Upgrading lighting on a 220G

[Rawsreef]

Hi all, the tank is a standard 72x24x30 (If I recall) , currently with a 48 dimmable ati 6x54w.

I have not done any par tests, but I do not feel I am getting enough coverage on the tank by just looking at it.


What would be the best add ons in your opinion to get that desired coverage ?

 

[dedragon]

i would add another 6 bulb t5 but 24" and either 2 or 4x led bars. There are also the options of buying a 60" t5 and adding led bars or going full led (could go MH but not many people do anymore)

 

[rtparty]

A couple 66” AI Blade Grows. One front and one back would fill in the dark edges nicely. A 48” T5 isn’t covering 72” and 6 bulbs aren’t enough for the 24” front to back

 

[mtraylor]

What is budget and future plans? Do you plan on keeping existing light? How is it mounted?

Looks like your plans are mixed reef. Plan on allot of sps?

 

[Rawsreef]

A couple 66” AI Blade Grows. One front and one back would fill in the dark edges nicely. A 48” T5 isn’t covering 72” and 6 bulbs aren’t enough for the 24” front to back

You literally read my mind lol. Except the blades are $700+ each was hoping I could find a cheaper alternative.

What is budget and future plans? Do you plan on keeping existing light? How is it mounted?

Looks like your plans are mixed reef. Plan on allot of sps?

Correct mixed reef, I would like to have lots of sps down the road. The current fixture I would like to keep, and is mounted on the cable mount that came with it. I will post photos later, basically it hangs about 8 inches over the water inside the hood.

 

[mtraylor]

Maybe a couple 60" led bars will round out what you need and not break the bank. You can start with 2 and if that's not enough. You can add 2 more

 

[nereefpat]

What bulbs are you running? It looks like it needs some daylight bulbs? I wouldn't do any ramping, just about 8 hours full on.

If you have the 6 bulb centered, it should cover most of the tank back to front. You don't have sticks on the front glass, it looks like. So for coverage, the issue is the ends, if you are wanting more light demanding corals there. You could add some sort of "puck" LED to each end for cheap, but it might look funny. "Bars" are your other option. If you go that route, to me it doesn't make sense to get one less than 72" long. There aren't many 72" bars. SB Reeflights does make 72" models. I wouldn't touch an AI Blade, until they get some quality control corrected, for the price.

 

[Rawsreef]

Maybe a couple 60" led bars will round out what you need and not break the bank. You can start with 2 and if that's not enough. You can add 2 more

Originally I wanted to put led bars around all sides of the current t5 fixture.

Something like 2 66" bars (72" probably won't fit) parallel to the t5 fixture, one in front and one behind. And 2 maybe 18-22 inch (Im not sure 24 would fit) on the sides, one on each side.

The idea was to make a rectangle of led bars around the existing fixture.

This idea is not very cost efficient, so I was looking for an alternative.

 

[Rawsreef]

What bulbs are you running? It looks like it needs some daylight bulbs? I wouldn't do any ramping, just about 8 hours full on.

If you have the 6 bulb centered, it should cover most of the tank back to front. You don't have sticks on the front glass, it looks like. So for coverage, the issue is the ends, if you are wanting more light demanding corals there. You could add some sort of "puck" LED to each end for cheap, but it might look funny. "Bars" are your other option. If you go that route, to me it doesn't make sense to get one less than 72" long. There aren't many 72" bars. SB Reeflights does make 72" models. I wouldn't touch an AI Blade, until they get some quality control corrected, for the price.

3 coral plus
Two actinics and 1 blue

If memory serves.

I don't think 72" would be ideal since the tank itself is 72" I would probably need something closer to 68-70" so that it won't be too tight.

 

[nereefpat]

3 coral plus
Two actinics and 1 blue

If memory serves.

Assuming the actinics are ATI, those are really dim to the eye, although supposedly they do put out PAR along with some pop. Looking at my T5 fixture, the B+ and C+ are really bright but you can barely tell that the actinic is firing.

I bet if you went with 3 B+ and 3 C+, it would look visually a lot brighter.

I don't think 72" would be ideal since the tank itself is 72" I would probably need something closer to 68-70" so that it won't be too tight.

I like the plan of a surrounding the T5 fixture with bars. If you run a 60" bar up front, then two 24" bars on the sides, that seems like a good plan to me. You could accomplish that with Reefbreeders bars in the 5-600 dollar range.

 

[Rawsreef]

Assuming the actinics are ATI, those are really dim to the eye, although supposedly they do put out PAR along with some pop. Looking at my T5 fixture, the B+ and C+ are really bright but you can barely tell that the actinic is firing.

I bet if you went with 3 B+ and 3 C+, it would look visually a lot brighter.


I like the plan of a surrounding the T5 fixture with bars. If you run a 60" bar up front, then two 24" bars on the sides, that seems like a good plan to me. You could accomplish that with Reefbreeders bars in the 5-600 dollar range.

Yeah same here when I look at the actinics they are very dim. But I do like the pop the corals get from this spectrum. I will have to do some research on the reef breeders cause that is definitely a lot closer to my budget.

 

[oreo54]

Yeah same here when I look at the actinics they are very dim. But I do like the pop the corals get from this spectrum. I will have to do some research on the reef breeders cause that is definitely a lot closer to my budget.

AS to "cost effective"..

ReefBar Pro

ReefBar Pro

21ledusa.com

There are 4 68" "colors" to choose from..

From blue heavy to full spectrum..

Bit more "work" but another option..

good led bar light?

Populargrow on AliExpress. It’s default 470nm you can chat with them via support and have it be made up of a variety of LEDs. Mine is 450nm and 470nm. $60 total including shipping and solid build quality. @Telegram on Instagram did a really nice review. Looking at their website the LED bars and...

www.reef2reef.com

Populargrow on AliExpress. It’s default 470nm you can chat with them via support and have it be made up of a variety of LEDs. Mine is 450nm and 470nm. $60 total including shipping and solid build quality. @Telegram on Instagram did a really nice review.

 

[mtraylor]

My aquarium is 72" long and I use 60" led bars on the sides of my orphek icons. No issues and all the light goes into the aquarium with no over spill. I don't see any negative areas

 

[mtraylor]

I don't think you will need light bars on ends of aquarium due to the refracted light

 

[dedragon]

the only problem with just adding the 60"+ led bars with the 48" t5 is that the ends of the aquarium will mostly be lit by the led bars and will have a slightly more blue color than the rest of the tank, which is why I recommended adding a t5 unit or replacing the t5 with a larger 60" one. Its not bad in any way but you might not like the visual look of it. Just putting it out there so you know beforehand

 

[mtraylor]

Ah I see. Makes since. The spread is really nice on t5's, but I guess not that nice. I agree that all 60" would look nicer but would be heavier on the pocket

 

[oreo54]

Ah I see. Makes since. The spread is really nice on t5's, but I guess not that nice. I agree that all 60" would look nicer but would be heavier on the pocket

Not as bad if one could sell the 48" though..

Ah I see. Makes since. The spread is really nice on t5's, but I guess not that nice. I agree that all 60" would look nicer but would be heavier on the pocket

OK so a 60" 6 tube (8 is probably better but $$$)

ATI 60" 6x80W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture | Premium Aquatics

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$672.. BTW I get a 10% off pop up soo..$604
Increases your wattage by 156 Watts..$120 in bulbs..
Assuming you get the same.. $704
How much to add 156W of LEDs?
Now minus what you think you can get for the 48" light..
Retail is about $725
2-3-$400?

Food for thought.
Oh would be switching from dimmable to not dimmable..