Lighting 60x24x12 frag tank?

[Denisk]

Hey all,

So I wanted to get some of your opinions on lighting a 60x24x12 inch frag tank. I have two ai prime HD’s laying around and wondering if I should just add one more for the time being to see if it would ample enough as it’s so shallow. If not I’m wondering if having a 6 bulb ati unit would be a nice option as well.

There will also mostly be sps and Zoas in the frag tank. I have had many lighting options in the past and am currently running 8 bulb ati unit on my display. I’m debating as to whether it would nice to have something diffferent on the frag tank.

Id love to hear some people opinions and what you would do?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Here's the specs on the prime

http://www.aquaillumination.com/lighting/prime/

Three would be fine four would be better.

You won't get the 250 -400 par for high light corals, but it should deliver the 100- 200 or so for zoa and low med light coral.

And yea, different is always more fun.

 

[Denisk]

Here's the specs on the prime

http://www.aquaillumination.com/lighting/prime/

Three would be fine four would be better.

You won't get the 250 -400 par for high light corals, but it should deliver the 100- 200 or so for zoa and low med light coral.

And yea, different is always more fun.

That’s interesting you say that. I saw that bulk Reef supply did a recent video on ai primes and saw that 4 in line on a 120 gallon tank 48x24x24 at 6 inches deep, they were getting an average of 290 par. Of course my tank is 60 inches so the numbers would be much lower. I feel it would be hard with ai primes especially if it’ll be almost 50/50 with sps and Zoas. I appreciate your insight though!!

 

[Velcro]

I'm planning on lighting a tank with the exact same dimensions soon. I'll probably run 4 bulbs of retrofit T5 with room in the middle for some LEDs of some kind.

 

[Denisk]

I'm planning on lighting a tank with the exact same dimensions soon. I'll probably run 4 bulbs of retrofit T5 with room in the middle for some LEDs of some kind.

Yeah I thought maybe I should do hybrid fixture with 3 or 2 ai primes and 4 48 inch t5 bulbs.

 

[solitude127]

I personally would try to mimic the lighting you have on your DT so that there's not much adjustment for the corals when they get put in the frag tank.

 

[Denisk]

I personally would try to mimic the lighting you have on your DT so that there's not much adjustment for the corals when they get put in the frag tank.

Hmm that’s also a good point. My t5’s do grow pretty much anything and everything lol.d do you think a 6 bulb 48 inch ati unit would suffice?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That’s interesting you say that. I saw that bulk Reef supply did a recent video on ai primes and saw that 4 in line on a 120 gallon tank 48x24x24 at 6 inches deep, they were getting an average of 290 par. Of course my tank is 60 inches so the numbers would be much lower. I feel it would be hard with ai primes especially if it’ll be almost 50/50 with sps and Zoas. I appreciate your insight though!!

Yup. Different size and different distance.

 

[Denisk]

This is interesting if I decided to do two ai primes and maybe add another one later.

Only concern is how good the t5’s on this unit are ;Bookworm

 

[Velcro]

This is interesting if I decided to do two ai primes and maybe add another one later.

Only concern is how good the t5’s on this unit are ;Bookworm

I think BRS just put a video out about it today

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'd still start w the two primes in that. And consider the hanging height if par is the concern.

I.e. , how high do you need the leds to get spread , and how much par will you get from the t5 that high up.

At 12in a single t5 appears to be about 150 par per tube.

 

[Denisk]

I think BRS just put a video out about it today

That’s funny. I literally just got the email about it.

 

[Denisk]

I'd still start w the two primes in that. And consider the hanging height if par is the concern.

I.e. , how high do you need the leds to get spread , and how much par will you get from the t5 that high up.

At 12in a single t5 appears to be about 150 par per tube.

Well that’s what I’m not sure about. I have two ai primes HD’s so I was thinking of just adding that aquatic life hybrid fixture. I just want to make sure that two ai primes and 4 t5 bulbs is enough to support healthy sps in a 60x24x12 frag tank. The reason I’m concerned about my sps is because my Red Sea 350 is running an 8 bulb 48 inch ati unit and they love it. However if I could get away with a little less bulbs, that ends up being less maintenance for me haha.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Well that’s what I’m not sure about. I have two ai primes HD’s so I was thinking of just adding that aquatic life hybrid fixture. I just want to make sure that two ai primes and 4 t5 bulbs is enough to support healthy sps in a 60x24x12 frag tank. The reason I’m concerned about my sps is because my Red Sea 350 is running an 8 bulb 48 inch ati unit and they love it. However if I could get away with a little less bulbs, that ends up being less maintenance for me haha.

Oh I get it!! Lol.
Keep in mind sps can be low light.

Just estimate the par in the sweet spot in the DT , and get close with the prime and retrofit.

 

[mcarroll]

12" deep?

Anything.

Plain Orbit Marine strips (not IC; not Pro) are pretty economical and have a nice controller. Perfect for this depth. If you wanted to hang the light a little off the tank vs resting on the tank, you might do better with an IC. If you're going with on-the-tank, then lots of non-controllable LED strips would work fine too.

I think your Primes would probably work, but with only two the reduced spread of light might be a bit more of an issue. I'd use a light meter ($15 "LX_1010B" at minimum) for the setup so you know where all your zones are.

A 6-bulb would obviously work, but so would 4.....depending on your plans, two 2-bulb fixtures might be even better so you could spread them out a little more. Hard to imagine setting up a non-LED fixture, however.

The reason I’m concerned about my sps is because my Red Sea 350 is running an 8 bulb 48 inch ati unit and they love it.

IF you decide to switch, I would lean toward some Current LED strips with lenses like the IC.

I still can't see putting up new T5's at this late date, but since you're already into the bulb-changing routine to the tune of something like $160 per cycle, I guess what's the difference going up to $280 per cycle, eh? Ouch!

Wow...you could buy a new Prime HD with the funds from just two cycles. In just four cycles you could have the whole tank covered in Primes.

And that's with a premium-priced LED fixture!

A DIY fixture like mine (gu10 led's) for your new tank only costs just a little more than one new set of bulbs for your old tank....about $170. It is not fancy so it is not dimmable and it does not have vanity colors, but it does use very strong lenses so you could mount it 12 inches over the tank with no problem. ( that's actually what it is designed for with the default lenses.)

 

[Denisk]

12" deep?

Anything.

Plain Orbit Marine strips (not IC; not Pro) are pretty economical and have a nice controller. Perfect for this depth. If you wanted to hang the light a little off the tank vs resting on the tank, you might do better with an IC. If you're going with on-the-tank, then lots of non-controllable LED strips would work fine too.

I think your Primes would probably work, but with only two the reduced spread of light might be a bit more of an issue. I'd use a light meter ($15 "LX_1010B" at minimum) for the setup so you know where all your zones are.

A 6-bulb would obviously work, but so would 4.....depending on your plans, two 2-bulb fixtures might be even better so you could spread them out a little more. Hard to imagine setting up a non-LED fixture, however.



IF you decide to switch, I would lean toward some Current LED strips with lenses like the IC.

I still can't see putting up new T5's at this late date, but since you're already into the bulb-changing routine to the tune of something like $160 per cycle, I guess what's the difference going up to $280 per cycle, eh? Ouch!

Wow...you could buy a new Prime HD with the funds from just two cycles. In just four cycles you could have the whole tank covered in Primes.

And that's with a premium-priced LED fixture!

A DIY fixture like mine (gu10 led's) for your new tank only costs just a little more than one new set of bulbs for your old tank....about $170. It is not fancy so it is not dimmable and it does not have vanity colors, but it does use very strong lenses so you could mount it 12 inches over the tank with no problem. ( that's actually what it is designed for with the default lenses.)

Wow! Thanks. I think for me I just want to be as economical as possible hence why I wanted to know everyone’s opinions on my ai primes that I already have. I’m sure I could go with a diy but I just don’t have the time to mess around/tinker and my wife won’t be happy if it doesn’t look good hahah.

Thanks for recommending the light meter. I never looked into those as I thought a 400 dollar par meter is the only thing you can use. I will have to look into the light meter you recommended.

I feel like I’m leaning towards the aquatic life hybrid fixture with my two ai primes and or just adding an additional ai prime having three all togeather.

Thank you!!

 

[mcarroll]

I feel like I’m leaning towards the aquatic life hybrid fixture with my two ai primes and or just adding an additional ai prime having three all togeather.

If adding a third is an option, that gets my vote vs the hybrid. I suspect you'll add a fourth someday too.

I do think there's something to be said (at least hypothetically) for switching to LED strips vs the spotlights. Strips will be MUCH MUCH more similar to the light in your main tank.

A pair of Current IC's or Pro's would do it, and would cost around $700-$800.

(I forgot the plain Orbits would not be a good fit on a 5' tank without lenses at their lower power and 48" length – you'll need to raise them off the tank for proper spread, which will kill the intensity on these guys.)

 

[Denisk]

If adding a third is an option, that gets my vote vs the hybrid. I suspect you'll add a fourth someday too.

I do think there's something to be said (at least hypothetically) for switching to LED strips vs the spotlights. Strips will be MUCH MUCH more similar to the light in your main tank.

A pair of Current IC's or Pro's would do it, and would cost around $700-$800.

(I forgot the plain Orbits would not be a good fit on a 5' tank without lenses at their lower power and 48" length – you'll need to raise them off the tank for proper spread, which will kill the intensity on these guys.)

Yeah the strip would be much more similar to the t5’s but currently not in the position to start rid of the primes as those are only a couple months old. No point in taking a loss.

Any good threads on how to use the lightmeter LX_1010B you recommended?

 

[solitude127]

Hmm that’s also a good point. My t5’s do grow pretty much anything and everything lol.d do you think a 6 bulb 48 inch ati unit would suffice?

most definitely. You can hang it 12" - 16" above for better light spread as well.

 

[mcarroll]

Lots of posts....not sure of any threads that are dedicated. Check the #lux tag (which I've used quite a bit, but not universally) and/or use the site search for the term.

Honestly, as @saltyfilmfolks has been known to say, just walking around metering light inside and outside for a day or two will open your eyes.

My Beginner’s Lux article might also help.