24" t5/halide/led coverage over 36" wide tank

[Cayc]

Hey everyone, i've nailed my lighting down to either a 24" giesemann spectra, Orphek atlantic V4 or a 24" 8 bulb ati hybrid.
I was going to do 2 compact V4s but its getting a bit to much.
If any of you have one of these fixtures (or similar e.g 8bulb 24w sunpower) over a 36" tank please post your experience, thoughts, photos and or par values.
Thanks all!

 

[GoVols]

Well,
I was told that they made the Spectra in a 36" and that would be my top choice, if you can handle the heat.
I'd go with the 36" Giesemann Aurora (hybird) for the second choice.
Third choice would be an 36" ATI t5 sunpower.

And... I've just seen too many customer service complaints to have Orphek on my short list.

 

[DanConnor]

I have an 8 bulb ati sunpower over a 48x36x27 and love it. It's a lot of light. I also have a 21ledusa 50/50 strip down either side for longer photoperiod.

 

[Cayc]

Well,
I was told that they made the Spectra in a 36" and that would be my top choice, if you can handle the heat.
I'd go with the 36" Giesemann Aurora (hybird) for the second choice.
Third choice would be an 36" ATI t5 sunpower.

And... I've just seen too many customer service complaints to have Orphek on my short list.

I haven't really got the money for a 36" long hybrid or a 36" spectra (if it exist).
So are the 24" fixtures too short?
I would just do a 8 bulb 36w Sunpower but i want to try something different.

 

[GoVols]

I haven't really got the money for a 36" long hybrid or a 36" spectra (if it exist).
So are the 24" fixtures too short?
I would just do a 8 bulb 36w Sunpower but i want to try something different.

I just like to match the fixtures length to the tanks length.

I really don't know if the 24" spectra would give you the side to side coverage. I guess it would depend on how high you hung that fixture. If an ATI 36" sunpower fits your budget, then I'd go that route

 

[Littlebit]

You could hang the Giesmann 12" above the tank. Should be no problem with covering the sides. But may get some light bleed into the room if you are sitting in front of it (Living room).

P.S. This is from observations only, I do not own the Giesmann... yet

 

[Cayc]

Hmm...
May have to get a 39w sunpower and add some Kessils.
I would love the hybrid Powermodule though, it just looks so clean.
And the growth and colour from halide/t5 is just yum.
How about over a 30" cube, would they have great coverage there?
It will be a sps dominant tank.

 

[deedubz]

I'm planning on moving my Hamilton 48x12 mh/t5 fixture over from my 48" 55g to the 60x30x24 tank I have coming. I intend on at least a few inches (likely more than a few) between rock and glass front to back and side to side anyway. If there's still any light loss, which I doubt there will be much, I'll simply keep lower light corals there. Being 9" above the 55g I probably could have grown corals outside the tank as well lol

I honestly like the look of shorter fixtures anyway.

 

[jda]

Hamilton makes a 36" fixture with either single or dual MH with 4x 3' T5s. Good quality and less expensive than the spectra. Is this on your consideration list?

I would get a 36" fixture.

I hated having a 6' fixture over a 7' tank. I ended up adding 150w Halides on each end to fill in the gaps. I wanted wall to wall corals. It is not just the last 6" that suffer. The last 9-12 inches is not as well lit as the middle, which is irritating to me. If you use a fixture that spans the whole tank, the 6" on the end are always less light since they only get light from above, and one side... they miss out on light from the other side.

 

[Cayc]

I don't like the look of the hamiltons, they are very bulky.
I think a dimmable sunpower or giesemann with 2 kessils will be my best option.

 

[jwells77]

I recommend the 24" ati all day. I didn't see your tank size. But unless your tank is really deep, the 8 bulb is probably overkill.