Best lighting?

[ydarr]

I would go with the hydra

Thank you @James M

 

[James M]

Thank you @James M

No problem

 

[Jacked Reefer]

I would go with the hydra

Agreed, hydra is cheaper and easier to program than two primes

 

[Jacked Reefer]

4 bulb ati​

For a 18” wide tank? I would feel a 6 bulb would be the least you could do

 

[Jay Norris]

We are getting a Cobalt Aquatics 26 Gallon C-Vue tank, and want your opinion on lighting. My husband wants to get away from LED's. The tank measures 24" L x 18" W 14" H. What lighting is good for coral growth/color, and won't break the bank? Thanks!

I would look into the Reef Breeders 24" Photon V2+ light for around the money you want to spend. They are a very nice looking light , and will grow any coral you want to put in the tank. They have most of the features aquarist like, they are dimmable, have six color channels, easy to program, and great customer service. I believe they also have a 16" version to. I purchased their 32" version to stick over my 60" fuge, and it coves an area about 48"x 30"x 27" area with enough light to grow low light corals on the ends and side if I wanted to, and that is at about 70% intensity.

 

[ydarr]

@James M my last question for you. With the Hydra, is it strong enough for a clam?

 

[T-5unsystem]

Depends on budget. With a 2 foot tank t5s are not an economical option )

What makes you say it is not an economical option? I know of at least 1 option where you can buy a dual lamp fixture for less than $100

 

[Jacked Reefer]

What makes you say it is not an economical option? I know of at least 1 option where you can buy a dual lamp fixture for less than $100

You would need three of those to properly light a 18 inch wide tank. And are they quality? I could buy a 165w Led for 70 bucks but that doesn’t make it good

 

[James M]

@James M my last question for you. With the Hydra, is it strong enough for a clam?

Yes it will be able to keep a clam

 

[Jacked Reefer]

@James M my last question for you. With the Hydra, is it strong enough for a clam?

The ai hydra 26 is plenty strong for any type of clam.

 

[T-5unsystem]

For a 18” wide tank? I would feel a 6 bulb would be the least you could do

I would disagree. I think 4 is plenty with a tank only 14" tall. 6 is overkill.

 

[T-5unsystem]

For a 18” wide tank? I would feel a 6 bulb would be the least you could do

14" tall? I disagree.

 

[ydarr]

Yes it will be able to keep a clam

@James M, you're a dear! Thanks!!

 

[Jacked Reefer]

14" tall? I disagree.

To each their own. As long as you are getting results then I will not argue those. I just aim for coverage more than par. Heck I was thinking of using an 8 bulb over my eight inch tall frag tank.

 

[James M]

@James M, you're a dear! Thanks!!

No problem

 

[Chef Tommy]

I really like T5 lights & will be continuing them on our 150 gallon build. Currently we are running a 4 bulb unit on our 75

with ATI blue + bulbs with great success. Our corals grow well from soft to sps. We have the following fixture.

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Ag...dpPl=1&dpID=41TV2+ZkHWL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

I did add Orphek Bars recently which we really enjoy because of the added shimmer and dusk to dawn effects. Once the 150 is up, the same fixture will be purchased only with a 6 bulb array.

 

[ydarr]

I really like T5 lights & will be continuing them on our 150 gallon build. Currently we are running a 4 bulb unit on our 75

with ATI blue + bulbs with great success. Our corals grow well from soft to sps. We have the following fixture.

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Agrobrite-FLT24-Fluorescent-System/dp/B005H1C7NA/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1544580177&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=t5+grow+lights&dpPl=1&dpID=41TV2+ZkHWL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

I did add Orphek Bars recently which we really enjoy because of the added shimmer and dusk to dawn effects. Once the 150 is up, the same fixture will be purchased only with a 6 bulb array.

Beautiful tank!

 

[Chef Tommy]

Thank you so much! It was a good learning experience over the last 1.5 years

 

[xiaoxiy]

If you want a plug and play system for under 300, I’d go with a 4 bulb used ATI fixture.

 

[Chef Tommy]

I just remembered the store has a C-Vue setup with corals. I’ll get some info on it today & send u a pic of how they have it running.