Lights for 36”x36” 24” tall tank?

Tobias9413 · 02/22/2018, 08:53 PM

I recently got a cube tank and was wondering what my best options for lights would be. My plan was to run my JBJ Sl-100 lights in between 2 24”-36” t5 ho fixtures each with 2 bulbs. So it would be T5-LED-T5 from the back of the tank to the front. Thoughts? Better options? Open to suggestions as this is my first tank this large. Thanks!

moondoggy4 · 02/22/2018, 10:07 PM

Best lights
ATI 6 x 36 T-5 fixture with a 36" Reefbrite all blue LED
Reefbrite single 250 Radium bulb with dual XHO Led lights see you tube there is a guy with a similar tank as yours running one.

Those would be my first choices.

Tobias9413 · 02/22/2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Best lights
ATI 6 x 36 T-5 fixture with a 36" Reefbrite all blue LED
Reefbrite single 250 Radium bulb with dual XHO Led lights see you tube there is a guy with a similar tank as yours running one.

Those would be my first choices.

Do you know the name of the channel with this tank? Thanks!

DesertReefT4r · 02/23/2018, 07:50 AM

250w MH Phoenix or Radium.

Zacktosterone · 02/23/2018, 08:32 AM

one metal halide pendent

LQT · 02/23/2018, 12:08 PM

If you’re gonna go with a single MH pendant over a 36x36x24, then there is no question that you’d have to go 400 watts under a big Hamilton Cozumel Sun reflector. A 250 won’t cut it for at tank of those dimensions.

If you want to go with your original plan of T5s flanking your LED fixture, I sent you a PM about a pair of Hamilton Aruba Sun V T5 retrofits that I’m no longer using.

Fredfish · 02/23/2018, 05:10 PM

Shop lights.

OK, seriously, you are going to get a whole bunch of people who recommend whatever they use.

The T5 LED hybrid will work just fine. I don't know anything about the jbj light you have though.

FWIW, there is even a company that makes a t5 frame with space between two sets of t5 to mount your own LEDs, whichever one you happen to have or want to buy. It was mentioned on a thread here recently , but I could not find it with a quick search.

JZinCO · 02/23/2018, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredfish

FWIW, there is even a company that makes a t5 frame with space between two sets of t5 to mount your own LEDs, whichever one you happen to have or want to buy. It was mentioned on a thread here recently , but I could not find it with a quick search.

Aquatic life? IIRC, only compatible with LED fixtures of certain dimensions.

OP, I can't offer experiences with a similar setup, but like you I am going from a single row of LEDs to now a similar set up.
I have a 36x30x30 tank I am setting up that will be dual t5 + marsaqua + dual t5. I haven't decided yet on the number of marsaqua fixtures but I know I can fit in two rows of 2 or one row of 3. It is an absurd solution but I have had enough of shading.. If I hadn't got these lights, over time, for cheap prices, I would have gone MH or MH + t5.

shermanator · 02/24/2018, 12:38 PM

I have the same tank (135 cube) that I'm finally going to set up (bought it, wife wanted to move and now it's two years later). Anyhow, I have an ATI Powermodule Hybrid for it (8x39w). I thought a 8-bulb powermodule was an ideal choice for a 36" cube, but many lights and/or light combinations will work. I also have a couple 36" BuildMyLED actinic strips for the front and back.

paal · 02/24/2018, 02:12 PM

Using T5/LED myself but would recommend 2x 24" giesemann spectras.

moondoggy4 · 02/24/2018, 05:10 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G6nqhkWTGM&t=7s

Well my bad it is a 30" inch cube tank.

JZinCO · 02/25/2018, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredfish

FWIW, there is even a company that makes a t5 frame with space between two sets of t5 to mount your own LEDs, whichever one you happen to have or want to buy. It was mentioned on a thread here recently , but I could not find it with a quick search.

I chatted with an aquatic life rep and saw it in person. These fixtures are 100% customizable and should fit just about any led fixture on the market. This fixture is Definitely worth considering for any t5/led setup

Mirror Pond · 02/25/2018, 10:41 PM

I have a 6 or 7 year old 36x36x22 tank and have had a single 250w halide, an 8x24" ATI dimmable sunpower fixture and now 2 Radion g3 pro led fixtures. I agree that the 250w halide in a large 20" reflector was not quite enough light, 400w would have been better I liked the ATI T5 fixture but I missed some shimmer and a 36" unit would have been better. I really like the Radions that I am currently using and I think I'm going to get the Aquatic Life 36" T5 unit to add to the Radions for even better coverage. I think that there are many different lights that have been suggested that you would be happy with.

02/22/2018, 08:53 PM	#1
Tobias9413 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 6	Lights for 36”x36” 24” tall tank? I recently got a cube tank and was wondering what my best options for lights would be. My plan was to run my JBJ Sl-100 lights in between 2 24”-36” t5 ho fixtures each with 2 bulbs. So it would be T5-LED-T5 from the back of the tank to the front. Thoughts? Better options? Open to suggestions as this is my first tank this large. Thanks!

02/23/2018, 07:50 AM	#4
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	250w MH Phoenix or Radium. __________________ Tank history 29g tropical ,55g cichlid tank, 20H softy reef, 29g mixed reef, 20H brackish goby & puffer tank, 55g mixed reef, 6g Nanocube softy lps reef, 40B sps reef, 75g sps reef, 75g sps reef in bu Current Tank Info: 75g sps reef build in the works.

02/23/2018, 12:08 PM	#6
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	If you’re gonna go with a single MH pendant over a 36x36x24, then there is no question that you’d have to go 400 watts under a big Hamilton Cozumel Sun reflector. A 250 won’t cut it for at tank of those dimensions. If you want to go with your original plan of T5s flanking your LED fixture, I sent you a PM about a pair of Hamilton Aruba Sun V T5 retrofits that I’m no longer using. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

02/23/2018, 05:10 PM	#7
Fredfish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 2,661	Shop lights. OK, seriously, you are going to get a whole bunch of people who recommend whatever they use. The T5 LED hybrid will work just fine. I don't know anything about the jbj light you have though. FWIW, there is even a company that makes a t5 frame with space between two sets of t5 to mount your own LEDs, whichever one you happen to have or want to buy. It was mentioned on a thread here recently , but I could not find it with a quick search. __________________ Advice is like a firehose. Be careful how you drink.

02/22/2018, 10:07 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Best lights ATI 6 x 36 T-5 fixture with a 36" Reefbrite all blue LED Reefbrite single 250 Radium bulb with dual XHO Led lights see you tube there is a guy with a similar tank as yours running one. Those would be my first choices.

02/23/2018, 08:32 AM	#5
Zacktosterone Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sault Ste Marie Ont Posts: 2,475	one metal halide pendent

02/24/2018, 12:38 PM	#9
shermanator Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 854	I have the same tank (135 cube) that I'm finally going to set up (bought it, wife wanted to move and now it's two years later). Anyhow, I have an ATI Powermodule Hybrid for it (8x39w). I thought a 8-bulb powermodule was an ideal choice for a 36" cube, but many lights and/or light combinations will work. I also have a couple 36" BuildMyLED actinic strips for the front and back.

02/24/2018, 02:12 PM	#10
paal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Norway Posts: 368	Using T5/LED myself but would recommend 2x 24" giesemann spectras.

02/24/2018, 05:10 PM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G6nqhkWTGM&t=7s Well my bad it is a 30" inch cube tank.

02/25/2018, 10:41 PM	#13
Mirror Pond Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 354	I have a 6 or 7 year old 36x36x22 tank and have had a single 250w halide, an 8x24" ATI dimmable sunpower fixture and now 2 Radion g3 pro led fixtures. I agree that the 250w halide in a large 20" reflector was not quite enough light, 400w would have been better I liked the ATI T5 fixture but I missed some shimmer and a 36" unit would have been better. I really like the Radions that I am currently using and I think I'm going to get the Aquatic Life 36" T5 unit to add to the Radions for even better coverage. I think that there are many different lights that have been suggested that you would be happy with.