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View Full Version : LED or t5 for 46 gallon Bowfront?

Slammed01
09/19/2013, 08:22 PM
Hello, I currently have a 90g with 2-24" 120 watt reef breeders dimmable 120 watt Leds. Downsizing to a 46 bowfront. I know 2.would be overkill but would 1.be sufficient for a 36x17x20 tank or cause shadowing? Mounting ideas I do plan on having sps like polyps and mushrooms maybe more. Would I be better with a 36" T5? Say a Oddysea quad?
Ron Reefman
09/20/2013, 05:42 AM
Why would two D120 fixtures be overkill? They will fit, they will give you GREAT light coverage, they are dimmable so you can completely control the PAR and you already own them. Why spend money on t5's unless you want to switch. I have 2 very similar fixtures over my 55g tank... in fact, 1 wasn't enough to cover it end to end (4').
Slammed01
09/20/2013, 10:11 AM
Why would two D120 fixtures be overkill? They will fit, they will give you GREAT light coverage, they are dimmable so you can completely control the PAR and you already own them. Why spend money on t5's unless you want to switch. I have 2 very similar fixtures over my 55g tank... in fact, 1 wasn't enough to cover it end to end (4').

I just assumed I guess due to the tank being 36" lol... I found a pic of a 46.g with 1 120 watt. Jus gotta figure out how to hang em lol
Ron Reefman
09/20/2013, 10:19 AM
With 2 you have light coming from twice as much space above the tank and much less shadowing inside the tank. And who cares if you run 2 at 30% power or 1 at 60% power?

I hung mine from plant hangers from HD mounted on the wall behind the tank.
accordsirh22
09/20/2013, 10:44 AM
led all the way.
accordsirh22
09/20/2013, 10:45 AM
With 2 you have light coming from twice as much space above the tank and much less shadowing inside the tank. And who cares if you run 2 at 30% power or 1 at 60% power?

I hung mine from plant hangers from HD mounted on the wall behind the tank.

this ^ run both at lower power = the best
Slammed01
09/20/2013, 11:45 AM
With 2 you have light coming from twice as much space above the tank and much less shadowing inside the tank. And who cares if you run 2 at 30% power or 1 at 60% power?

I hung mine from plant hangers from HD mounted on the wall behind the tank.

I agree, any pics of your setup?
Stomatopod1701
09/20/2013, 12:32 PM
a photon 32 (or evergrow) would work very well.
Ron Reefman
09/20/2013, 03:37 PM
a photon 32 (or evergrow) would work very well.

They already own 2 led fixtures that work just fine, why do you want them to buy more?

Slammed, I don't have any, but I'll work on it. :thumbsup:
asid61
09/20/2013, 07:37 PM
For a 36 x 17 x 20 a single 120w Value should do fine. Although as Ron said, an extra would allow you to hang lower to get the same coverage.
Slammed01
09/22/2013, 03:52 PM
They already own 2 led fixtures that work just fine, why do you want them to buy more?

Slammed, I don't have any, but I'll work on it. :thumbsup:

Thanks guys, I don't have the photon just values. Currently running both until I figure out how to hang jus sitting on the lid lol. Need to figure out a mesh top. I'd rather have too much light then not enough. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/23/e2ynyqar.jpg
Stomatopod1701
09/22/2013, 05:29 PM
sorry missed the fact that he already had two:( I though he was looking at buying two.