Ashrs 36x30x20 build!

[ashr]

Hey all

So as some of you know I lost most of my SPS tank last month. It was a pretty sad day to see all my hard work over the last 4 years die in 24 hours..

But life must go on! So it is time to rebuild a bigger and better tank!

This time I am having a custom tank made by Concept Aquariums. This will be a 36x30x20 cube tank with a bean animal over flow.

I have also picked up a 6 month old Vertex Omega 150 skimmer.
For lighting I have a couple of options. I have found a used 10x39w bulb STI sunpower fixture. Or I may go with a 8x39w Dimmable ATI fixture. Thoughts on this?

Here is the tank details ( says 36x36 but I changed my mind as it was a bit to big for what I needed)

[mseepman]

Sad to hear about the tank crashing. Always fun to start something new though. That is a nice size tank and knowing you it will be stellar in no time!

[ashr]

Originally Posted by mseepman

Sad to hear about the tank crashing. Always fun to start something new though. That is a nice size tank and knowing you it will be stellar in no time!

It was a pretty sad day for sure, but life goes on! I am very excited to get this tank up and running. Thanks for the kind words, I hope to make this one even better!

So Lighting

10 bulb used ATI sunpower

Or

8 bulb new ATI dimmable fixture?

[mikellini]

Originally Posted by ashr

It was a pretty sad day for sure, but life goes on! I am very excited to get this tank up and running. Thanks for the kind words, I hope to make this one even better!

So Lighting

10 bulb used ATI sunpower

Or

8 bulb new ATI dimmable fixture?

If I had the scratch, I'd go with the 8 bulb + LEDs. Since I can't afford that, I'm going with Kessil LEDs... I actually don't like the look of t5's on their own, too much like a picture of a tank than an actual tank. Also has been described as a "windex" look. But to each their own

[ashr]

I wish I could afford that! I think the wife would kill me if I did.. haha

I have always loved the ATI bulbs but never had the fixture. Could you go into more details with what you mean?

[mikellini]

Originally Posted by ashr

I wish I could afford that! I think the wife would kill me if I did.. haha

I have always loved the ATI bulbs but never had the fixture. Could you go into more details with what you mean?

For me, it's the lack of shimmer. It's nice that on the ati fixtures you can dim the bulbs for somewhat of a sunrise sunset effect, but having no shimmer just doesn't look realistic to me. And the colours... Sometimes they look amazing, but sometimes they look totally artificial. Maybe it's because I've done some diving and snorkeling on reefs in the ocean, I just expect my aquarium to look a little more like that. Plus, then there's bulb replacement, higher energy usage, and trying to find just the right colour combination of bulbs (spending as you go)...