I'm looking at a redneck solution to weak lighting.

[HawkeyeDJ]

I've finally come to the conclusion that my light is simply too weak to support sps corals. I was warned by my LFS this might be the case. The blue spectrum is just not strong enough. It's frustrating because I can turn up the white spectrum until the tank looks like a square fireball, but the white spectrum simply grows algae.

Nevertheless, I want to try one more thing.

I can purchase violet/blue colored stage lighting gels super cheap. If I were to cover the white LEDs on my light with these gels, could I turn the lights up to get the power I need without growing algae like crazy while giving sps what they need?

 

[Rtaylor]

I've finally come to the conclusion that my light is simply too weak to support sps corals. I was warned by my LFS this might be the case. The blue spectrum is just not strong enough. It's frustrating because I can turn up the white spectrum until the tank looks like a square fireball, but the white spectrum simply grows algae.

Nevertheless, I want to try one more thing.

I can purchase violet/blue colored stage lighting gels super cheap. If I were to cover the white LEDs on my light with these gels, could I turn the lights up to get the power I need without growing algae like crazy while giving sps what they need?

No, filtering the light through a colored lens doesn’t change its wavelength (spectrum). This would be useless.

 

[oreo54]

I've finally come to the conclusion that my light is simply too weak to support sps corals. I was warned by my LFS this might be the case. The blue spectrum is just not strong enough. It's frustrating because I can turn up the white spectrum until the tank looks like a square fireball, but the white spectrum simply grows algae.

Nevertheless, I want to try one more thing.

I can purchase violet/blue colored stage lighting gels super cheap. If I were to cover the white LEDs on my light with these gels, could I turn the lights up to get the power I need without growing algae like crazy while giving sps what they need?

Filters subtract photons. You could make a much bluer light but at the cost of power.

What light do you have and what size tank?
.
There are some relatively cheap " blue" lights.

 

[CoralB]

You could park the pickup in the living room next to the tank and turn on your high beams !!!

That to me would be what OP ‘s heading asked for as far as a red neck solution to weak lighting lol !!!

It’s past my bed time sorry I couldn’t resist

 

[Tavero]

No, filtering the light through a colored lens doesn’t change its wavelength (spectrum). This would be useless.

Yes...yes it does. That is literally the only reason why blue light has blue color.

One reason why this maybe won't work is because white light will still be able to penetrate through a colored lense. But this depends on the density of the pigments and the strengh of the light.

Now, getting the proper lense with a wavelengh of 455-460nm is a different issue. It can't be a mixed pigment but has to be uniform.

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

Filters subtract photons. You could make a much bluer light but at the cost of power.

What light do you have and what size tank?
.
There are some relatively cheap " blue" lights.

My tank is 24g AIO cube by Aquatop 18x18x18

My current light is this:



Link

 

[SilvermistInc]

The problem isn't spectrum, my dude. It's par. Your light simple doesn't have the wattage to produce the par needed for SPS growth.

 

[djf91]

You might get what you’re looking for with metal halide. Bang for your buck.

 

[oreo54]

My tank is 24g AIO cube by Aquatop 18x18x18

My current light is this:



Link

Sorry, forgot the link for an "inexpensive" example .
Use a redneck timer ..

Aquarium Reef LED Lamp 50W 20000K White (Metal Halide alternative Light) Flood reef saltwater salt water

Aquarium Reef LED Lamp 50W 20000K White (Metal Halide alternative Light) Flood For saltwater coral reef

21ledusa.com

 

[14 foot reef]

Hope its ok too post this here as possible help for OP. I will soon have 9 Kessil A360we's for sale. Most likely around $150.00 each full complete units.

 

[exnisstech]

On an 18 inch cube I would think you could probably light it with a black box or something similar Iike smatfarm or noop psyche? Just wouldn't have all the bells and whistles but you could do it for $200 or so new.

 

[kevgib67]

21 led usa also have actinic blue 12” strips that are cheap.That could raise your par in the top 1/3 of your tank by over 100 par.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I've finally come to the conclusion that my light is simply too weak to support sps corals. I was warned by my LFS this might be the case. The blue spectrum is just not strong enough. It's frustrating because I can turn up the white spectrum until the tank looks like a square fireball, but the white spectrum simply grows algae.

Nevertheless, I want to try one more thing.

I can purchase violet/blue colored stage lighting gels super cheap. If I were to cover the white LEDs on my light with these gels, could I turn the lights up to get the power I need without growing algae like crazy while giving sps what they need?

A good redneck solution for cheap sps lighting, look at T5 and or Metal Halide!

 

[Privateye]

I've been there as well. I was reefing on a budget for years. I started with 1 mushroom and a little GSP under 1 T8 light in a 20 gallon. Close to the top, they survived.

I then swapped to a cheap, standard output, dual-lamp T5 when I switched my 29g from fresh to salt. I could then get some slow growth out of these corals, plus yellow parazoanthus and cactus pavona. Absolutely no coralline algae though.

I inherited a second dual-T5 light and after adding it I could grow cap monti and euphyllia. I eventually added a clip-on marineland LED for extra power and some blue light.

Then I went to a 55g with an Orbit Pro light. It worked great for 2 years for LPS and SPS but heat was the Achilles heel (at least in early models) and I saw this happen with multiple units.

Now I have a 90 gallon with 4-lamp HO T5 lamps. Plus I still use those blue LED clip-on LEDs from Marineland. This setup has been very good to me with any type of coral. A light is often the priciest piece of equipment, but it's also the best investment for coral growth!

 

[oreo54]

Sooo what t5's fit over an 18x18 cube?

 

[SilvermistInc]

Sooo what t5's fit over an 18x18 cube?

I feel like this shouldn't be something you'd need to ask

 

[noopsyche]

What's the size of the tank ?

 

[oreo54]

What's the size of the tank ?

My tank is 24g AIO cube by Aquatop 18x18x18

 

[Jekyl]

I've finally come to the conclusion that my light is simply too weak to support sps corals. I was warned by my LFS this might be the case. The blue spectrum is just not strong enough. It's frustrating because I can turn up the white spectrum until the tank looks like a square fireball, but the white spectrum simply grows algae.

Nevertheless, I want to try one more thing.

I can purchase violet/blue colored stage lighting gels super cheap. If I were to cover the white LEDs on my light with these gels, could I turn the lights up to get the power I need without growing algae like crazy while giving sps what they need?

Don't get caught up on the color of the lights. It's not what makes the difference.

 

[oreo54]

I feel like this shouldn't be something you'd need to ask

Why?
Can't be many <24" t5 units out there..
Hating any lighting that doesn't "fit" anything it was a fair question.

T5 Aquablue Special

Why does BRS recommend this? ATI has been some of the most sought after bulbs in the reef aquarium hobby. With their bright crisp colors, ATI are our number one choice when it comes to T5 bulbs. With ATI bulbs you can use a single color on its own or you can mix and match to make the ultimate...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

No 18" or less AFAICT.

Not knowing ALL the bulb availability but reef centric tubes <24" do not seem to be common..
Guess there are "some"..

18" 18W (Saltwater) 420nm Actinic T5 Fluorescent Bulb R2302 - Current USA

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

Suppose you could cobble 6-8 of these together..

That would be a sort of redneck solution..
I've never seen an elegent 6-8 tube 18" or less all in one unit lately but ???
6 tubes, 6 fixtures $310..

150-250 Watt MH with quality bulbs/ballasts will cost just as much if not more..
Lot less if one goes Chinese bulbs at like $15 each BUT seems nobody likes those.
They will work I guess...And if one fails in 6 months just pay to ship it to China for a "free" replacement..
I LOVE that part.

IF either of those ( 6-8 18" tubes or 150-250MH) wouldn't work or my pricing is out of wack.. please tell me.
It's an old problem..

Any t5 lighting for an 18" cube

Having a hard time finding a fixture that fits my nano. Does anyone know where i can get one ?

forums.reefcentral.com

• 
  May 11, 2016
  Nope. You're stuck with LED's or MH. You can use T5 with a 3 inch overhang on each end....but......