Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

In all honesty the 3x55 doesn't look that good over the tank, I am use to high lighting and have you seen the senske's tropheus tank?

My 30g planted tank has more lighting then my Tropheus tank and then there's my 12g reef tank that stands right next to my Tropheus tank and it's running MH which looks super amazing!

Also Geoff....I think brown algae is diatoms that with more lighting will turn green.....mine went through the same thing but I was running only like 7hrs of lighting....3.5hrs in the morning then a noon break then another 3.5hrs...I killed the break with continuous lighting for about 10hrs and the greens bloomed.

Have you ever seen Metal Halide with high surface agitation? add Tropheus cutting through those light ripples and if you see what I am seeing in my head then you would want MH too! *****I guess it's easier for me cause the nanoreef is right next to the troph tank so I can look at the ripples then look back over to my Trophs.****

[ddaquaria]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Donals could you send me a picture of the canary cheeks under lighting like this?

.

I can get you some pictures under 192W (and if they don't spook to bad, with almost 400W).  

These guys are in my 3 footer, and my 4 footers have 520W.  Like I said earlier, as a everyday light, I only have 2 to 4 bulbs on which is about 130-260W.  When I want to show off my fish, enjoy the colors, take pictures -  I cut on 6 to 8 (390 to 520W).  If you go high light make sure they have independent switches.

What I would love to get, there is a PC+MH combo that I would like.  

D

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Yeah I believe that the 150 because its so tall, for the standard lighting of (2) 30W Bulbs is not enough light.  The 125 also has the single 30W bulbs but I got green algae everywhere.

So, the 115 is 24" tall, the 150 is 29" tall, and the 125 is only 21" tall.

My belief at this point is the (2) T5 HO 54W Bulbs will generate the same condition as the 125 gallon.  54W vs 30W at 24" vs 21" , which might make algae even more green.

I completely understand why you guys appreciate more light in your Tropheus tanks and that's why I am so torn by picking which one.

I dont want to spend alot of money, because this 115 is a used tank, but I already spent the money on new custom stand, glass tops, and filter.  So why skimp on the lighting   ??

I am torn between having a 60" Odyssea Power Compact, the T5-HO, and there is still a part of me that thinks the 60" OAK flourescent fixture is the way to go so it all matches, but I plan to sell this 115 in about a year when I move into a house, so dont really know if the lighting will be a selling point or not.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Well it looks like,

60" Flourescent Fixture comes with (2) 48" Twin Bulbs and is discontinued where I found it.

60" Flouresecnet Fixture with (1) 48" Bulb has no reflector, and is not going to be enough light I think

48" Coralife T5 I think is not powerful enough lighting on a 24" tank height at 2-28W bulbs

60" Odyssea Power Compact with (4) bulbs and (5) moonlights at 320 Watts of power, has a lot of  very poor reviews for quality.  So, even thought its a steal at $149.00, I think I'll pass.

48" Nova Extreme T5 HO  with (2) bulbs at 108W seems to be my only choice.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

I would go with the two last ones....

60" Odyssea Power Compact with (4) bulbs and (5) moonlights at 320 Watts of power, has a lot of  very poor reviews for quality.  So, even thought its a steal at $149.00, I think I'll pass.

48" Nova Extreme T5 HO  with (2) bulbs at 108W seems to be my only choice.

The first one is super cheap for what it is so if I was in your position I would probably give it a try....but then again I think Metal Halide is the way to go

   

[ddaquaria]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Donald could you send me a picture of the canary cheeks under lighting like this?

This is a JPEG under Auto WB with no touch ups to the picture.  I did a quick cleaning on the glass to remove some of the algae.  ISO 200.  Lights on this tank are 2-36" PCs (one at 6700 and the other at 8800)

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

That guy is beautiful!

[bethesdaboy]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Geoff,

I have kept trophs under everything from stem to stern.

MH was without a doubt the best lighting possible for all colorations i examined previously. But, I believe that will wash out a bland Annectens.

Of course, this is not an absolute but, take it for what you will as I mentioned, we can hook up whatever VHO or halide you want up here,

BTHO FSU!!!!

[Mzungu]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Just to make your life more difficult, found this on ebay:

60" T5HO

I'm not sure who makes it, though.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Oh goody, I wonder if its 60" T5 Lights or 48" lights?

Definately looks really nice.

[Delock]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

or hang a mh pendent about 2 feet about your tank.

A 175 or 250 would be great

[Mzungu]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Well, it does say the lights are 80W, which are the 60" size.  :)
The reflector doesn't look like the best out there, but I don't think that's something to worry about. At least it has one.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Do you think that's a black fan in the one end?

Buy it now for $60

Geezz.it's almost a throwaway if it's trash.

Do you know if 60" T5 are rather standard or do you think it would be some custom bulb?

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Here's the cheapest Current USA fixture I have been able to locate

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_Orbit.html

There are a couple like saltycritter.com that have it cheaper, but the shipping cost goes over this amount.

[Mzungu]

Re: Lighting for 60" x 18" with Tropheus Annectens

Giesemann makes 60" T5 HO bulbs, they're really good bulbs from what I hear. But I haven't really seen any more that I remember. I'll keep looking.