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View Full Version : 180 gal build.....LIGHTS????


letzfly
07/04/2009, 06:46 PM
if you were building a 180 gal mixed reef what lights would you put on. I do not want to use a hood so the lights would need to be hung in a fixture or come in their own hood. ive got recomendations from friends but I want to use something that will work the first time around and not have to upgrade later......lol. thanks in advance.

Lightsluvr
07/04/2009, 07:35 PM
I'm prejudiced, but I have enjoyed the Current USA Outer Orbit Model 1079 system - 3x250W HQI, replaced stock with 14K Phoenix. The outer Orbit includes T5 actinic...which I be-bulbed with T5's recommended by Grim Reefer on the T5 Q&A forum.

JMHO.

LL

letzfly
07/04/2009, 07:40 PM
I am going back and fourh between t5 and halide and someone even recommended leds from an LFS.....color and health is more important to me then growth rate.....I love polyps and lps, however there are a few sps I want as well,,,,so for someone who wants everthing what the best way to go.....so if you could have any lights on a 180 what would your dream lights be?

letzfly
07/04/2009, 07:42 PM
sounds good i am going to check it out...thanks

letzfly
07/04/2009, 08:18 PM
I have seen in some of the other threads the de bulbs have dead spots/hot spots and se bulbs cover better...... I was thinking of 2 se higher kelvin bulbs and supplementing with some lower kelvin t5's ....this would also be lower on electricity...oh yeah I am hoping not to run a chiller. But I dont know if I can put that together!

Larry Waughon
07/04/2009, 10:10 PM
Aquactinics T5 Constellation 72" Series


http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_111_112&products_id=1184

mpoletti
07/04/2009, 10:13 PM
What is your price range?

I note for the giesemann Spectra ;)

SMOOTHIE
07/04/2009, 11:36 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15305408#post15305408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I'm prejudiced, but I have enjoyed the Current USA Outer Orbit Model 1079 system - 3x250W HQI, replaced stock with 14K Phoenix. The outer Orbit includes T5 actinic...which I be-bulbed with T5's recommended by Grim Reefer on the T5 Q&A forum.

JMHO.

LL

+1 I have seen the same combo in person and the growth, par, heat and ease are awesome.

letzfly
07/05/2009, 12:37 AM
the geiseman is vry nice and that is pricy....but is it that much better than the others recommended for half price?....the aquatinic t5's look very nice but any body here using them or seen them on a tank...so far I have 2 good recomendations for the current usa!

Jflip2002
07/05/2009, 09:32 AM
For a 72" 180.... What about the ATI Powermodul 8x80 ($1240) or the 10x80 ($1469) plus about $175 shipping from ReefGeek. They offer a Sunpower fixture also, but it only comes in 6x80w, which would be fine if you only kept SPS up top. That thing is real affordable at $730 at reefgeek.

AquaBison
07/05/2009, 04:31 PM
Here's (http://fishneedit.com/250w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html) an option for cheap 250w pendants. If you WOULD get it, be sure to replace the bulbs. They are as cheap as they get, and I know somebody who had the same fixture, and where the bulbs connect burnt up due to the jittery currents the bulbs cause.

letzfly
07/05/2009, 06:08 PM
hhhmmmmm........those are cheap.....but I do not want to upgrade my lights later and I dont know about the quality of the reflectors/ballsts, but I do like the flexibility of havng 2 250 halides and adding t5,s to the fixture and still look nice.....I still leaning towards the first 2 recommendations

Uncle Luke
07/05/2009, 06:51 PM
Man oh man, Geiseman Infinity is a sweet fixture.