I have been researching lighting a lot, unsure of what to get. My tank is 18” deep. I have been looking at T5 fixtures, Tek light or Current Nova Extreme pro. 4 lamps or 6 lamps both seem to be about the same price. The only major price difference is the legs for the Tek, I do not want to hang the light. I really don’t know what type of corals I want, I just don’t want to have to upgrade later. Everything I have read is that HQi is the only light that will support High light corals. Any info information will help a lot.
46 gal Bow Lighting?
- Thread starter wayne001
- Start date
PIMPALA
Well-Known Member
Unless you find some really narrow fixture, you wont be able to fit a 6 bulb on there without hanging it... and even then, a large portion of the bulbs will hang over the front.
i have a HQI 250w plus actenics on mine, and everything seems REALLY happy! It fit on the legs just fine, but i ended up hanging it anyway, because it didnt fit with my HOB macro fuge that i built, and i think it looks better hanging.
I had a 4 bulb T-5 on it for awhile, but I upgraded after only a few weeks.
i have a HQI 250w plus actenics on mine, and everything seems REALLY happy! It fit on the legs just fine, but i ended up hanging it anyway, because it didnt fit with my HOB macro fuge that i built, and i think it looks better hanging.
I had a 4 bulb T-5 on it for awhile, but I upgraded after only a few weeks.
PIMPALA
Well-Known Member
if you can drill the tank, i'd find a way to buld a sump and skip the RP3, and get a real skimmer... BUT, if thats not an option, try the RP3 out. Mine actually workds really good, and the skimmer seems to be doing its job! I have the cup attached to a 1 gallon milk jug with a hose, and it sure does put a lot of crap in there, so i know its working. gotta change the air stone out every month or so, but they are cheap, and its an easy change.
i think for our stand size, and limited space, its a decent choice. lots of racks for poly/carbon/whatever you want in there too.
i think for our stand size, and limited space, its a decent choice. lots of racks for poly/carbon/whatever you want in there too.
PIMPALA
Well-Known Member
if i was gonna re-do it, it would have a big skimmer, and a fuge with a light. and there ARE tanks that will "fit" in there... but they wont hold all the stuff that i want, so im just stickin with what I have for now, as it seems to be working, and my tank is VERY happy. ( i hate making changes when everything is happy. it seems like it takes FOREVER to go back to normal)
Beautiful looking tank! I love the corals! That's my goal.
I, too, have a 46 bowfront cycling right now. I had an extra 10 gal sitting around and turned it into a sump/fuge. I've got a Tunze DOC Nano skimmer in the sump.
Here's what it all looks like under the stand:
I built a wood surround to cover the whole thing up:
I, too, have a 46 bowfront cycling right now. I had an extra 10 gal sitting around and turned it into a sump/fuge. I've got a Tunze DOC Nano skimmer in the sump.
Here's what it all looks like under the stand:
I built a wood surround to cover the whole thing up: