Lighting my 72 gallon bow-front tank (48" wide)

[berkdog]

My current lighting:
7x small blue LEDs
2x PTI 28W 10,000K
2x PTI 28W Actinic-03

As I'm told, "The blue LEDs are for the amusement of the viewers only. I have never heard of those fluorescents before. Apparently they are NO (normal output) T5 lamps. I have no idea how they compare to the much more common (in our hobby) HO (high output) T5 lamps that are 54 watts each in the 4' lengths."

I currently have a FOWLR tank, and want to have a pair of clownfish, and an anemone for them. If I want an anemone or corals ever, what should I do about lighting?

Do I need a completely new lighting fixture? Or should I just replace the bulbs (there are 4 separate florescent bulbs)? The light fixture just sits on top of my tank ceiling. Do I need one that is raised?

Also in terms of equipment, any specific brand recommendations (pro or con/to avoid)?

Note: I also have a glass cover on top of my tank. Does that have to be removed for other lighting?

Thanks!

[charlie]

Good morning...

If your eventual goal is corals and anemones, yes, you are going to have to have a new fixture. I would stay away from power compacts, as I really think that T5 lighting is going to be the way more folks go in the future.
I had this fixture on my 80:

Current USA Nova Extreme T5HO

I had a RBTA in the tank with that fixture and he seemed alright with the light. I had switched over from a 2x250W halide fixture last November, and nothing in the tank skipped a beat. JMHO

[berkdog]

OK, so I think I'll return my current lighting since I'm still within the return policy and exchange it for something better now. This one cost me 100, so I might as well invest in the better one now, right?

[charlie]

You find that this is not the only upgrade you will ever do.;)

[berkdog]

what else should I look forward to?

lighting (upgrading!)
filtration (mechanical, skimmer)
pumps/power heads
rocks/sand
water/ro-di
fish fish
tank
sump/ref.

[charlie]

You about got 'er covered there...........................what about Kalk reactor, Ca reactor, upgrade skimmer for larger tank, closed loop pumps, bigger return pump, etc.

Welcome to the endless money pit my friend, hope you enjoy.

[berkdog]

Back to lighting...
Does that one you recommended heat the tank up to a point a chiller is necessary? Would 8 bulbs make a chiller necessary?

[charlie]

It is only a T5, I don't think you are gonna have any heat issues at all. You gonna put 8 bulbs over yours?

[berkdog]

Would 8 bulbs over do it?
How about 4x T5 HO?

I don't like that one b/c reviews say it's noisy :-\

[charlie]

Wasn't noisey when I was running it, but oh well.

Which other T5 were you looking at?

8 bulbs would be bright, you may be able to grow the sps in a cave though.

[berkdog]

Basically, I'm looking for:
4 T5 HOs, Moon LEDs (that are independent)
Timer
Lifted from aquarium top
Fans not too noisy

yeah?

[berkdog]

48 Inch 216 Watt (4x54w) Wave Point T5 HO Lighting System (but only 2 reviews): Wave Point T5 HO Lighting System

Or,
48 Inch 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs: AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixtures w/ Lunar LED's

Or, whatever my LFS people have to offer, maybe.

[charlie]

To be honest here, I have no real preference. All of them are basically the same light, just under different names. What it really comes down to is the reflectors in the fixture, are they individual or is it not. T5 are best utilized with individual reflectors for each bulb, and I believe that is why I suggested the one I did. There is a bunch of info out there on T5's, do a little searching around before you make a choice. I think there is a sticky thread in this forum also.

[reefhead728]

berkdog
check out bulkreefsupply.com they sold me my t5s last week and i love my new setup. they run cooler than my 4x48" Power compact i had. take a look at my thread
"need help lighting my 120 gal" charlie went over alot with me about the subject, and sid also. Give it a look i posted pics to day.

[berkdog]

Thanks reefhead728, I just read your thread. What did you end up buying, exactly? Fixture, bulb-wise, etc?

Now I'm thinking of the Tek fixture:
-4 Bulb 48" Tek Light T5 Fixture
-4 bulbs (not sure which ones to buy !)
-a fan (this doesn't have a fan and will heat my water! I don't want to buy a chiller too
-A power supply with double timers.

What do you ppl think?

[berkdog]

Anyway, since I found the one I mentioned earlier () on 15% off, I'm going to go with that one.
48 Inch 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs

[charlie]

Keep us updated when you get it.

[reefhead728]

Great berkdog get us some pics posted when you get the chance

[berkdog]

will do

the only thing is, now i'm regretting not getting a 6 or 8 bulb fixture...???

[Ninong]

the only thing is, now i'm regretting not getting a 6 or 8 bulb fixture...???

I don't think a 6 or 8 bulb fixture will fit over your 72-gal bowfront. It is very difficult to light that tank properly because of the way it bows out in the middle and then has much narrower ends.