lighting a 48x48

[flyyyguy]

ok..........a new one coming.

I have never tried to light anything wider than 30"......so looking for experienced input on lighting a tank 48x48...20 tall

The only things I know is I will be using at least 2-250w SE's in either LIII's or LIII minis depending on how I do the rest.

My initial thought is the 2-250's running up the center side to side, and then a couple strips...maybe even just one strip on each side of that. This is going to be a polyp dominated tank, so absolute perfect coverage is not that important to me. I want good coverage, but some gaps in the great overage is actually a goal. If it wasnt, I would probably just throw up 4 full size III's and call it perfect. I have no experiecne using T-5's either, and think I might like the potential color control if I included them.

thoughts?? How would you do it, or better yet, how have you done it if you are pleased with your result?

[Jar*Head]

I ran 4 lumenarc mini on my 4x4 cube with 250w and 400w. You can get away with just one Sfiligoi XR6 with 400w MH. I run 3 x 400w with Sfiligoi Exaggerate pendant on my tank and it cover the tank from end to end. Here is pic of my tank with just 2 light.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/NgoSH0311/New%20tank%20design/DSC02430.jpg

[flyyyguy]

thanks for the reply

this is for a polyp dominated system, and only 20" deep so I certainly do not need more than the 250's.

4 lum minis would certainly cover it well, but as I said, I wouldnt mind some gaps as well as lots of polyps do better in less.

That picture you provided me with just the two actually looks pretty dang good and much like what I want to accomplish as there are some darker spots. I have no experiece with T-5's, always been a halide guy. I think it might be nice to throw a strip of t-5's on each side and get some more color control, as well as the tank will be viewable on three sides. ever play with t-5's on that tank??

[Jar*Head]

If the tank is polyp dominate, i would go with 2 Lumenarc and 250w MH and couple T-5. You can build a light rack out of aluminum from Homedepot.

[flyyyguy]

I will be hanging the lights as you are. is that frame pictured there out of aluminum from home depot??

got a build thread by chance that showed you making them. It looks great and I have no problem copying that :)

so my initial thought of the two halides and a single t-5 on each side sounds pretty good to you it appears no??

[Jar*Head]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15025210#post15025210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flyyyguy
I will be hanging the lights as you are. is that frame pictured there out of aluminum from home depot??

got a build thread by chance that showed you making them. It looks great and I have no problem copying that :)

so my initial thought of the two halides and a single t-5 on each side sounds pretty good to you it appears no??

I did not build the light rack (no way :D). I come up with the design and my friend John build it for me. You can get the L shape aluminum from Home depot and revet them together. I think 2 lumenarc and 2 retro T-5 is perfect... I do have a build thread but everything is already done i just have to put them together. I can come up with ideas all day long but i am not handy

[flyyyguy]

Im not all that handy either truth be known but I am very persistent :)

This is actually going to be my first display build. James has built my last couple of custom tanks but Im doing this one start to finish. going with a 1" true eurobraced an a external toothless C2C just like my 240 sps tank. :D

[turtleman9100]

I am running two 400 mogul base over my 48X48X30 cube. Mine's acrylic so, I have opening in the bracing for only 2 lights. lights the who;e tank with no problem though.

[Jflip2002]

I had a 400w Radium in a Lumenarc over my 36x36x20. It covered nicely, with no dark spots. I had it a good 12" off the water, so thats why I Went with the 400w, rather than a 250w. 48x48 is difficult. Id run a pair of the 250w in a Lumenarc (since their spread is better than the LB or LM) and a couple T5s where needed.....

[iiiiiiivvvivii]

I would choose option one for a 20" deep tank plus sand. You would have total color control.


4 150 HQIs. 8-48" ICECAP'd T5s. 1240 watts.

2 250 HQIs. 8-48" ICECAP'd T5s. 1140 watts.

2 250 HQIs. 4-48" ICECAP'd T5s. 820 watts.



4 250 HQIs. 8-48" ICECAP'd T5s. 1640 watts.

4 250 HQIs. 4-48" ICECAP'd T5s. 1320 watts

[Jflip2002]

You could get away with just 4x250w SE for 1000w...

[flyyyguy]

unless I got in a accident that left me mentally impaired I will never use sand again so the tank is truly 20" deep :)

I dont like HQI's.

so far Im pretty stuck on the 2 t-5 retros and the 2-250's for what I am trying to accomplish with this system. I want some gaps, If i didnt its a no brainer. 4 lumenarcs is a perfect fit. this tank is acrylic too turtleman but there will be no cross braces