Big Boy Tank

[ViperReef]

So I picked up this tank yesterday. An was wondering what kind of led system to put over top of it. This tank is gonna be mainly tangs and Softies. It has a pinhole leak in it somewhere but did not care because I got it for a wopping $100. Told the wife it would have been a dumb decision to not get it. So was looking at led kits to diy an led lighting system for this monster so was wondering what you guys think about it and how many led's id need. Will be downing some tax money to light it and did not want to go too much higher than $600 it will be mostly softies with a few clams. Give me some feedback links whatever you have. Its hard to get a stright answer reading on forums trying to find the right watts per gallon when it comes to led's. Just want to make sure Im going into it with all the knowledge i need.

its 48X30X24

 

[CTMarinelife]

To keep clams in sand I would go with a 3 watt unit.

 

[Cubbies]

I hope you don't have to replace the whole glass panel for just that pinhole leak. Either way for $100 I think it was a steal! I'm not sold on LED's and still don't have them but from ALOT of people I've heard and seen I would go with 3W. Make sure they are dimmable as well. Btw if you're going to be doing clams you might as well do SPS. GL and can't wait to see a build thread on this baby!

 

[ViperReef]

I hope you don't have to replace the whole glass panel for just that pinhole leak. Either way for $100 I think it was a steal! I'm not sold on LED's and still don't have them but from ALOT of people I've heard and seen I would go with 3W. Make sure they are dimmable as well. Btw if you're going to be doing clams you might as well do SPS. GL and can't wait to see a build thread on this baby!

Well from what I can see it looks like the one corner just had some silicone seperate so dont think it would be that drastic but your right I basicly stole it. So if I have to replace a panel so be it. she said it would only leak a 1/4 gallon a week. There is not one scratch/crack or anything on it and its only a year old so it was well taken care of.

As for the 3W unit this is what I have been reading is good my thing is how many LED's Right now its a cost effective thing so If I cant build one for a decent ammount of money its getting 2x 400HQI and 4X vho and that will be it. But the led thing seems to be good my thing is the price is not so good. They are still very expensive for what your getting. For me the answer I need is what would be the ammount of LED's I need and would it be close to the hqi/vho par. I am gonna take my time with this build so im not in a hurry but want to make all the right choices for it.

As far as SPS never had any luck with them in my old tank. I would like to see some in the new tank but that being said getting lighting to match clams is about the same so yes I would try sps as well. I have alot of LPS now so they would be moving lower in the tank but I have alot of real estate to work with.

My old tank is a corner tank and as everyone knows not the greatest reef tank due to light/space

But I will be starting a build thread for this tank and it will have lots of pictures so get ready

 

[_Alex_]

the new dimmable appollo reed if putting out some crazy par numbers in deeper tanks, and shopreeffiltration.com new LED units are as well but they are not dimmable yet. if your looking at fixtures to get down to 24" or more depth those would be the 2 i would look at first. and each of those fixtures will cover a 2x2 area

 

[Cubbies]

If you're looking to go DIY on the LEDs talk to Bill or Rick over with Reef Led Lights. ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting « Reef Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting Rick is right over in Aurora very close to you. I think they have the best bang for your buck and they are super helpful. They will guide you step by step to exactly what you want. If you're talking MH and VHO you might as well spend a little more on LEDs. You will make your money back in no time considering what the MH suck out of you on bills.

 

[EpicWin]

Leaks are really bad.... been there done that... fix teh leak before you put anything in it

 

[Troylee]

Leaks are really bad.... been there done that... fix teh leak before you put anything in it

Amen to that.... It's a disaster waiting to happen... It's not if but when, it will explode!!!!

 

[ViperReef]

Yea leak is first priority of course I already have a tank so im not in a hurry at all if i get water in this by july it will be a shocker.

 

[ReefLEDLights]

Nice Purchase...

The leak should be easy to fix.

With a tank that deep most go with around 90-110 Cree XP LEDs for SPS and Clams.

If you wand to save $ and still keep clams you can put a couple extra LEDs right over the Clams and focus the light with medium optics. This way you could get by with less than 90 total LEDs. The Softies will receive less light and the clams will receive enough PAR.

Bill

 

[ViperReef]

Nice Purchase...

The leak should be easy to fix.

With a tank that deep most go with around 90-110 Cree XP LEDs for SPS and Clams.

If you wand to save $ and still keep clams you can put a couple extra LEDs right over the Clams and focus the light with medium optics. This way you could get by with less than 90 total LEDs. The Softies will receive less light and the clams will receive enough PAR.

Bill

What about 2 Aqua Illumination Sol units Would I need more than that? looks like id need 4 of them..

was also looking at maybe 2 of these http://apolloreefled.com/shop/solarblast-dimable/

or those but not sure if there dimmable it does not say http://www.shop.reeffiltration.com/product.sc?productId=64&categoryId=5

 

[ViperReef]

Well I decided on a fixture they are a little more than what I wanted to spend but These will be going on the tank. So I will be starting a Build Thread asap. Thanks for all your help guys Below is the link to the fixture Ill be using two of them one for each side. From what I have been reading even in a 30" tank you can still grow SPS on the sand!!!

Evo200 Dimmable LED Fixture
LED Aquarium Lighting | Evolution LED Lights