Lighting advice

mtbaldyrider · Feb 28, 2019

I have a unique tank that I built into a coffee table in my living room and I've posted a question concerning some advice on it before, but through my brothers account. Im really enjoying the hobby and figured id better just make my own account because I have more questions.

I set out to build a freshwater aquascape tank for my house and wanted to try and build it into a custom coffee table. I saw my brothers reef tank and without doing enough research, I opted to change my plans and make it a saltwater tank. Much hindsight has ensued.

I build custom cabinetry and furniture and I have LED lighting that we sometimes run in our display cabinets and I decided to run this as my tanks primary lighting source. For the past 5 months almost, it has worked fine, but I want to improve and start growing corals, not just the fish. Plus, I know the lighting is just not proper for it and I want to make it right. What kind of lights should I use? From the water to the underside of the glass (refer to the photos) you can see I only have 4 3/4". I was considering the Aqua Illumination Prime HD on two separate brackets the could come off the back of the cabinet body behind the tank, but I'm open to hearing ANY reason thats a bad call and what others would do instead. Price is something I do want to keep in mind though. I can't drop too much and I don't really want to either. The current LED lighting is inside the frame I am pointing at.

The tank is 65 gal.

Thanks

Ron Reefman · Feb 28, 2019

There is a ton of options for you. I think leds are the best, but for your application, maybe a couple of t5 fluorescent bulbs can be hidden into a frame similar to what you have now? Two in front and 2 in back should be enough for most corals. I just see any led fixture as almost always needing to be over the tank which will make for an ugly look when viewed from above.

Good luck. BTW, that is one beautiful table!

mtbaldyrider · Feb 28, 2019

Thank you Ron
I forgot to mention that one of the reason I was looking for advice on this was because standing above the table when the lights are on is probably one of my favorite ways to look down at my tank and I was not particularly fond of obstructing that view. The current light I have now, is in a one inch frame that sets within the inner lip of the tank. I roughly lose about two inches around the whole tank of viewing area while looking down (not that big of a deal). I was looking into the T5's and it would seem I would lose about two inches front and rear doubling the loss of view if I was to fabricate a custom light housing. Thats why I was considering two of the AI Prime HD lights spaced out evenly each one third across the tank surface, but was unsure if the 4 3/4 inch above the water was enough hight for the light to cast out properly.

Ron Reefman · Feb 28, 2019

OK, then you need somebody who has an AI Prine HD to give you a footprint of light at 4 3/4" above the water... but over how deep a tank? 4 3/4 plus 24" or 20"?

dantimdad · Feb 28, 2019

First off, that tank is awesome!

Second, I would consider light bars from either Orphek or ReefBreeders.

You can mount them to where you can tilt them to get the right aim.