Need some lighting advice

Humblefish · Jan 24, 2018

I'm setting up a bunch of 40 breeders (36x18x17), and I'm using rack stands for them (see below). Because of the way the rack stands are configured, I can only fit a 24" light (horizontally) or 30" (diagonally) above each tank.

1/2 of the tanks will be used for QT, and I primarily QT using only ambient light - so for these, I only need a light for feeding/checking on the fish. I would probably just go with some cheap LEDs from Lowe's or something, but it would be nice to have something dimmable. Maybe Lowe's/Home Depot sells something like that??

The other tanks will be setup in another room, for when the fish are out of QT. I need good white lighting (10K?) for photographing the fish, but it also might be nice to grow some corals in these tanks as well. Maybe just some xenia or mushrooms... something for aesthetics to make the fish feel more comfortable. Or maybe I'd rather grow some sticks in these tanks?

Thoughts on options everyone? I'd like to keep the cost somewhat reasonable (especially for the QTs), as I will need to be buying 16 lights total (for now).

EmdeReef · Jan 24, 2018

A friend of mine has this on his freshwater 75g. FWIW it’s worked well for 2yrs and looks pretty nice.

Not sure if that’s within your planned budget.

I’ve tried dimmable strip lights and cheaper stuff from HD, works ok but make sure you don’t mind the buzzing. Drove me nuts.

If you don’t mind me asking, are you planning to sell fish online? Would be great

Humblefish · Jan 25, 2018

@EmdeReef Thank you for that suggestion. It looks like a good option.

And yes, I am moving forward with selling quarantined, conditioned fish online.

Still setting everything up at this point though.

EmdeReef · Jan 25, 2018

Humblefish said:
@EmdeReef Thank you for that suggestion. It looks like a good option.

And yes, I am moving forward with selling quarantined, conditioned fish online. Still setting everything up at this point though.

Don’t want to hijack the thread but that’s great news! Congrats and best of luck!

Humblefish · Jan 26, 2018

for any other suggestions

SoreninKL · Jan 26, 2018

Humblefish said:
for any other suggestions

china black box as in mars aqua or 2 good old t5, I could imagine would do for mushroom and xenia.

cheers

SoreninKL · Jan 26, 2018

Humblefish said:
for any other suggestions

I had a look at your rack again and perhaps china black box is a little too close to the aquarium, at least for the lower ones.

sorryyyyy [emoji28]

Heliarc19 · Jan 26, 2018

Beamswork EA Timer 6500K 0.50W LED Aquarium Light Freshwater Plant (80cm - 30") https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A9F85PC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_EM8AAbYCE5G0T

I used these on a Fowlr for 5+ years and you can switch between white and blue

TheEngineer · Jan 26, 2018

Not dimmable or very fancy but they should give you light to just check in on them.

https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/90351729/

I use an IKEA led in my sump and have had no issues for 2 years with it.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 26, 2018

Your likely going to want to look at Fowler style leds for the fish tanks.

They , even though it’s hard to see, have very little blue red orange or yellow. All the colors algae loves.
Is actually has a curve bent more twards green than anything else. Similar to a cool white fluro tube.

Even though the tubes/led may have a reported color temp, 48fpr CW and 38for WW, the green is the predominant color.

A Fw plant Light of 48-56 will have less green and more R,Y,O,B.

Off hand I don’t have a reputable inexpensive name brand.
(Not a Fowler guy)
Stupid cheap ones may have a dirty spectrum (warm or blue). That’s what I’ve used for hob Refugiums.

For coral and coral pics , most any Reef led will do.
These are SBreeflight , and my corals look almost exactly like this in person. Shot on my phone no color correction. 1:1 W/B ratio.
It is also the color I use to grow the coral.

SoreninKL · Jan 26, 2018

thats is my refugium and the light is something like Emdereef and Heliarc19 suggested. I don't have the box anymore but if I remeber right its 6500K and blue. one pic is white only and th other is white and blue

cheers

don_chuwish · Jan 26, 2018

Dang that looks like fun. Finnex has some nice 'strip' style lights that could work - FugeRay2. Or maybe just simple T5 HO tubes & reflectors. A little extra $$ and they can be dimmable too.

Idoc · Jan 26, 2018

I have a single 16" SB Reef Light Basic on my 20g long coral quarantine tank and its working great. Its also mounted about 12" above the water. If buying several, I would look at the Chinese black box lights, though... similar and just a little less expensive.
As for your fish QT tanks... maybe just look into that LED flexible strip/rope lighting that you could mount above the tanks. It would be very flexible and allow you to have more or less lights above certain tanks, as needed. This would definitely help with the electric bill as well. I think you can put these on a rheostat as well, but nit sure.

Humblefish · Jan 26, 2018

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Keep 'em coming.

I think I'm going to go with some kind of "reef grade" light in the retail room so I can grow corals with the fish. I'm setting up a couple of coral/invert QTs in another room. The only thing is I will have to watch out which fish I put in with the corals.

Ento-Reefer · Jan 27, 2018

I was just saying in another thread how I wished there was an online retailer that sold quarantined and conditioned fish... and that I would most definitely be happy to pay a little more... I am super stoked to here you are doing this. Please let me know when you get started as I would love to be first in line...

Good luck.

Humblefish · Feb 1, 2018

Decided to go in a slightly different direction: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/led-suggestions-24x18-coverage-area.355838/

Black Box LEDs or similar. Any advice would be appreciated as I don't know jack about LED lighting.

I'm an old school MH/VHO guy, but that's not gonna work for 8-10 tanks in my retail room (electric bill).

PeterG · May 19, 2018

Humblefish said:
Decided to go in a slightly different direction: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/led-suggestions-24x18-coverage-area.355838/

Black Box LEDs or similar. Any advice would be appreciated as I don't know jack about LED lighting. I'm an old school MH/VHO guy, but that's not gonna work for 8-10 tanks in my retail room (electric bill).

@Humblefish I thought maybe you can offer me some guidance on coral QT lighting. I’m going to be setting up a 20 gal coral QT. (24lx12wx16d) and need to choose a light. An R2R member is selling a Kessil a350w (not a 360) for around $200. Would that be a better choice than one of these black boxes. Wondering if you opted for the SB Reef Light or one of the others mentioned in the above link and if you are pleased with your choice. Thanks for any insight.

Humblefish · May 19, 2018

PeterG said:
@Humblefish I thought maybe you can offer me some guidance on coral QT lighting. I’m going to be setting up a 20 gal coral QT. (24lx12wx16d) and need to choose a light. An R2R member is selling a Kessil a350w (not a 360) for around $200. Would that be a better choice than one of these black boxes. Wondering if you opted for the SB Reef Light or one of the others mentioned in the above link and if you are pleased with your choice. Thanks for any insight.

I actually went with these for my smaller tanks: https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/superlux/

Same size/coverage area as the Sbox 16" Basic, but for only $15 more you get a remote, built-in timers and it's programmable.

You also can't go wrong with a 4 bulb T5 fixture: https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Output-Fixture-30-Inch/dp/B0049PMT6K/

Or a 2 bulb if only keeping LPS/softies (20L is so shallow): https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Output-Fixture-24-Inch/dp/B002P9R2GO/

The downside to those is having to change the bulbs every 12-18 months.

PeterG · May 21, 2018

Humblefish said:
I actually went with these for my smaller tanks: https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/superlux/

Same size/coverage area as the Sbox 16" Basic, but for only $15 more you get a remote, built-in timers and it's programmable.

You also can't go wrong with a 4 bulb T5 fixture: https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Output-Fixture-30-Inch/dp/B0049PMT6K/

Or a 2 bulb if only keeping LPS/softies (20L is so shallow): https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Output-Fixture-24-Inch/dp/B002P9R2GO/

The downside to those is having to change the bulbs every 12-18 months.

Humblefish, thanks for the detailed reply and for taking the time to provide links. I looked at the Reefbreeder Superlux but it's currently on backorder. Sent an email to the company for info when they expect to have them again.
Still a newbie to reefing and don't know a thing about T5 lighting beyond that they are cheaper, run hotter and you need a mix of colors. If Reefbreeder on long backorder will prob go with Sbox.

Reef Breeders · May 21, 2018

PeterG said:
Humblefish, thanks for the detailed reply and for taking the time to provide links. I looked at the Reefbreeder Superlux but it's currently on backorder. Sent an email to the company for info when they expect to have them again.
Still a newbie to reefing and don't know a thing about T5 lighting beyond that they are cheaper, run hotter and you need a mix of colors. If Reefbreeder on long backorder will prob go with Sbox.

Hey Peter,

I just got back to you via email not too long ago!

We have more SuperLux due to be coming in next Monday.