Lighting for rimless 30" x 30" x 18" deep reef tank

Question:

I have a rimless 30 (l) X 30 (w) X 18 (h) inch marine tank. Getting alot of different advice on the lighting. To grow LPS and SPS corals, what lights would you recommend. I may also want to mount on tank so would need brackets. Also can't find anyone selling the Nep-Tune lights?

Many Thanks.

Answer:

Hi Vishal

The Nep-tune lights can be ordered in from any D-D retailer/stockist, if you
have a problem let us know your location and we can advise.

For you aquarium a single 250 watt halide complemented by T5 tubes will be
ample as your aquarium is quite shallow.
A giesemann 14.5k coral lamp plus 4 Actinic plus tubes will give great
colour and PAR.

I would look to the Infiniti or Spectra range as the four T5 tubes compared
to the two T5 tubes on the Nep-Tune pro will give better coral colours
especially for your SPS. The Spectra has a larger reflector and single ended
lamp so would give slightly better coverage over the 30" footprint
than the infinity or Nep-tune. The Nep-tune will be fine for the job if you
feel two T5 lamps will give you the flexibility you require in terms of
lighting.

With regards to mounting legs then the Reflexx range incorporates
legs(option) but i don't think it would be best for your set as it doesn't
include any T5 .
Plus the fact that Rimless aquariums look so much better with a suspended
light 'floating' over the top , they aren't difficult to hang and you
can raise them for better light spread. As they will be single units they
wont be that heavy either.

A T5 tube only units such as the Reflexx or Nep-tune line you would need to
spec for two units of 4x 24watt to give good coverage over your tank
in my opinion. The 6 x 39 watt Reflexx would hang over the sides of the
aquarium as they are 900mm although the legs can be positioned in board
to sit over the glass.

regards Tony