What lights?

[Banjo-king]

So I acquired a new tank it was used in a LFS. It's an odd shape so I'm having trouble figuring out what type of lights I need. The dimensions are 52"x12"x12. So it's long and shallow. I'm worried that any lights I'll get will be to much. If that's possible. I'm still kind of new to the hobby. I can't find anything on lighting vs depth. Here's a picture of tank

I'm still cleaning the tank and building a stand and working out the sump.
Any thoughts would help.
Right now I've got a 20gal tall and the lights I'm using are the SLR-24 LEDs by aquatop. I do plan on keeping corals.

 

[Reefing Madness]

T5 lighting would be great for you. Couple of 4 lamp 24" units should do nicely.
Or
Bridgelux LEDs, Up to you, but I think that at that depth LEDs are overkill. But, they are efficient.

 

[evan.lundberg4]

T5 lighting would be great for you. Couple of 4 lamp 24" units should do nicely.
Or
Bridgelux LEDs, Up to you, but I think that at that depth LEDs are overkill. But, they are efficient.

+1 on this.

 

[Banjo-king]

T5 lighting would be great for you. Couple of 4 lamp 24" units should do nicely.
Or
Bridgelux LEDs, Up to you, but I think that at that depth LEDs are overkill. But, they are efficient.

I couldn't have asked for a better answer! Is there anything I can read or any advice on height of lights from the surface of the water. If I got t5's just wondering how high I should hang them. Or how I could judge it for myself. Thanks again.

 

[adupree]

could also just do a single 48in T5

 

[Reefing Madness]

You can hang them anywhere from 6" on up. Most would have them around 8-10" off the water.

 

[Banjo-king]

You can hang them anywhere from 6" on up. Most would have them around 8-10" off the water.

Thank you for all your help!

 

[Banjo-king]

could also just do a single 48in T5

I would but I don't want to upgrade down the road if I chose a more light demanding coral. Thanks for your advice though.

 

[adupree]

I would but I don't want to upgrade down the road if I chose a more light demanding coral. Thanks for your advice though.

Not a single bulb, a single fixture that's 48in long.

 

[TJ's Reef]

If you're handy and or capable of DIY I'd go with a modified kit from Steve's or Rapid LED. I can think of some AWESOME ways to do this tanks lighting, maybe even housing within a piece of brushed ABS or Schedule 80 pipe with the bottom cut out for light and concealing the heatsink and drivers above with fans at the ends. If you were closer would give you a hand as this is the kind of projects that get my creative juices a flowin'. Anyhow, (32) 3w emitters across length of that tank would give plenty of light. I'd suggest two circuits of 16 having a mix of RB's and Violets (RB-RB-V-RB-RB-V...) on a 'Blue Channel' and for 'White Channel' something like B-CW-CW-B-CW-CW-Cyann-CW-CW-B-CW-CW-Cyan-CW-CW-B. Heatsink USA has a 1.813" and a new 2.079" wide available now and could be hidden inside of pipe or ??? for a sweet looking hanging fixture giving you full access to tank.

Anywho.... just my $0.06 worth

Cheers, Todd

 

[Banjo-king]

If you're handy and or capable of DIY I'd go with a modified kit from Steve's or Rapid LED. I can think of some AWESOME ways to do this tanks lighting, maybe even housing within a piece of brushed ABS or Schedule 80 pipe with the bottom cut out for light and concealing the heatsink and drivers above with fans at the ends. If you were closer would give you a hand as this is the kind of projects that get my creative juices a flowin'. Anyhow, (32) 3w emitters across length of that tank would give plenty of light. I'd suggest two circuits of 16 having a mix of RB's and Violets (RB-RB-V-RB-RB-V...) on a 'Blue Channel' and for 'White Channel' something like B-CW-CW-B-CW-CW-Cyann-CW-CW-B-CW-CW-Cyan-CW-CW-B. Heatsink USA has a 1.813" and a new 2.079" wide available now and could be hidden inside of pipe or ??? for a sweet looking hanging fixture giving you full access to tank.

Anywho.... just my $0.06 worth

Cheers, Todd

I'll have to look into that, although I'm diy friendly just not an expert on doing it myself. Thanks

 

[Reefing Madness]

I'll have to look into that, although I'm diy friendly just not an expert on doing it myself. Thanks

Custom LED Strip - BML Custom
36 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers - Rapid LED

 

[TJ's Reef]

Well, if your up for it myself and others I'm sure would love to help you out here. It is not nearly as difficult as many think it to be and the hardest part of what I sketched out would be cutting the pipe on a Table Saw. The Led layout, circuiting, wiring in/up of drivers, POT's and fans are fairly straight forward with a lil help from your friends here...

Cheers, Todd

 

[Banjo-king]

Well, if your up for it myself and others I'm sure would love to help you out here. It is not nearly as difficult as many think it to be and the hardest part of what I sketched out would be cutting the pipe on a Table Saw. The Led layout, circuiting, wiring in/up of drivers, POT's and fans are fairly straight forward with a lil help from your friends here...

Cheers, Todd

Everyone on here has been so helpful I'm so glad to be apart of this community. I unfortunately do have a strict budget. I have a set of LEDs for my 20gal now. I'm going to hang them from my ceiling and move my coral(GSP) under it. I'm going to save up for the lights what ever way I go before I add any more coral. I have exactly $100 to spend from Christmas money to buy a return pump and PVC to get this tank going. I've been trying to trade anything I can for equipment. I traded a guy my remote control helicopter for the tank and sump. I never knew this hobby would be so addicting lol. I'm glad though I'm not filthy rich because I don't think I would appreciate it as much. Working so hard to get the little I do get is so fulfilling. Anyways I'm so thankful for the advice of others on this forum and look forward to getting y'all's help in the future.

 

[Bradsreeeftank]

Get rapid led. Best thing I bought

 

[glb]

I bought Steve's LEDs and have been very happy with them!