Lighting Questions for Reef Tank

[Riggins76]

My lights just went out on my fish tank lid. I have been planning to buy a new light anyway because I would like to get into the reefing hobby. I have a 23" High x 12" Deep x 30" Long tank. After all of my research I have done, I am thinking I am just going to go straight t5 but my plan is to buy a t5 hybrid (more specifically this one here ) and not buy the LED until I get serious about the hobby in 2-3 months from now.

My questions are:
1. Is the 24" model the right size for the tank? It seems like it but I don't really understand the angle at which it will travel out of fixture.
2. I haven't been able to find the answer so maybe I am just missing it, but are t5's programmable like LEDs? For example starting up slow and going down slow to model sunrise/sunset. Also when I say programmable, are there t5s that are wifi enabled? I didn't see it on this any of the information so maybe it is a dumb question but don't know much about lighting as of yet.

 

[Reef.]

No sunrise etc as far as I know, they are either on or off.

Maybe you would be better with the led first, as you say you don’t know if you are serious about the hobby yet, led would be easier to sell, not sure how long replacement bulbs for T5s will be around is an issue too.

 

[X-37B]

For your system pick led or T5. You really dont need both but it wont hurt.
24" 4 bulb unit is all you need in that tank. It will grow anything and that hybrid fixture is an excellent option for additional leds.

T5's are on off and most dont have a timer.

Take a look at the NP K7 V3. Around $200 with a mount.
I run one on my 5 month old 20g nano. They are gen 4 radion copys and work well. Plus you can use them on any upgrade.
My 20g nano cube.

 

[Propane]

Forgive my ignorance but is that a 29 gallon tank. I’m having trouble picturing it.

 

[Riggins76]

I believe it is a 37 gallon (I bought it 5 years ago and can’t remember)

 

[Reef.]

From your measurements it’s 35g, but will be nearer 30g time you deduct the glass and the couple of inches to the water line etc.

 

[Propane]

Thanks for the answer and pic. Never seen one before.

 

[Riggins76]

For your system pick led or T5. You really dont need both but it wont hurt.
24" 4 bulb unit is all you need in that tank. It will grow anything and that hybrid fixture is an excellent option for additional leds.

T5's are on off and most dont have a timer.

Take a look at the NP K7 V3. Around $200 with a mount.
I run one on my 5 month old 20g nano. They are gen 4 radion copys and work well. Plus you can use them on any upgrade.
My 20g nano cube.

I appreciate you response. Do have a link that has the all in on package including stand? Or did you buy the stand separate from the light?

 

[X-37B]

I appreciate you response. Do have a link that has the all in on package including stand? Or did you buy the stand separate from the light?

The mount/stand comes with the K7 . I paid $219. They sell them for less without the mount.
Jump on this as its less than what I paid and comes dirrect from NP. Proabably $219 shipped

NooPsyche K7 PRO IV Full Set Reef Aquarium LED Coral Light

NP K7 PRO Aquarium LED Coral Light. Better spectrum out / Excellent Growth / Feed Almost all the of the SPS/LPS coral in one reef tank isn't a dream especially red coral / Natural perfect mixing and Shimmer / Superior Color Mixing / The best mixing spectrum technology / Affordable price Best LED...

noopsychereeflight.com

 

[Riggins76]

The mount/stand comes with the K7 . I paid $219. They sell them for less without the mount.
Jump on this as its less than what I paid and comes dirrect from NP. Proabably 2$19 shipped

NooPsyche K7 PRO IV Full Set Reef Aquarium LED Coral Light

NP K7 PRO Aquarium LED Coral Light. Better spectrum out / Excellent Growth / Feed Almost all the of the SPS/LPS coral in one reef tank isn't a dream especially red coral / Natural perfect mixing and Shimmer / Superior Color Mixing / The best mixing spectrum technology / Affordable price Best LED...

noopsychereeflight.com

Just bought it. Thanks for the insite.

 

[X-37B]

Just bought it. Thanks for the insite.

Nice! Start a build thread so we can folllow.

 

[RedoubtReef]

ATI makes a dimmable 24" 6 bulb fixture with built in controller that would work for you.

Dimmable SunPower - ATI North America

Dimmable SunPower T5 lighting with built-in control for proven coral growth and coloration Time-tested, proven results The ATI Dimmable SunPower has been delivering proven results worldwide for more than five years. We recommend using ATI T5 bulbs in your fixture, which will help you produce...

www.atinorthamerica.com

 

[Riggins76]

Nice! Start a build thread so we can folllow.

Just started it. You can find it here. Want to thank you again for the recommendation.