Lighting suggestions for an 8’ 240

[OutColdCRNA]

Not to complicate things but the new Orphek bars allow pretty much unlimited programming along with a lunar schedule that mimics natural moonlight. If it were me, I would go with more Noop's and add two bars which pull out the fluorescence in the fish and corals.

Ugh! Not another option to have my head run around haha!!

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

I would add 2-3 250 mh to your current leds

 

[Reefering1]

Only thing I would add... don't bother with a led that's trying to imitate mh, either get actual halides or leds that are good at what they do. Or mix technologies. Just don't bother with one trying to be like the other

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Only thing I would add... don't bother with a led that's trying to imitate mh, either get actual halides or leds that are good at what they do. Or mix technologies. Just don't bother with one trying to be like the other

Thats valid, I am torn between adding more noops and a few bars or going all out bars and really blanket the tank in light.

 

[Reefering1]

Thats valid, I am torn between adding more noops and a few bars or going all out bars and really blanket the tank in light.

I am not very familiar with many different LED's. but I keep hearing good thing's about the noops.. I imagine if you put enough over the tank, they will do the job. You can always add more if not satisfied with coverage with 8(I think 8 will do). add enough and the tank is fully blanketed, right?

 

[Reefering1]

Although 3 250w mh surrounded by 4 noops(perpendicular to tank, between and outside pendants) will never leave you needing more intensity or coverage.
And would be cheaper than all other options

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Although 3 250w mh surrounded by 4 noops(perpendicular to tank, between and outside pendants) will never leave you needing more intensity or coverage.
And would be cheaper than all other options

Problem I foresee with MH is that they will be in a canopy and the heat they create. Although i have never run them so I can’t speak from experience on that front.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Not sure how deep the tank is. If it’s not too deep and heats a concern run 150 de halides they are a bit less heat

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’m running two 250 watt halides on a 6’ tank. There are no heat issues with halides in my canopy. All you need is a small fan blowing along the surface of the water.

Halides and LED are an awesome combination.

 

[Reefering1]

I think the biggest hurdle would be finding 3 nice, matching, pendants. I have 2 hqi's and 3 hydra64s in a closed canopy. A vent(3" slot), along the back of top, running the length of canopy and some fans go a long way. I'm in fl with 78-79* ambient temperature, running a dehumidifier to force evaporation without wetting the house. I do have a 1/3 hp chiller plumbed in as backup in case central air conditioning or dehumidifier fails. It hardly ever runs. Dehumidifier is almost mandatory with a tank that size regardless, my 180 was evaporating about 1.5 gallons a day, that's alot of moisture soaking into your house. Don't want to encourage mold or mildew

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Not sure how deep the tank is. If it’s not too deep and heats a concern run 150 de halides they are a bit less heat

Tank is 24” deep.

I’m running two 250 watt halides on a 6’ tank. There are no heat issues with halides in my canopy. All you need is a small fan blowing along the surface of the water.

Halides and LED are an awesome combination.

Planning on adding two fans built into the canopy to help dissipate any heat created.

I think the biggest hurdle would be finding 3 nice, matching, pendants. I have 2 hqi's and 3 hydra64s in a closed canopy. A vent(3" slot), along the back of top, running the length of canopy and some fans go a long way. I'm in fl with 78-79* ambient temperature, running a dehumidifier to force evaporation without wetting the house. I do have a 1/3 hp chiller plumbed in as backup in case central air conditioning or dehumidifier fails. It hardly ever runs. Dehumidifier is almost mandatory with a tank that size regardless, my 180 was evaporating about 1.5 gallons a day, that's alot of moisture soaking into your house. Don't want to encourage mold or mildew

I more than get the humidity and heat. I’m in Louisiana.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Everything I know about MH is that they are coral growing champions. Fairly certain I don’t want to go that route.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I have several options in mind for this tank build. The tank dimensions are 8’x2’x2’ eurobraced with glass cross braces. So thoughts so far. As I have 3 noop k7 pros already. Tank will be mixed reef. Sps up top of rocks.

-buy 4-5 more noops and run perpendicular and supplement with 4 quanta pro bars.$1350’ish

-run 10 4’ quanta pros without the noops.$1850

-quanta has some new bars and lights coming out that simulate MH lights. Should I wait for these. Approximately $2400

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

3 noopsyche K7 pro

3 Ai Hydra 26/32hd

6 orphek OR3 120 light bars

 

[OutColdCRNA]

3 noopsyche K7 pro

3 Ai Hydra 26/32hd

6 orphek OR3 120 light bars

As in add three hydra to my noops and add 6 orphan bars?

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Wonder if @telegraham may have some input as well. Thanks!!

 

[OutColdCRNA]

I’m really starting to think about using 6 total noops and 4 quanta pro bars. With how the glass braces on the tank are then I would have two noops per open section of water. Would the glass braces decrease lights that much? I guess seeing the actual pictures, the open 3 sections are not the same the center is smaller. 6 would place the lights every 1.3 feet evenly spaced across the tank

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Wondering if there is a benefit to running the noops perpendicular vs parallel? I still think 6 would be sufficient even though the tank is 24” wide.

 

[oreo54]

Wondering if there is a benefit to running the noops perpendicular vs parallel? I still think 6 would be sufficient even though the tank is 24” wide.

Not seeing any major advantage to the sideways
orientation with 6 lights

Suppose there is a slight disadvantage if you think you may add some bars in the future.

Your footprint would be 18" length x24" wide ( (8x12/6) which does slightly favor the "put the long side parallel to the long side".

Suppose the rockwork design may influence it a bit. Central or more to the back.

Toss a coin I guess. Or map par each way.

Think the pictures tank is 80"x22"x22".
Close enough. Not my idea if suacing though

Noopsyche K7 Pro II Data

Whites off Remaining channels at 50, 75, 100% I still have the BRS rental MQ-510, any other tests you would suggest?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[telegraham]

Wonder if @telegraham may have some input as well. Thanks!!

Apologies if I missed it. What color do you like? Are you a 14,000Ker or a 20,000Ker, or yes?

 

[OutColdCRNA]

No worries! I like a whiter tank during the day with a bluer period in the morning and at night. Not a windex blue though.