Lighting Question for 220 Gallon

[ChrisTran]

2-250w and 2-400w

[reefhunter]

I would but heat is a big issue in the summer... but... I want more light!!

[ctenophore]

I would but heat is a big issue in the summer... but... I want more light!!

Then I would get better reflectors. These or these would give you a LOT more light for your watt.

 

Re: T5 placement, I would line up the above reflectors, then make "T" brackets from aluminum 1/8" barstock and mount the T5 endcaps so they are level with the bottom edge of the reflectors. I would mount them parallel to the tank, not perpendicular between the bulbs as you mentioned earlier. Does this make sense?

[reefhunter]

yes.. what length bulbs would you do? Also if you notice the PO cut my reflectors so that there was light distributed to the entire tank... I am worried if I get new reflectors I will have areas not lit up.... but I agree my reflectors are crap...

[amay121]

Justin,

 

You weren't supposed to tell folks about those Elites. I wanted to show them off first.

[reefhunter]

Guy can you post pics of how you have them mounted?

 

I would like to rebuild my canopy with new reflectors, t5's and ALOT of ventilation.... hmm... someone buy the 45 gallon...

[ctenophore]

yes.. what length bulbs would you do? Also if you notice the PO cut my reflectors so that there was light distributed to the entire tank... I am worried if I get new reflectors I will have areas not lit up.... but I agree my reflectors are crap...

(4) 3', two in the back, two in front.

 

Guy can you post pics of how you have them mounted?

 

I would like to rebuild my canopy with new reflectors, t5's and ALOT of ventilation.... hmm... someone buy the 45 gallon...

Build a new canopy so that the bulbs are 14-18" off the water. That will give you better spread and sacrifice little intensity.

[reefhunter]

Another thing I will note is that this tank has a large piece of glass under the two middle bulbs. It is a brace/support and majorly affects the light that makes it to the surface of the water. Originally I had all 175 watt bulbs. Then I upgraded the two over the glass to 250s. Maybe I should upgrade the middles to 400's and the sides to 250's and build a new canopy with new reflectors and T5's...

[reefhunter]

14-18" ? My bulbs are about 6-8 inches from the water now.

[amay121]

As of yet, I don't have them up. They probably won't be up until next year since the tank isn't up because the house hasn't been signed over, etc. etc.

 

It's the wifey deal. I can have my big tank as long as a few conditions are met:

 

1) We BUY a house

2) House is fully furnished

3) Buy and collect items for fish tank

4) House must be in better condition or appearance than the fish in the fish tank.

 

 

Still working on #1 and I'm collecting parts for #3.