Selecting lighting

Amandarian · Jul 13, 2017

I'm looking for insight on lighting for my Tank: 12.75 in L x 48.5 in W x 25 in H. It's a 60 gallon. I'm new to saltwater and want hard and soft corals to grow in this tank. Prefer not to spend over 350. I'd prefer something that's not noisy or super wide. I've looked into getting a fluval t5 ho or fluval sea full spectrum marine and sea. It needs to go over tank not with brackets not hang.

lennyd19 · Jul 13, 2017

You could use the fluval quadruple fixture should be enough to support the corals you would like. Just make sure to use a better bulb like ATI. I have 2 of the fluval 3' fixtures on my 50gal as supplement and they do great I get great color and growth. Do some research on the combo you would like. I use 2 purple+ and 2 blue+. I would suggest you do 2 blue+,1 coral+ and 1 true actinic or 1 purple+. As this will be your main lighting so you get some different spectrums. Check out Ati's website there is a tone of info. Hope this helps.

Amandarian · Jul 13, 2017

Do u need two or could I use just one?

Reefrookie220 · Jul 13, 2017

Chinese black box leds, will support the coral your wanting to have, and at 150 bucks or less for 2 units you'll save money that will be needed elsewhere in your start up. Try mars aqua.

Amandarian · Jul 13, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
Chinese black box leds, will support the coral your wanting to have, and at 150 bucks or less for 2 units you'll save money that will be needed elsewhere in your start up. Try mars aqua.

Don't u need to hang those tho?

lennyd19 · Jul 13, 2017

If I understand your post your tank is 12 3/4" wide. And the fixture is 10" so one would suffice IMO. Leds are also a good choice cause the are cheaper to run and throw off less heat than t5. And you will not have to change bulbs once a year. Black box Leds can be a little tricky to dial though from what I hear. If heat is not an issue I would stick with t5.

Reefrookie220 · Jul 13, 2017

Amandarian said:
Don't u need to hang those tho?

You can, and most include hanging kits. I've got mine in a canopy though.

Amandarian · Jul 13, 2017

lennyd19 said:
If I understand your post your tank is 12 3/4" wide. And the fixture is 10" so one would suffice IMO. Leds are also a good choice cause the are cheaper to run and throw off less heat than t5. And you will not have to change bulbs once a year. Black box Leds can be a little tricky to dial though from what I hear. If heat is not an issue I would stick with t5.

Heat doesn't bother me as long as it's not gonna melt the tank! Would the fluval sea and marine Led produce enough light needed for corals tho? I wouldn't mind a light that mounts to back of tank but I can't hang Anything from ceiling!

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 13, 2017

Coralife. T5 four tube is a pretty goood fixture choice and the bulbs are not bad.

Some use the Odyssea brand t 5 from eBay and then replace the tubes with ati tubes. The Odyssea generally come with. Built in timers for the price. The tubes that come with it are ok, prob. It as good as coralife but you can slowly swap for better ones. I know a reputable seller if you'd like the link.

Both come with mounting legs.

The black boxes do come with legs but some don't like the look on the tanks.

I'm not familiar with the led you listed, most in that price range at not enough light for higher light coral , but I would reccomend an led strip like that and a two tube t5 fixture to go with it. Or a four tube if they fit.
The led is low heat and you can run it longer. And then just use the t5 for four or five hours.

.

Amandarian · Jul 13, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Coralife. T5 four tube is a pretty goood fixture choice and the bulbs are not bad.

Some use the Odyssea brand t 5 from eBay and then replace the tubes with ati tubes. The Odyssea generally come with. Built in timers for the price. The tubes that come with it are ok, prob. It as good as coralife but you can slowly swap for better ones. I know a reputable seller if you'd like the link.

Both come with mounting legs.

The black boxes do come with legs but some don't like the look on the tanks.

I'm not familiar with the led you listed, most in that price range at not enough light for higher light coral , but I would reccomend an led strip like that and a two tube t5 fixture to go with it. Or a four tube if they fit.
The led is low heat and you can run it longer. And then just use the t5 for four or five hours.

.

Yes a link would be good

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 13, 2017

Amandarian said:
Yes a link would be good

Got it. Gimme a second.

Up high on the wish list and some research would be the sbreeflight 32 in ramping. It's a low budget Cadillac , it you can see what black box looks like on a 48in tank w legs.