lighting 5 x 5 foot tank. What would you do

Vegas RN · 07/04/2020, 02:16 AM

waiting for a new to me 5ft x 5ft x 24" tank. Was going to try to get it covered with 6 gen 5 xr 30's but now thinking about 9 gen 5 xr15's would get better coverage while saving a couple grand. Thoughts? Thanks

LQT · 07/08/2020, 10:36 AM

What kind of coral do you plan on keeping in there?

Vegas RN · 07/08/2020, 12:35 PM

Mixed reef sps high other corals lower. Tank is only 24"high

LQT · 07/08/2020, 07:49 PM

I think 9 XR15s raised pretty high off the water and run at almost max intensity would give you incredible coverage and color blending. You’ll probably be able to grow anything you want. Similar to WWC’s grow out tank, where they have a grid of Radions (Gen 4) raised high above the tank running at 100%. However, if you run them at a lower height, like RMS mount height for home aesthetics, you’ll get more of a spotlight effect with more hotspots.

Vinny Kreyling · 07/09/2020, 08:23 AM

9 x 420 = 3780 xr 15
4 x 900 = 3600 Phillips Coral Care
(estimated price)
Tough choice IMHO

DIRK GRIFFIN · 07/19/2020, 12:38 PM

3 x 250w or 2 x 400w 14k or 20k halides!!!

Could still afford a very nice air conditioner and pay for the electricity for a long time
and go gamble for a while

oreo57 · 07/20/2020, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIRK GRIFFIN

3 x 250w or 2 x 400w 14k or 20k halides!!!

Could still afford a very nice air conditioner and pay for the electricity for a long time
and go gamble for a while

4 x 250W MH:

4 reflectors $150/each
4 250W Mogul base 250W 17500 bulbs $80 each.
4 icecap ballasts $140 each

$1480..
Replace bulbs every 12 to 18 months $320.

Predicted 5 yr lifespan..( or more for the Coral care)
3 full bulb replacements after initial set....
$960..
+$1480

$2440..

12 AI Primes at an est "output equivalent" to 4 250MH's..
12 x 209 = $2508
12 x 60w = 720W

16 would "fit" a bit better (symmetry) $3344

for $1264 you could do 16 "black boxes".. and pay for the heaters..

Hellsangelbx · 08/17/2020, 02:52 PM

I would go with a big tank like that I would go with AI Hydras 52's with Reefbrite. Best combo for the price and quality. Once pairing with T5's or LED light strips for a secondary additive to your tank lighting you don't have to go with the ecotech since they are more expensive. If pricing isn't a issue I would go with Ecotech or Kessils A360x or AP9x. Good luck

Vegas RN · 08/17/2020, 03:37 PM

Thanks everyone. Ended up getting 9 xr15s at a good price. I'll post pics once I get the tank set up. All input was appreciated. Probably add some t5 in between if I need more light

OneReef · 08/24/2020, 06:29 PM

How the heck do you work in the middle part? Will it have a walkboard over it? Look forward to see pics of it. ��

Superpuma · 08/31/2020, 02:14 AM

I would contact Logan at ReefBreeders and find out if l needed 3 or 4 Photon 50 V2+’s over it. Brilliant light and a piece of cake to control with it’s controller, no WiFi, Bluetooth, noises fans or any other grief involved ��, simple.

Vegas RN · 09/01/2020, 09:47 AM

Finally got the tank now plumbing begins. Ended up going with 9 xr15's. Will build my own mounting with 80/20 aluminum extrusion

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

Vegas RN · 09/01/2020, 09:49 AM

More pics

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

gcarroll · 09/10/2020, 01:44 PM

Looks like you made the right choice!

Vegas RN · 09/17/2020, 06:30 PM

Lights in and on

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

07/04/2020, 02:16 AM	#1
Vegas RN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 286	lighting 5 x 5 foot tank. What would you do waiting for a new to me 5ft x 5ft x 24" tank. Was going to try to get it covered with 6 gen 5 xr 30's but now thinking about 9 gen 5 xr15's would get better coverage while saving a couple grand. Thoughts? Thanks __________________ I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

07/08/2020, 10:36 AM	#2
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	What kind of coral do you plan on keeping in there? __________________ - 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

07/08/2020, 12:35 PM	#3
Vegas RN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 286	Mixed reef sps high other corals lower. Tank is only 24"high __________________ I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

07/08/2020, 07:49 PM	#4
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	I think 9 XR15s raised pretty high off the water and run at almost max intensity would give you incredible coverage and color blending. You’ll probably be able to grow anything you want. Similar to WWC’s grow out tank, where they have a grid of Radions (Gen 4) raised high above the tank running at 100%. However, if you run them at a lower height, like RMS mount height for home aesthetics, you’ll get more of a spotlight effect with more hotspots. __________________ - 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

07/09/2020, 08:23 AM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	9 x 420 = 3780 xr 15 4 x 900 = 3600 Phillips Coral Care (estimated price) Tough choice IMHO __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/19/2020, 12:38 PM	#6
DIRK GRIFFIN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: RED WING MINNESOTA Posts: 234	lighting 3 x 250w or 2 x 400w 14k or 20k halides!!! Could still afford a very nice air conditioner and pay for the electricity for a long time and go gamble for a while

08/17/2020, 02:52 PM	#8
Hellsangelbx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 52	I would go with a big tank like that I would go with AI Hydras 52's with Reefbrite. Best combo for the price and quality. Once pairing with T5's or LED light strips for a secondary additive to your tank lighting you don't have to go with the ecotech since they are more expensive. If pricing isn't a issue I would go with Ecotech or Kessils A360x or AP9x. Good luck

08/17/2020, 03:37 PM	#9
Vegas RN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 286	Thanks everyone. Ended up getting 9 xr15s at a good price. I'll post pics once I get the tank set up. All input was appreciated. Probably add some t5 in between if I need more light __________________ I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

08/24/2020, 06:29 PM	#10
OneReef Reef Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: the great South Posts: 3,218	How the heck do you work in the middle part? Will it have a walkboard over it? Look forward to see pics of it. ��

08/31/2020, 02:14 AM	#11
Superpuma Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 159	I would contact Logan at ReefBreeders and find out if l needed 3 or 4 Photon 50 V2+’s over it. Brilliant light and a piece of cake to control with it’s controller, no WiFi, Bluetooth, noises fans or any other grief involved ��, simple.

09/01/2020, 09:47 AM	#12
Vegas RN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 286	Finally got the tank now plumbing begins. Ended up going with 9 xr15's. Will build my own mounting with 80/20 aluminum extrusion Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk __________________ I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

09/01/2020, 09:49 AM	#13
Vegas RN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 286	More pics Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk __________________ I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

09/10/2020, 01:44 PM	#14
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Looks like you made the right choice! __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

09/17/2020, 06:30 PM	#15
Vegas RN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 286	Lights in and on Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk __________________ I'd rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.