Lighting Advice? 24x24x12 shallow Tank

[dohcef9]

Hello everyone.. Like the title states I am currently looking for advice on which kind of lighting to use.. I want a mixed reef tank from soft coral to lps, and sps. But I am stuck on which light to choose..

I considered (ATI 4x24w SP, Tek Light 4x24w) or 150 to 250 watt Metal Halide.
With the lighting I really want to have my corals pop with color but also want good growth.

Please any input will be appreciated Thank you very much.

[gumbii]

you will get more pop for your buck with t5's... you can't match the versatility of bulb combinations to metal halide...

[Majority_Rules]

If you're still in the planning stage, hit a few reef shops near you (where are you located?) and find a tank with lighting you really like. It's impossible to get an impression of what a tank really looks like from pictures on a forum, videos are a little better, but still not that accurate. And don't settle! Spend the money up front and you'll save money in the long run because you'll end up changing hardware until you get what you originally wanted anyways.

[dohcef9]

you will get more pop for your buck with t5's... you can't match the versatility of bulb combinations to metal halide...

between the 2 t5 fixture I chose.. (ATI or Tek Light) would you say they are almost evenly matched?

[gumbii]

If you're still in the planning stage, hit a few reef shops near you (where are you located?) and find a tank with lighting you really like. It's impossible to get an impression of what a tank really looks like from pictures on a forum, videos are a little better, but still not that accurate. And don't settle! Spend the money up front and you'll save money in the long run because you'll end up changing hardware until you get what you originally wanted anyways.

this too...


they're both pretty cool... but i would want to replace the bulbs with some ATI bulbs and like a fiji purple or a coralwave... go to the lighting forum... there some guys on there that really know what they're talking about... lol...

[dohcef9]

this too...


they're both pretty cool... but i would want to replace the bulbs with some ATI bulbs and like a fiji purple or a coralwave... go to the lighting forum... there some guys on there that really know what they're talking about... lol...

so do you think the Tek light fixture with ATI Bulbs will be ok? for sps and other types of coral

[gumbii]

i really can't tell you buddy.... i don't own t5's... my friend does, and he's never going to anything else now... he has a 8 bulb with 6 ati blue+, 1 fiji purple and one coralwave from wavepoint... great color and ALOT of POP...

[gumbii]

i really can't tell you buddy.... i don't own t5's... my friend does, and he's never going to anything else now... he has a 8 bulb with 6 ati blue+, 1 fiji purple and one coralwave from wavepoint... great color and ALOT of POP...

[gumbii]

how did this happen...?


and why can't we delete our own post...? this is like the only forum that does it...

[bvysochin]

Our frag tank is that exact size. We have a 250w MH and a pc actinic mainly for when the halide is off. MH and PC are about 6-8" above the water surface. We have everything and it all thrives in there especially sps! We used PC just because we didn't have 24" T5s at the time. :) But they work great none the less. Hope this helps.

[OC CJ]

I'm in the process of setting up a 22x22x14 mixed reef and went with the Maxspect 110w LED.

[DivineStler]

I'm in the process of setting up a 22x22x14 mixed reef and went with the Maxspect 110w LED.

+1 sort of... :rollface:

24x24x12 with EcoXotic LED fixture. Looks great over my tank. Definitely more towards the 12-14k than 20k color though. Not sure if you're looking for more blue or white spectrum in your tank. Also worth noting... a 14k MH will produce better growth than a 20K.

[scrapz]

ati sunpower

blue+
actinic+ or blue+
Aquablue Special or blue+ if using actinic+ in 2nd row
Blue+

[dohcef9]

thank you guys for all the input..I've narrowed it down to running the ati 4x24w or Solana Pendant with radium 20k.. what do you guys think ? between the 2

[scrapz]

thank you guys for all the input..I've narrowed it down to running the ati 4x24w or Solana Pendant with radium 20k.. what do you guys think ? between the 2

if its a 150w, no to the radium. It seems more like a 14k bulb.

[pciscott]

In my opinion the ATI Sunpower or Powermodule put out more light than a Tek fixture. I also like T5HO for color and the fact that you can run a longer light cycle to enjoy your tank. I have a Frag tank I am just finishing setting up that are your same dimensions with a 24" 4 bulb powermodule if you would like to take a look. I have 2 60 gallon tanks I have been using to grow out coral for a new system I am building one with T5HO and one with a 250 watt Radium on a lumenArc Mini reflector. The shimmer is nice, but the colors pop on the corals better on the T5 setup. I run 2 bulbs on the T5 from 930am to 1030pm and the other 2 bulbs from 1030am to 830pm. With my halide tank the light comes on at 2pm and goes off at 1030pm. I like the T5 system much better and my new system will be all T5. If you are close to Cypress, you are welcome to take a look to see the color. I run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI AquaBlue special, and one KZ Figi Purple. I just tried a Actinic White Bulb in place of the Figi Purple (cost less and is supposed to be the same color) in my 60 Gallon and I think I will say I like the Figi Purple much better. Leds are for sure the future, but cost and color options are not to my taste although the AI leds have some pretty cool features.

[dohcef9]

In my opinion the ATI Sunpower or Powermodule put out more light than a Tek fixture. I also like T5HO for color and the fact that you can run a longer light cycle to enjoy your tank. I have a Frag tank I am just finishing setting up that are your same dimensions with a 24" 4 bulb powermodule if you would like to take a look. I have 2 60 gallon tanks I have been using to grow out coral for a new system I am building one with T5HO and one with a 250 watt Radium on a lumenArc Mini reflector. The shimmer is nice, but the colors pop on the corals better on the T5 setup. I run 2 bulbs on the T5 from 930am to 1030pm and the other 2 bulbs from 1030am to 830pm. With my halide tank the light comes on at 2pm and goes off at 1030pm. I like the T5 system much better and my new system will be all T5. If you are close to Cypress, you are welcome to take a look to see the color. I run 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI AquaBlue special, and one KZ Figi Purple. I just tried a Actinic White Bulb in place of the Figi Purple (cost less and is supposed to be the same color) in my 60 Gallon and I think I will say I like the Figi Purple much better. Leds are for sure the future, but cost and color options are not to my taste although the AI leds have some pretty cool features.

I might have to take you up on that offer are you free today?

[dohcef9]

So I believe I've made my decision ATI Sunpower 6x24w so I can get good coverage.. any bulb combo recommendation?

[gumbii]

is this a frag tank...? or your main DT...?



frag tank i would want a full spectrum for color and growth...


but for a DT tank, i would want more pop.... 4 ATI blue+ bulbs, one fiji purple and a coral wave by wave point... or if you feel that's too much pink get a true actinic+...

[dohcef9]

is this a frag tank...? or your main DT...?



frag tank i would want a full spectrum for color and growth...


but for a DT tank, i would want more pop.... 4 ATI blue+ bulbs, one fiji purple and a coral wave by wave point... or if you feel that's too much pink get a true actinic+...

Its going to be my main DT I was thinking the 4ATI blue+ 1 Fiji Purple and 1 ati Aquablue.. maybe change up 1 of the ati blue+ for something else but dont know what..

[dohcef9]

Do you think the 6 bulb ATI fixture will bleach some of my corals?

[Spssteven]

I have a 250 watt halide over mine it doesn't.

[dohcef9]

I have a 250 watt halide over mine it doesn't.

Oh Okay I just wanted to make sure.. that's pretty much my only worries

[dohcef9]

Let me know whats up about that mag drive alright Steven.

[Spssteven]

I will I'm just buddy right now, I'll let you know

[dohcef9]

I assume you meant "busy" lol.. but yeah just hit me up man..

[dohcef9]

Anyone Know how big of a pump I need for my 30g tank.. my sump is about 3 feet below.

[Spssteven]

My 2x2x1 had the 9.5 on it.

[dohcef9]

My 2x2x1 had the 9.5 on it.

How was the flow in the tank steven? current was too strong was it?

[dohcef9]

I am just scared that water might be splashing everywhere lol..

[Spssteven]

It is ok, no splashing I have two returns with 3/4 inch eductors on the too. You also might want to add more flow with a mp10 or koralia if you plan to keep sps.