46 gallon bow front challenge

[Justice4u2]

Hello, I am new to the form but not to reef aquariums. I have been out of the hobby for several years and itching to get back in.

I am in the planing stage of my adventure, and I have wanted a bow front aquarium and I have a perfect spot in my office for a 46 gallon. The problem that I am having now is trying to find lights that will support a thriving blended reef that I hope to have again someday.

I was looking at a 36 inch reef breeder lighting system, but they are out of stock. Then I have seen this on craigslist http://columbus.craigslist.org/for/5421865262.html it looks just like a reef breeder, only without the sticker. What do you think? Is it a reef breeder brand or a cheap knock off?

I am open for any lighting suggestions.

Thank you!

 

[andys]

I would go with Kessil's

 

[Justice4u2]

I have been eyeing the Kessil A160WE, I think that i would need 2 of them for a 36" wide aquarium. I also want to build a canopy and it would have to be really tall to house these.

 

[go29]

I actually ran a 46 gallon bow mixed reef while in college so i know where you are coming from. For lighting I used two AI sol lights (brand new at the time) and hung them from the ceiling with cheap fish eye screw and chain bought at lowes. Would recommend dry wall screws as well to make sure its stable (dry wall anchors that open up once screwed in). I hang each light from the outside screw hole, and then connected them together with a piece of aluminum bar (AI sells it as their rail system or whatever) .Measured it out so that I bought a size of rail that allowed the lights to both be perfectly separated across that middle brace in order to avoid casting a shadow their. So both lights ended up looking like one nice fixture. Allowed me to keep basically anything I wanted in the tank, and just ran them as a single light unit through one controller (daisy changed them together using male to male headphone wire). Not sure if you willing to get two separate lights, but in my opinion that allows you to have a light on both sides of that center brace, and prevents you from worrying about shadow or brace become brittle (just form light and heat of lights). here a pic to show ya that the two lights idea definitely worked out for me, only picture I have of the old tank but at least gives you something to go off. Good luck in your search !

 

[andys]

I run 2 A360WE on my 36 bow front

 

[Justice4u2]

Both of those look great, i have been surfing the forms looking for 46 bow front aquariums hoping to find some light suggestion. I really like A360WE, but i am not sure i want to spend $800.00 +.
Go29 I found the AI Prime led fixture for $199 (I know i will need 2 of them) that seems like a great buy and closer to what i am looking for.
Thank you both!

Any other suggestion?

 

[go29]

AI prime you could also get the tank mounts and just mount one light on each section of the tank as well. I don't have experience with prime as far as power, but quick searched them on marine depot and they look like pretty sweet lights. Don't mean to push AI products on you, its just all I have experience with (currently running hydra 52 hd on my cube) and I've been more than happy with their performance over the years from the sol to the hydra and now the 52hd. Also you probably know this but definitely search some of the forums for sale adds as I see AI led and many other brands for sale all the time from people who want to upgrade to the new version (i know I'm bad about this lol) like those moving from sol to hydra etc. Usually can score deals that way. Good luck with search and keep us updated on what you end up going with.

 

[Justice4u2]

I am stuck, I still can’t decide on a light fixture. I am in the middle of building a canopy for my aquarium and I can’t go any further until I decide on a light.

The tank is 36 inches wide and 22 inches deep, with a thick center brace.

I want to keep a mixed/blended reef, anything but clams

I don’t want to have a lighting system that needs to be more that 16 inches above the water. I like the idea of being able to connect and adjust it through the network and cost under $600.00.

Because of the canopy I don’t think that going with the Kassel’s is a good idea.

I have been looking at a pair of AI Primes, AI fifty-two HD and the A1P Angel. I am new to LED's and starting to get discouraged.

I really could use some more suggestions.

 

[Justice4u2]

I busted my budget; I have 2 Hydra twenty-six HD on the way. My question is how hot do they get? I will be building a canopy and I will put vents in the canopy, but will I need to put fans in the canopy as well?

Thank you

 

[Dannyboy0076]

I am currently running a 46 bow sps. The first light i bought was a 6 bulb T5 fixture from e b a y, and replaced all bulbs with ATI. Total investment of about $220. Now i run a 6 bulb TEK Elite T5 with all ATI bulbs. Got this one used at a steal for $120. Believe me when I say that either fixture will grow whatever corals you want with little to no heat transfer and minor energy usage. I debated LED's as well but, T5 cannot be beat for SPS growth and color. Here are a few pics.