Perplexed on lighting

ABruce · 12/06/2017, 11:29 PM

I am not a new comer to salt water, but most of my experience was fish only and mixed tanks before the advent of led. I learned to loathe the heat and power consumption of the old metal halide. For the last three years my four foot by 2 foot tank was running a vertex Illumina. I loved the light. We had a power surge this summer and it expired. Parts appear to be unavailable.
The tank is now limping along on an under powered led.
This summer I purchased a second tank 48 by 30 inches.The goal is a coral dominated reef. It came with a Giesemann 48 inch fixture with 4 T 5 and 2 metal halides. The owner was moving and the ballast is lost in the shuffle so I dont have the light running.
I have read the Giesemann company make exceptional product but I am still worried about power consumption and heat. I have looked at the Kessel AP 700 but dont think I want the light up 24 inches for the ascetics of the room so probably would not get the coverage I desire.
I would appreciate anyone who could comment of the Giesemann power consumption, , possibly tell me how to identify the correct ballast for it, or offer advice on an LED light that would give the performance I need.
thanks

RobZilla04 · 12/07/2017, 06:43 AM

There are many LED's which will work well for your set up. Specifically I suggest you look at fixtures with 120 degree lenses to get better coverage without having to mount them 24 inches above the surface. You're in the right place because there are many lighting gurus here.

LQT · 12/07/2017, 08:15 AM

Is your Giesemann fixture set up for single or double ended bulbs?

Cheapreef · 12/07/2017, 10:02 AM

How handy are you at DIY? You could retrofit a couple of Hydra 26's in pace of the MH if you want to save on the energy and bulb replacement costs. I run a 36" hybrid fixture with the AI 26's and really like it.

Mark Bianco · 12/07/2017, 06:25 PM

I second that I run 24" T5's with a Hydra 26

ABruce · 12/07/2017, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQT

Is your Giesemann fixture set up for single or double ended bulbs?

Double ended

ABruce · 12/07/2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapreef

How handy are you at DIY? You could retrofit a couple of Hydra 26's in pace of the MH if you want to save on the energy and bulb replacement costs. I run a 36" hybrid fixture with the AI 26's and really like it.

I am pretty handy.I have just glanced at a couple of web pages on the Hydra 26 and the idea seems awesome. I found one person running two on a 24 by 48 tank, so I am thinking I could go with two, and if I needed it I could add a third later. I also like the idea that if one fails I do not need to replace them all.

Cheapreef · 12/07/2017, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABruce

I am pretty handy.I have just glanced at a couple of web pages on the Hydra 26 and the idea seems awesome. I found one person running two on a 24 by 48 tank, so I am thinking I could go with two, and if I needed it I could add a third later. I also like the idea that if one fails I do not need to replace them all.

Yes and they are very slim and compact just be sure to have a spot open for the top fan. This is the one I did with some T5 Sunblasters and Alumabond.

12/06/2017, 11:29 PM	#1
ABruce Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: British Columbia Posts: 10	Perplexed on lighting I am not a new comer to salt water, but most of my experience was fish only and mixed tanks before the advent of led. I learned to loathe the heat and power consumption of the old metal halide. For the last three years my four foot by 2 foot tank was running a vertex Illumina. I loved the light. We had a power surge this summer and it expired. Parts appear to be unavailable. The tank is now limping along on an under powered led. This summer I purchased a second tank 48 by 30 inches.The goal is a coral dominated reef. It came with a Giesemann 48 inch fixture with 4 T 5 and 2 metal halides. The owner was moving and the ballast is lost in the shuffle so I dont have the light running. I have read the Giesemann company make exceptional product but I am still worried about power consumption and heat. I have looked at the Kessel AP 700 but dont think I want the light up 24 inches for the ascetics of the room so probably would not get the coverage I desire. I would appreciate anyone who could comment of the Giesemann power consumption, , possibly tell me how to identify the correct ballast for it, or offer advice on an LED light that would give the performance I need. thanks

12/07/2017, 06:43 AM	#2
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	There are many LED's which will work well for your set up. Specifically I suggest you look at fixtures with 120 degree lenses to get better coverage without having to mount them 24 inches above the surface. You're in the right place because there are many lighting gurus here. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

12/07/2017, 08:15 AM	#3
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	Is your Giesemann fixture set up for single or double ended bulbs? __________________ - 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

12/07/2017, 10:02 AM	#4
Cheapreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,076	How handy are you at DIY? You could retrofit a couple of Hydra 26's in pace of the MH if you want to save on the energy and bulb replacement costs. I run a 36" hybrid fixture with the AI 26's and really like it.

12/07/2017, 06:25 PM	#5
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	I second that I run 24" T5's with a Hydra 26