Recommendations for a 2 ft tall tank

[dirtyxducks19]

Looking for recommendations on my 70gallon 3ft wide by 2 foot tall 18 inch wide tank. I don’t plan on keeping any sps like acros. I don’t want to break the bank but I’ve planned on lights to be my largest single expense. I love acans so I want enough right penetration to reach the bottom

 

[Jekyl]

Looking for recommendations on my 70gallon 3ft wide by 2 foot tall 18 inch wide tank. I don’t plan on keeping any sps like acros. I don’t want to break the bank but I’ve planned on lights to be my largest single expense. I love acans so I want enough right penetration to reach the bottom

Budget?

 

[Bruce60]

I like a combination of T5 and LED. I got a T5 combo (where I buy and install my own LED fixtures) for a 150 gallon (5' by 2' by 2'), and love the blending of the two. You can start with just the T5's and as you add more light requiring corals you can add the LEDs. At least a way to spread out the cost over time.

 

[dirtyxducks19]

Budget?

I’m aiming for under 1k. Like I said I don’t need to keep acros. My main worry is getting enough light to some acans at the bottom. I currently have a current USA marine orbit on my 30 gallon bow. I’m in the middle of upgrading to a 70gal. The current light works for keeping them alive but there is minimal growth so I plan on making the lights my biggest single expense. I know you get what you pay for. In my mind I can upgrade my skimmer, wave makers, etc. as time moves on. But I need lights for my current coral that I plan to house in a 10/20 gallon with the current orbit light until my new DT is ready. I’m looking for more penetration than intensity that drops off very fast. I won’t say no to 1k+ because I only want to buy lights once. So all said... I looking for suggestions for my depth versus price(although everyone loves a lower price)

 

[Jekyl]

Ap9x for sure. Love my kessils

 

[dirtyxducks19]

I like a combination of T5 and LED. I got a T5 combo (where I buy and install my own LED fixtures) for a 150 gallon (5' by 2' by 2'), and love the blending of the two. You can start with just the T5's and as you add more light requiring corals you can add the LEDs. At least a way to spread out the cost over time.

When I start the hobby T5 and MH where the way to go. I was young with no money to spend. Now I jumped back in and all I seee is LED on the market. My worries is heat production since my new build will have a canopy. I plan on installing a fan or two in the canopy but still.
id like to know more about your light settings/ schedule with the led/t5 combo

 

[dirtyxducks19]

Ap9x for sure. Love my kessils

Do you think a single unit would suffice? My LFS recommended 2- radios x15

 

[Jekyl]

Do you think a single unit would suffice? My LFS recommended 2- radios x15

AP9X LED Lighting Panel

Kessil's AP9x has redesigned LED chips and optics along with updated, more versatile software and built-in Wifi connectivity. The AP9X represents the combination of Kessil's best features, in a lighting package perfectly suited to a variety of mixed reef systems. The Kessil AP9X is the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

They can cover an even larger area if needed

 

[Jekyl]

I'm a bit of a kessil slappy however it's hard to find people who won't admit that the shimmer can't be beat.

 

[Bruce60]

When I start the hobby T5 and MH where the way to go. I was young with no money to spend. Now I jumped back in and all I seee is LED on the market. My worries is heat production since my new build will have a canopy. I plan on installing a fan or two in the canopy but still.
id like to know more about your light settings/ schedule with the led/t5 combo

I remember the MHs also. Like a miniature sun. Not to worry with LEDs. The T5's produce way more heat than the LED's, which barely get warm.

I run a 12-hour day on the tank. "Sunrise" starts with the LEDs ramping up. The T5's come on for 7 hours in the middle of the day (don't ask why 7...I think I started at 6 and added an hour at some point). The LEDs ramp down for sunset.

The ability to control intensity and color of the light over the day is a huge plus for LED. I can also run a lunar light with them. However, the LED is more of a point source light compared to the tubular T5, so you need to think about shading and light coverage as things grow. That's one reason I like the combo...the T5 mitigates the point source issue.

I rented a par meter and took a bunch of readings with each type of light separately, a few different power and temp settings for the LED, and both together. I have a mixed reef tank and PAR at the top of the reef runs in the 300-350 range and the sand bed is 200-250 when both are running at 'noon'. Now I feel more confident that I am delivering the correct intensity and color of light for the life in my system.

 

[dirtyxducks19]

I remember the MHs also. Like a miniature sun. Not to worry with LEDs. The T5's produce way more heat than the LED's, which barely get warm.

I run a 12-hour day on the tank. "Sunrise" starts with the LEDs ramping up. The T5's come on for 7 hours in the middle of the day (don't ask why 7...I think I started at 6 and added an hour at some point). The LEDs ramp down for sunset.

The ability to control intensity and color of the light over the day is a huge plus for LED. I can also run a lunar light with them. However, the LED is more of a point source light compared to the tubular T5, so you need to think about shading and light coverage as things grow. That's one reason I like the combo...the T5 mitigates the point source issue.

I rented a par meter and took a bunch of readings with each type of light separately, a few different power and temp settings for the LED, and both together. I have a mixed reef tank and PAR at the top of the reef runs in the 300-350 range and the sand bed is 200-250 when both are running at 'noon'. Now I feel more confident that I am delivering the correct intensity and color of light for the life in my system.

This is awesome insight!! Thank you! The concept of the T5’s spreading out the light is something I have not thought of. Maybe with the T5/LED combo I can keep the heat to a minimum in the canopy with some vent fans.
Do you have any suggestions on units or DIY combos?
Thanks again!!

 

[Bruce60]

This is awesome insight!! Thank you! The concept of the T5’s spreading out the light is something I have not thought of. Maybe with the T5/LED combo I can keep the heat to a minimum in the canopy with some vent fans.
Do you have any suggestions on units or DIY combos?
Thanks again!!

I ordered these units from BRS (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-hybrid-t5ho-4x39w-fixture-aquatic-life.html) - this is the 3' long model you would get. I see they now also make dimmable T5's for a bit more.
It holds four T5 bulbs, which you will find throws a nice amount of light during the early months before you have corals. Then, you can purchase one or two LED units and place them where they will be most effective based on your landscaping.

You will find that almost all the heat from lighting will come from the T5 and not the LED