Tank upgrade

[Shimis]

I'm upgrading to a 72 gallon bowfront from a biocube 32. Looking for suggestions on a light that would be reasonably priced.

 

[fcmatt]

I'm upgrading to a 72 gallon bowfront from a biocube 32. Looking for suggestions on a light that would be reasonably priced.

Can you tell us what you think is reasonable and what do you plan to keep under it?

 

[fcmatt]

This is what I would want to get.. used of course:

48" ATI SunPower 8x54W

47.0 inches

17.5 inches

2.1 inches

680 retail.. and if I could score it for 300-400 I would be very pleased. You could put anything under it and get to pick 8 diff bulbs to blend the spectrum exactly how you want it. Just replace bulbs on a rotational basis to keep your costs averaged out over the years instead of all at once per year.


The coverage would be so awesome. Edge to edge pretty much.

The other option would be used LEDs but I will let someone else with more experience chime in on that. But being 48 inch long tank.. you are looking at 4 units minimum to get the same coverage as above.

 

[Shimis]

Can you tell us what you think is reasonable and what do you plan to keep under it?

I was hoping to spend less than $500. I primarily have lps now. I would like to add some sps down the road. A lfs suggested noopsyche led.

 

[fcmatt]

To correct my post above.. I think my coverage estimate of LEDS is wrong. You would not need 4. I think they do a pretty good job of 24 inch by 24 inch coverage per unit now days. That means 2-3. Perhaps they do even better now days?

Like I said.. allow an LED person to chime in on those. I just happen to know more about T5 and my preference of running it. MH is out of the question now days.