Help with close to water lighting option

[Loop76]

Hello everyone. New member here and this is my first post.

I am currently in the process of making a DIY 60g breeder tank and stand with pretty tight height constraints. I am fitting the whole thing in a cubby. That being said I was curious are their any lights that I could conceivably use just a few inches above the water? I really need the canopy to be as short on height as possible.

Thanks.

 

[dlsorensen]

I have Current USA ICD Pros and they sit very very low. I can't speak for other brands.

 

[Loop76]

I have Current USA ICD Pros and they sit very very low. I can't speak for other brands.

Reviews are mixed but I see alot saying not enough PAR for corals? How has your experience been?

 

[Rmckoy]

Depends. How much room you have above the tank.

my t5’s are only 5” above the tank

 

[Rmckoy]

The issue you will have with lowering any fixture is less spread

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone. New member here and this is my first post.

I am currently in the process of making a DIY 60g breeder tank and stand with pretty tight height constraints. I am fitting the whole thing in a cubby. That being said I was curious are their any lights that I could conceivably use just a few inches above the water? I really need the canopy to be as short on height as possible.

Thanks.

Are you able to mount across the top of canopy (which I did in the past) ?
You face risk of splash, heat and corrosion internally. You can take an aluminum rod or stainless pipe and hang within the canopy for a light hanger.

 

[Loop76]

Are you able to mount across the top of canopy (which I did in the past) ?
You face risk of splash, heat and corrosion internally. You can take an aluminum rod or stainless pipe and hang within the canopy for a light hanger.

I think that is the route I will have to take. The canopy is going to be really hard to make I think. It will have to match some grooves of a decorative mantle in order for my wife to be happy.

 

[dlsorensen]

Reviews are mixed but I see alot saying not enough PAR for corals? How has your experience been?

 

[oreo54]

Hello everyone. New member here and this is my first post.

I am currently in the process of making a DIY 60g breeder tank and stand with pretty tight height constraints. I am fitting the whole thing in a cubby. That being said I was curious are their any lights that I could conceivably use just a few inches above the water? I really need the canopy to be as short on height as possible.

Thanks.

48.5" L X 18.5" W X 16.25" H.
You typically will need lights with 120- ish degree spread.

Heat could be an issue depending on your power needs
Fortunately leds mostly will radiate " up" and power supplies are remote.
But some air exchange needs to be factored in.
So what you want to grow becomes a factor


Next is what you might want the lights to
"do".

This is apparently 2 Current Loop
A problem with these is they do have 90 degree optics. At that low of height color separations " could" be an issue. .
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/orbit-marine-48-60-ic-loop-pro-dual-led-system-w-hub-current-usa/
Link above has the pro on a considerable sale. 96 watts x 2.
$263x 2
Glass top is probably necessary

192 watts and a relatively shallow tank you shouldn't have par issues in general.

 

[Loop76]

Great thanks!

 

[Loop76]

48.5" L X 18.5" W X 16.25" H.
You typically will need lights with 120- ish degree spread.

Heat could be an issue depending on your power needs
Fortunately leds mostly will radiate " up" and power supplies are remote.
But some air exchange needs to be factored in.
So what you want to grow becomes a factor


Next is what you might want the lights to
"do".

This is apparently 2 Current Loop
A problem with these is they do have 90 degree optics. At that low of height color separations " could" be an issue. .
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/orbit-marine-48-60-ic-loop-pro-dual-led-system-w-hub-current-usa/
Link above has the pro on a considerable sale. 96 watts x 2.
$263x 2
Glass top is probably necessary

192 watts and a relatively shallow tank you shouldn't have par issues in general.

Thanks so much! All helpful answers. The low profile of those will make my life easier as well.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

The issue you will have with lowering any fixture is less spread

Not with t 5

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef
I use two viparspectra 165w on a 55, 10 inches above water.

 

[Hooz]

This might be the perfect application for the new AI Blades. Spread and PAR should be good, even if only a few inches above the tank, passively cooled, etc.

I guess the number and color combinations of strips would depend on what you want to grow, but I'd say at least one Grow and one Glow.