greech
05/09/2013, 09:32 PM
When I stared in this hobby 5+ years ago I swear lighting choices were so much easier!!!
I am looking to light a 48"x24" 120 gallon. The main focus of this tank will be a carpet anemone (haddoni) and my 5 year old pair of B&W clowns. Corals will be a handful of chalices, couple of favia and scolys as well as a couple of millis and photosynthetic gorgorians for height. I do not want this to be a jam packed reef since I want the majority of real estate to go to the eventual carpet.
Lighting options I am considering are:
36-inch 6 bulb ATI Sunpower + some kind of LED light strip
36 inch 4 bulb ATI Sunpower + 1 or 2 LED strip(s) - Not sure if this will be enough lighting or if I will be unhappy with lack of T5 color options.
I am worried that I will not be able to add LEDs to the Sunpower due to the way the light suspends above the tank (also something I want) by wires. Has anyone done this and kept a clean look?
I am open to any ideas on other lighting combos but I don't want to compromise quality. Before anyone suggests the ATI T5/LED combo fixture, I simply can't afford those. Believe me, I have tried to justify that purchase many times :). The tank will be open top without a canopy so retros are out.
I am looking to light a 48"x24" 120 gallon. The main focus of this tank will be a carpet anemone (haddoni) and my 5 year old pair of B&W clowns. Corals will be a handful of chalices, couple of favia and scolys as well as a couple of millis and photosynthetic gorgorians for height. I do not want this to be a jam packed reef since I want the majority of real estate to go to the eventual carpet.
Lighting options I am considering are:
36-inch 6 bulb ATI Sunpower + some kind of LED light strip
36 inch 4 bulb ATI Sunpower + 1 or 2 LED strip(s) - Not sure if this will be enough lighting or if I will be unhappy with lack of T5 color options.
I am worried that I will not be able to add LEDs to the Sunpower due to the way the light suspends above the tank (also something I want) by wires. Has anyone done this and kept a clean look?
I am open to any ideas on other lighting combos but I don't want to compromise quality. Before anyone suggests the ATI T5/LED combo fixture, I simply can't afford those. Believe me, I have tried to justify that purchase many times :). The tank will be open top without a canopy so retros are out.