Oceanic 45g Tech Tank Build Coming Up - Lighting Question

[Andy V]

Hello All,

I am going to be building a system around an Oceanic 45g Tech Tank over the next several months. I am moving around June and I will not be setting the tank up until then, so thankfully this will give me some much needed time and patience to plan and build a system exactly how I want it.

The tank is going to be LPS dominated with some softies as well. So my preference is to go with T5 lighting with LED moonlights/supplementation. The tank is 24" tall and the height of the lamp from the surface is adjustable to the degree that I get enough of a light spread.

Now I know this isn't exactly the correct way to think about this, but how much wattage will I need for this setup? All the 24" fixtures have 24 watt bulbs that I can find, so I am thinking that I will probably need 8 bulbs, i.e. 192 watts.

Second, should I go with one fixture with 8 bulbs, or two fixtures with 4?

Recommendations on brands/models are appreciated.

Let the fun/arguments begin!

 

[Andy V]

Another thing...perhaps a MH/T5 combo? Perhaps with a tank this deep it would be ok...what I am trying to avoid is washed out colors on the LPS that I have with my current setup with MH only. I really would like the shimmer effect too...will LEDs provide this if I go without MH?

 

[Andy V]

I am thinking of the ATI Powermodule 6x24w unit and perhaps a strip of LED's for shimmer. Thoughts?

 

[Reefried]

yeah forget the 8 just go 6X24 especially with the tank being lps/softie and cause ATI fixtures rock, but honestly forget the powermodule which is $700 with bulbs just get the new Sunpower for $519 WITH bulbs........the sunpowers now come with fans and a slpash gaurd, and the tank isnt SPS dominant so you dont need to squeeze out ALL the par a bulb has like the powermodule does, with its better reflectors and more fans.........i also like the led strip for night or to supplement the actinics.

 

[Andy V]

I was doing some reading on Reef Central and it seems that some people running Oceanic 45g Tech LPS/Softie tanks are using the 4x24w powermodule with great results. Might that be enough?

 

[twinypalm]

I have the 45G tech tank. Do you have the tank in possession yet? I think it will be a waste of money and PAR power if you go with the 6 bulb powermodule. This tank is not open top. The top of the tank has wide black rim so the opening is much smaller than 24"x18'. The 4 bulb fixture is more suited for this opening. If you are going to have a LPS/softy tank then the ATI 4x24W provides plenty of light.

 

[Andy V]

I have the 45G tech tank. Do you have the tank in possession yet? I think it will be a waste of money and PAR power if you go with the 6 bulb powermodule. This tank is not open top. The top of the tank has wide black rim so the opening is much smaller than 24"x18'. The 4 bulb fixture is more suited for this opening. If you are going to have a LPS/softy tank then the ATI 4x24W provides plenty of light.

I do have the tank and I see what you mean. Since I have never run a sump/reef ready system before, I have lots of questions. Would you mind if I used you as a resource over the next couple months? And if so, does PM work best? Thanks.

 

[twinypalm]

Sure. Pm me anytime. Do you have the sump to go with it. The inside of the stand is pretty small, no room for a big sump. I have the Oeanic model 2 sump.

 

[Andy V]

I do not have a sump yet. And I think you mean the Model 1 if you are running the 45g Tech, no? I was looking at the Aqueon Model 1, but I am not sure about it...I want to have a refugium in the sump, and it looks like the skimmer and return pump are in the same chamber in that sump, so micro bubbles may become a problem. It might work if you run the skimmer output back through the refugium though...what do you think?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...s/aqueon-modular-proflex-sump-filtration.html