Lighting advice for new tank build

gmann · #1 10-02-2015, 07:07 AM

Hey folks,

Just wondering if i could get some advice or feedback for a tank build i plan on doing. My question is very similar to a thread created by maron6977 but i didn't want to hijack his thread with my own questions. Anyways...

I'm thinking of doing a 72"x30"x24 tank but am concerned about coverage for the extra 6" in tank depth as most lights have a 24 x 24 range. I've read up on others tank builds but most are of the 24' deep variety. Just wondering what others with this tank depth have done?

I've looked at both the kessil A360WE as well as the new AP700, but they only have 24" radius coverage. I've also thought about supplementing the tank with retrofit t5 but want to get away from it as i will lose the shimmer i love dearly. However if i must, then i would put the t5 towards the front like this super illustration that i made...

Thoughts?

Howie · #2 10-02-2015, 07:32 AM

Mitras have a very good spread. They can easily do a 30x30 area and some people do 36x36 with them.

Myka · #3 10-02-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmann

I'm thinking of doing a 72"x30"x24 tank but am concerned about coverage for the extra 6" in tank depth as most lights have a 24 x 24 range. I've read up on others tank builds but most are of the 24' deep variety. Just wondering what others with this tank depth have done?

I just want to confirm, the tank is 30" wide and 24" deep? I'd running T5s alongside LEDs. In use, once you add some rock to a tank, I really think that 24x24" (l x w) is stretching it for most LEDs unless you raise them up quite high. What type of corals are you planning?

maron6977 · #4 10-02-2015, 05:26 PM

If you want to see it in person , come on by . I'm in Cloverdale . Big investment , so you might want to check it out & see if it will work for you .
Mark

maron6977 · #5 10-02-2015, 05:54 PM

So, my thoughts - because I had the same concerns. Now keep in mind , I have a peninsula .
I don't really want things any closer than 2-3" to glass - so that now makes the tank from 29" (inside) to 23"-25" for needed light coverage. Also I'm probably not going to grow SPS on the bottom of the tank . Mind you , I do have a monti 3" off the glass & 4" up - so far seems good & happy.
I have my Kessils set 10.5" off water surface.
Again really happy with coverage & come by if you wanna check it out

maron6977 · #6 10-02-2015, 09:39 PM

Lastly , tank still shimmers pretty good !

gmann · #7 10-02-2015, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I just want to confirm, the tank is 30" wide and 24" deep? I'd running T5s alongside LEDs. In use, once you add some rock to a tank, I really think that 24x24" (l x w) is stretching it for most LEDs unless you raise them up quite high. What type of corals are you planning?

front to back will be 30", while top to bottom will be 24'

currently in my 24' x 24' cube, my kessil is 8.5" above the surface and it covers everything.

as for corals, i'll only be keeping lps.

gmann · #8 10-02-2015, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maron6977

So, my thoughts - because I had the same concerns. Now keep in mind , I have a peninsula .
I don't really want things any closer than 2-3" to glass - so that now makes the tank from 29" (inside) to 23"-25" for needed light coverage. Also I'm probably not going to grow SPS on the bottom of the tank . Mind you , I do have a monti 3" off the glass & 4" up - so far seems good & happy.
I have my Kessils set 10.5" off water surface.
Again really happy with coverage & come by if you wanna check it out

thanks for the offer Mark!

Im thinking the same as you in that there will be nothing in the back of the tank cept for the rock, so it probably wont need as much coverage. That would mean i stack all my zoas & frags towards the front of the structures.

blah still got a month to dwell on this lol

thanks everyone