Cheapest way to get deep light penetration?

[Tuffyyyyy]

Im working on a coral tank for the aquarium section of my local children’s museum and need help on how I can get light penetration to the bottom of this setup. They have 3x Kessil a160 on this display, but thats just not enough light for something this deep. I’m thinking it’s roughly 30”-36” deep. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can purchase that’ll penetrate deeper into this display for cheap? Maybe an Ali E bar? Or a black box and then put the Kessils on the edge?

 

[Jekyl]

T5 or halide

 

[Billldg]

Kessil a360X's will get to the bottom no problem, you just need more power. I know that's not the cheapest route though. I use Radion XR15 G5 Blues in a hybrid in my 225 gal tank, which is 24 in tall and I get 200 par on the sand with my LED's at 50 percent. You could buy a 36 in Aquatic Life Hybrid and get the light you want when adding the Kessils you have.

 

[Ramdude4G]

Pair them up with some t5 or metal halide or both.

 

[Bpb]

A 400 watt metal halide would do the trick. If not that, I’d get 2-3 black boxes. Those tight optics punch real deep.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Ok so I’m thinking something like an aliexpress bar is going to replicate the T5 the best and hopefully allow more penetration

 

[oreo54]

Im working on a coral tank for the aquarium section of my local children’s museum and need help on how I can get light penetration to the bottom of this setup. They have 3x Kessil a160 on this display, but thats just not enough light for something this deep. I’m thinking it’s roughly 30”-36” deep. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can purchase that’ll penetrate deeper into this display for cheap? Maybe an Ali E bar? Or a black box and then put the Kessils on the edge?

What are the full tank dimensions, mounting height clearance and what one considers "inexpensive".
Customizable to " fit".

Amazonas 320 Aquarium LED Lighting • Orphek

Orphek Amazonas 320 LED Light Fixtures are developed specifically for public aquariums and other venues displaying reef or freshwater aquariums.

orphek.com

Cheapest way would be PAR38 reef centric flood (spot, term is relative to application) lights though it could be a tie with metal halides.

 

[jhuntstl]

That thread title will surely attract @zoa what.

 

[Peng1606]

I use the Orphek Amazonas lights mentioned above. Have no problems getting 150 PAR on my sandbed in my 3 feet down with lights mounted 12 inches above water

 

[lapin]

Ecoxotic, Inc. | Cannon PRO LED 50

www.ecoxotic.com

Opps you said cheap sorry

 

[Fakegolfnews]

Im assuming the tank is about 36x36x36? If so this and those kessils is more than enough light.

Can probably get one used for cheaper.

 

[X-37B]

Used MH cheap and they have the punch.

 

[oreo54]

Oh forgot to add what do you want it to " do"?
What do you want it to look like?

 

[ZoWhat]

That thread title will surely attract @zoa what.

Deep light penetration = high watt power + high quality lens ......

which does NOT = cheap

Metal Halide that's been mentioned is your best option but a power supply ($250+) plus a pendant ($200+) plus a HQI bulb ($100+) is gonna cost you.

Gotta pay to play Boyz


.

 

[Stang67]

If it's for a children's museum maybe see about applying for a grant or hit up the lfs and see if they would donate something in exchange for a "sponsorship plaque" next to the tank.

 

[outhouse]

I run cheap ocean revives and had to turn them down at 30 inches deep. Both reef shops in Sacramento use these lights. Same as viparspectra. 3 165w would be cheap and have all the power you need. These are strong lights

 

[outhouse]

Deep light penetration = high watt power + high quality lens ......

which does NOT = cheap

Nonsense

Running ocean revives at 10% B in a 30" deep tank with great growth, even at 6% I had great growth. Viparspectra will also do the same.

 

[djf91]

400 watt Metal halide. As has been said above. I’ve got bright white shimmer on my sand band and lower rocks in a 30 inch deep tank with 400 watt Radiums

 

[Little c big D]

+1 on the Halides. Though I use LED now.... halides produce an amazing look and can get deep....

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Oh forgot to add what do you want it to " do"?
What do you want it to look like?

My goal is to make this into a true show tank. This is the closest thing we have to an aquarium in town, so my true goal is to make something awesome enough to inspire more people to join the hobby. I’ve been doing this long enough to know how to mix and match colors and whatnot to accomplish this goal, I’m just not sure how to get light that deep down.

FWIW the tank has everything it needs to be elite (Apex, chiller, MP40s, calcium reactor, etc.) they just skimped out on lighting for some reason (and even then they spent probably $700-800 but just didn’t take tank depth into the purchase).

The kessils they have on there are giving me great shimmer for the corals up top, but just not conducive to growth 40” down.