Lighting for 180 Fish only

Reefinny · Jan 26, 2019

So I have always had reefs and I am setting up a 180 Fish only tank as I want to have a few specimens that I can not house in my reef tank. I have about 14" From top of the tank to the ceiling beam where the tank is going. I am putting it above my sump in my sump room.

I am not looking to spend a ton of money on this project, and most of the lighting I have is overkill for a fish only system, Halides, T5 etc..

What is a good low profile option with out breaking the bank? I know all about the X30's and Hydras - kessils but looking for maybe a few other options.

I picked up a reef breeders 48" Photon locally I was thinking about that but not sure it will have the right spread - I will only be able to get it about 10" over waterline.

Its a 180 so 72 x 24 tank

DSC reef · Jan 26, 2019

What about adding a couple used kessils to the photon you already have to give you a bit of shimmer? Might look nice.

Reefinny · Jan 26, 2019

I thought of that, but if I am going to get 2 kessils for balance I would just go with the 3 lower profile and sleek.

The photon kinda fell in my lap. I wasnt really looking to buy it but got it in a bunch of trade I did.

I'm running a lot of lighting in my coral tank so I am really looking for best bang for the buck on a light and power usage.

jda · Jan 26, 2019

Those are WAY too much for a FO, IMO. Get some T5 shop lights from Home Depot, put some T5s in them and let them run until they burn out. You can get LED shop lights, but they are pretty yellow for most folks.

An old 2x VHO setup would be perfect since the bulbs are already 6 foot. Again, run these until they burn out.

This can also be a job for a Current Orbit light since they make 6' versions too.

Reefinny · Jan 26, 2019

jda said:
Those are WAY too much for a FO, IMO. Get some T5 shop lights from Home Depot, put some T5s in them and let them run until they burn out. You can get LED shop lights, but they are pretty yellow for most folks.

An old 2x VHO setup would be perfect since the bulbs are already 6 foot. Again, run these until they burn out.

This can also be a job for a Current Orbit light since they make 6' versions too.

Thanks. Great ideas I was thinking about the current