Tank Size and Lighting Help

[drwonga]

Hello folks!

I haven't been involved in the hobby for over 4 years, and so much has changed in the nano reef scene. I'm super excited to get back in, but I needed some insight into selecting a tank size and appropriate lighting.

I am very intrigued by the Mr. Aqua rimless tanks, either the 7.8 gallon, 25 gallon cube tanks, or even a 12 gallon long tank. Only problem is, I suck at woodworking...also I have none of the tools to build a stand. So I'm hoping some folks might be able to recommend an appropriate tank stand for whatever tank I choose. I was looking at the JBJ Nano Cube with tank stand, but it seems I could have a similar setup for less if I use some of my existing gear. Additionally, photographing the reef will be a priority for me, so curved glass is a big turn off.

For lighting, I wanted to experiment with LED's. I am looking at creating a red sea or indo pacific softie reef tank. For fish, I'm thinking an orchid dottyback and six line wrasse, or a yellow striped cardinal. Fish selection is completely up in the air right now though. With that in mind, I am really thinking a BoostLED PAR 30 lamp would provide sufficient lighting for the cube tanks. Not so sure about the 12 long though.

Thanks!

[Postyoa28]

Sorry drwonga, I don't think I'll be much help to you, but I'm very interested in the answers you get. I'm in a similar situation with a 10 gal standard tank in my office. It's currently finished cycling and I'm attempting to build up the pop population before any fish go in. I was looking into the LED set up as well, particularly the Marineland Reef Capable LED 18 inch setup. My LFS also suggested the possibility of PAR LED bulbs. I currently run a t5 setup on my 55 gal reef tank at home and have no problem with my softies and LPS corals. Has anyone had any experience with either of the LED set ups or other suggestions? I've never dabbled in LED before so I'm in the dark on this one.

Once again, I'm not trying to hijack your thread/question, but I figured I might as well join in on the conversation since my question is similar to yours.

[hackney]

If you want to go diy led route, id strongly recommend ordering from this site.

http://www.aquastyleonline.com/categories/DIY-LED-Lighting/LED/

Great prices. I was sketchy at first, but several of us did a group buy from them and not a single person has reported any problems. They use meanwell drivers just like rapid, but they use bidgelux leds instead of cree leds.

[Postyoa28]

I think I saw one of the custom builds on the Lighting forum. How involved was the process and how was the cost vs a product of similar size/output?

[drwonga]

I saw some videos from www.rapidled.com which showed the basics. It looks rather simple to do a DIY LED light. The problem I have, is figuring out how to either hang the entire fixture over the tank, or have it resting on brackets. For that 12 gallon long, I think a DIY kit would probably make sense, since you could literally put alternating rows of blue and white right down the middle of the tank. For a cube tank though, I kinda feel like a PAR30 bulb or two, would make the most sense.

[hackney]

I just like diy because you build it exactly how you want it, and at a much cheaper price. For example an AI NANO costs $300. You could build your own 14x3w LED kit for $75 bucks ($100 if you wanted the meanwell drivers instead of the maxwellens, which i would recommend spending the extra $25 bucks). And your diy led will actually have more leds than the AI which only has 10x3w leds.


Kit can be seen here http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/Aquarium-14-LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html

[drwonga]

That is an interesting proposition. I think for the larger tank size I am considering, the 25 gallon, that might be a better solution.

I found that the JBJ Nano Cube stands will fit the Mr. Aqua cubes I want, so I think I am ok with that. Just need to decide on the lighting.

[drwonga]

After some more thought, I think I will go with the 25 gallon Mr Aqua cube, and get a premium kit from RapidLED. I am a bit unsure if the 12 or the 24 LED kit would work best for a softie tank.

[codyreef29]

I'm going to run 7 leds over a 7.5 gallon cube I'll be building my fixture next week and will order my leds tomorrow or sunday. 1 rb 1 b 4 cw 1 nw I have done alot of researching and plan to do mostly softies with lps at the top of my tank with the fixture being 16 above my tank run at 700ma with 40 degree optics you need to learn how to solder (buy a weller soldering iron avoid cheapy ones mine was about $16 and get some solder. watch some youtube and solder. You caqnput a kit together on rapidled or buy a solderless kit that no need for soldering. I've messed with them and they are easy to blow be very carefull I've blow about 20 of them. Which is why I'm going to suggest soldering leds.

[codyreef29]

one power supllie has a min of 3 leds and max at 14. They max dimmable and two diffrent ma models 700 and 1000 14 leds for a 25 gallon softie tank would be fine just keep the fixture up higher. If they need more light lower the light about 100 par per 4-7 inches depending on the amount of leds. alot of people run them at about 60% 700ma is 70% this is why i'm keeping mine 16 inches above the tank..

[codyreef29]

leds have a ma max make sure your not over ma or they will blow. most leds have a max of 1000ma

[drwonga]

Sounds like I should be ok with 12 LED's. Luckily I can solder, so I'm still playing around with the AquaStyleOnline LED's...plus they come with hanging hardware...and a light bracket I like!

[hackney]

If you're going with 12 leds i would do 5 white 5 blue and 2 red

[drwonga]

Will that combo provide a crisp, cool, white?