JaySchulz
02/18/2016, 02:05 PM
Let me start by saying that i've been in the planning stages of this build for the last year and I've been about as indecisive as my wife. After pulling the trigger on a tank and a couple other items (Profilux Controller, BioCube as a Quarantine tank) a couple months ago, I cancelled my tank order almost immediately (luckily my lfs knows me and allowed me to cancel). Ive since changed the tank dimensions about 10 times and I feel that I finally have the tank dimensions set in stone.
Tank will be
72" L x 48" W x 27" T peninsula with low iron 3/4 inch glass. I have not decided if I want to go rimless or build a canopy because I feel that will depend a lot on my lighting selection. I love that I will have tons of tank width, which will allow me to have endless aquascaping options.
Now comes the lights and there are way to many options to choose from. Although I'm excited about the tank width, the 48" width makes choosing lights somewhat complicated and extremely expensive. I wanted to start this thread to hear all of your opinions so that I can finally make a decision and order my tank on Monday.
Option 1
(3) 48" ATI Dimmable Sunpower Fixtures 8x54w configuration which would be turned sideways so that bulbs run perpendicular with 72" length of tank. I would probably supplement with 2 or 4 Kessils for shimmer so I don't have the dullness of only T5. Not sure if I would run these in a canopy or go rimless.
Option 2
(2) 60" ATI (not dimmable) Sunpower Fixtures 8x80w configuration which would be ran parallel with 72" length of tank. Again supplemented with Kessils for shimmer. Not sure if I would run these in a canopy or go rimless.
Option 3
(2) 36" Pacific Sun T5/LED Hybrid 8x39w T5 + 2 145w LED panels which would be run sideways again to get the spread I think I need. Now I was very set on Pacific Sun as my top lighting option but I've read so many mixed reviews that I've slowly been turned off. Some reviews are great but for some reason I see so many reefers absolutely bashing them. I also can't say that I wouldn't care about their Bali program because I think that is an extremely cool feature. I would probably go rimless with this option.
Option 4
(3) 400w MH lights. Not sure on reflectors because there doesn't seem like many options available other than Hamilton reflectors. Although I was leaning towards their Cozumel reflector. I would possibly supplement the MH with (2) 60" ATI 4x80w Sunpowers. This is definitely a top contender in my option but I don't like that there is almost no dimming functionality for ramp up and down other than ON/OFF. Not to mention the heat and having to run a chiller because I would run the MH lights in a canopy. I don't think they will look good aesthetically over a rimless tank.
Lastly I would like to say that bulb replacement and the electricity bill are not much of a concern to me. Thanks ahead of time.
Tank will be
72" L x 48" W x 27" T peninsula with low iron 3/4 inch glass. I have not decided if I want to go rimless or build a canopy because I feel that will depend a lot on my lighting selection. I love that I will have tons of tank width, which will allow me to have endless aquascaping options.
Now comes the lights and there are way to many options to choose from. Although I'm excited about the tank width, the 48" width makes choosing lights somewhat complicated and extremely expensive. I wanted to start this thread to hear all of your opinions so that I can finally make a decision and order my tank on Monday.
Option 1
(3) 48" ATI Dimmable Sunpower Fixtures 8x54w configuration which would be turned sideways so that bulbs run perpendicular with 72" length of tank. I would probably supplement with 2 or 4 Kessils for shimmer so I don't have the dullness of only T5. Not sure if I would run these in a canopy or go rimless.
Option 2
(2) 60" ATI (not dimmable) Sunpower Fixtures 8x80w configuration which would be ran parallel with 72" length of tank. Again supplemented with Kessils for shimmer. Not sure if I would run these in a canopy or go rimless.
Option 3
(2) 36" Pacific Sun T5/LED Hybrid 8x39w T5 + 2 145w LED panels which would be run sideways again to get the spread I think I need. Now I was very set on Pacific Sun as my top lighting option but I've read so many mixed reviews that I've slowly been turned off. Some reviews are great but for some reason I see so many reefers absolutely bashing them. I also can't say that I wouldn't care about their Bali program because I think that is an extremely cool feature. I would probably go rimless with this option.
Option 4
(3) 400w MH lights. Not sure on reflectors because there doesn't seem like many options available other than Hamilton reflectors. Although I was leaning towards their Cozumel reflector. I would possibly supplement the MH with (2) 60" ATI 4x80w Sunpowers. This is definitely a top contender in my option but I don't like that there is almost no dimming functionality for ramp up and down other than ON/OFF. Not to mention the heat and having to run a chiller because I would run the MH lights in a canopy. I don't think they will look good aesthetically over a rimless tank.
Lastly I would like to say that bulb replacement and the electricity bill are not much of a concern to me. Thanks ahead of time.