1EIQ01PEHGBU)-- would that work?

Second question. If I did get a larger tank (90-120 gal,) what would you suggest at that point? Thanks!


A 46 bow front will need more light (depending on what you have in there) to grow any corals than the Coralife Aqualight fixture you were looking at. if you keep a watchful eye here on the board you can find lights that will work for you used and cheaper than buying new. as for LED's I recommend them as they last for a long time and have proven to be a great lighting solution to the reef tank hobby.
]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:24:31 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508787&title=help-with-lights#508787 <![CDATA[Help with Lights : If you start with LEDs they will...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508770&title=help-with-lights#508770 Author: Fatman
Subject: 62415
Posted: February 25 2013 at 8:35am

If you start with LEDs they will move over to the larger tank.  You'll just need to add additional units to get the coverage.  There are a lot of people changing over to LEDs and lots updating them to get the latest features.  This brings a lot of high-end LEDs to the forum classified at a reduced price.  They are popular enough to hold their value well so I don't expect to see the price be a "steal" at this point.

One issue with buying someone's used ones is matching them later when you set up the bigger tank. 

Fat
]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:35:17 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508770&title=help-with-lights#508770 <![CDATA[Help with Lights : I am new to the forum. I&#039;ve...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508758&title=help-with-lights#508758 Author: 80cent
Subject: 62415
Posted: February 25 2013 at 7:44am

I am new to the forum. I've been lurking for a while, but there are a few things I could really use some help with. I have never done a salt water tank before, but as I am finally finishing my basement, I'm going to have one really soon. The issue is that I currently have 46 gallon bowfront-- something I thought was huge-- and I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with that or get something in the 90-120 gallon range.

First, if I did stick with that 46 gallon tank, what would you recommend as far as lights go? I've been loving the floating canopies I've seen around, but I'm not clear on the pros/cons between T5s or LEDs. What about something like this: (http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Aquarium-Lighting-Fixture/dp/B000F5M2JW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3K4SH4FN4DHT4&coliid=I1EIQ01PEHGBU)-- would that work?

Second question. If I did get a larger tank (90-120 gal,) what would you suggest at that point? Thanks!
]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:44:33 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62415&PID=508758&title=help-with-lights#508758