Frag tank lighting advice

Drewbaby · 08/31/2010, 07:50 PM

I just picked up an almost new acrylic tank for free. The guy was moving and it was either trash or give it to me. I gladly accepted. The tank was custom built and cost $450. It measures 6' long 1' wide and 8" deep. I'm planning on making it a frag tank, but need some advice on what lighting to use. What do you think?

SammyJ916 · 08/31/2010, 07:58 PM

T5's all the way! I just ordered an ati sunpower for my frag tank which is 48x24x12.

Drewbaby · 08/31/2010, 08:31 PM

I like T5's, but wasn't sure if I should go with 2 36" fixtures, try to find 72" retrofits, use a 60" fixture, or use 60" retrofits stagered to the ends? How many bulbs? I'm not sure what will be efficient for growing all kinds of corals including sps witout burning softies. Also what bulbs should I use? My 55gal reef has UV lighting 454 actinics and UV lighting daylight bulbs.

dustinc · 08/31/2010, 08:39 PM

I would go with a 48" 5 or 6 bulb fixture that way you have so dimmer areas on the end since the tank is so shallow. I really like ATI Blue+ bulbs and they have the highest par of any t5 including daylight and throw in a kz Fiji purple.

Drewbaby · 08/31/2010, 08:54 PM

You don't think a 48" fixture in a 72" tank would be too short? That's 2 feet of tank without light above it? I'm new to frag tanks so this may be fine just double checking

Johnny C · 08/31/2010, 11:01 PM

The 4' ATI fixture work alright, but IMO I think a 5' 4x80W Sunpower would work better, especially being only ~$60 more.

Drewbaby · 09/01/2010, 08:44 AM

That's a little more than I was looking to spend ATM. Does any one know of a good place to get retrofit kits

T Diddy · 09/01/2010, 08:53 AM

I'm assuming that you aren't putting a canopy on this frag tank, and that aesthetics are not of high importance...go to your local electrical supply house and get a T5 fixture. They'll have a catalog of different size fixtures with individual reflectors for the bulbs.

I got two of these 6 bulb fixtures for $150 each...came with 4500K bulbs, but those can be replaced. They are 4' X 2' , but there are many different sizes available:

08/31/2010, 07:50 PM	#1
Drewbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL Posts: 874	Frag tank lighting advice I just picked up an almost new acrylic tank for free. The guy was moving and it was either trash or give it to me. I gladly accepted. The tank was custom built and cost $450. It measures 6' long 1' wide and 8" deep. I'm planning on making it a frag tank, but need some advice on what lighting to use. What do you think?

08/31/2010, 08:39 PM	#4
dustinc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 1,096	I would go with a 48" 5 or 6 bulb fixture that way you have so dimmer areas on the end since the tank is so shallow. I really like ATI Blue+ bulbs and they have the highest par of any t5 including daylight and throw in a kz Fiji purple. __________________ You might be too strong to surrender boy, but you're far too frail to fight! Current Tank Info: 120 Planet

08/31/2010, 11:01 PM	#6
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	The 4' ATI fixture work alright, but IMO I think a 5' 4x80W Sunpower would work better, especially being only ~$60 more. __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

09/01/2010, 08:53 AM	#8
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	I'm assuming that you aren't putting a canopy on this frag tank, and that aesthetics are not of high importance...go to your local electrical supply house and get a T5 fixture. They'll have a catalog of different size fixtures with individual reflectors for the bulbs. I got two of these 6 bulb fixtures for $150 each...came with 4500K bulbs, but those can be replaced. They are 4' X 2' , but there are many different sizes available: __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

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08/31/2010, 07:58 PM	#2
SammyJ916 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 416	T5's all the way! I just ordered an ati sunpower for my frag tank which is 48x24x12.

08/31/2010, 08:31 PM	#3
Drewbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL Posts: 874	I like T5's, but wasn't sure if I should go with 2 36" fixtures, try to find 72" retrofits, use a 60" fixture, or use 60" retrofits stagered to the ends? How many bulbs? I'm not sure what will be efficient for growing all kinds of corals including sps witout burning softies. Also what bulbs should I use? My 55gal reef has UV lighting 454 actinics and UV lighting daylight bulbs.

08/31/2010, 08:54 PM	#5
Drewbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL Posts: 874	You don't think a 48" fixture in a 72" tank would be too short? That's 2 feet of tank without light above it? I'm new to frag tanks so this may be fine just double checking

09/01/2010, 08:44 AM	#7
Drewbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL Posts: 874	That's a little more than I was looking to spend ATM. Does any one know of a good place to get retrofit kits