Lighting for a new 70g tank

[stlcardinalnut]

just bought a used 70g Oceanic tank. Filling it up with RO/DI right now and going crazy trying to figure out the lighting. I have a 24g reef tank now with MH. But wanted to switch to T5 HO, and in particular was looking at the Current Nova Extreme Pro with 6 lights.
The issue I have is that the tank is going to be 22" deep, and would like to do a hybrid reef. Is the Current going to do the job or am I locked into going with MH.
Also, doesn't look like the Current has any lunar lights (just dusk to dawn). If I go with the Current, what is the best way/product to add the blue lunar lighting?

[BLKBRDTA]

Under a CurrentUSA Nova Extreme Pro, softies will do great, while LPS will grow slowly but surely, clams will need to be placed near the surface of the water and SPS can honestly be a hit or miss subject. The best alternative to supply lunar lighting would have to be LED lunar pods or short rigid LED bars (what I chose.) If blue is desired, 400nm to 470nm will do, white colors are based more on "cool white, natural white and warm white" options (exact kelvin ranges vary.) I have a 36" - 6 bulb Nova Pro and am pleased with the results it provides. Though I do recommend replacing the SCR with individual SLR's..

[stlcardinalnut]

SCR and SLR are different lights or reflectors? Thanks for your reply btw. My ultimate goal is to go with some sort of LED lighting system, but right now the price is definitely out of my league...hopefully in a couple of years they will come down to an affordable price.

[BLKBRDTA]

Nova Extreme/Pro units come with a single contoured reflector (SCR) sheet above the bulbs that will get the job done right out of the box. Although single lamp reflectors (SLR's) clip onto each bulb individually, therefore maximizing the amount of light redirected downward rather than scattering it into a less intense wide angle beam. I completely agree with you on waiting out the LED fixtures initial price waves. They are great in so many aspects, but this relatively new form of aquarium products are still in their infant stages of production. When more brands decide to invest in this future form of reef lighting, the demand will rise while the supply will fall and competitive pricing will finally begin! Until then I am sticking with my trusty old MH and T5's, or if I find a good set of HOLED's for a decent price then I would start up a DIY LED build.

[pogodzib]

The biggest thing that I don't like about the Current USA Extreme/Pro lighting units are the bulbs that come with the unit. Yes, they work, but to get the coral colors to improve and pop, you'll need to replace the bulbs. If you go with that unit, I would recommend to use the stock bulbs at first and then try to purchase and swap out a couple bulbs at 6 months to get better coral coloration and growth.

[BLKBRDTA]

The biggest thing that I don't like about the Current USA Extreme/Pro lighting units are the bulbs that come with the unit. Yes, they work, but to get the coral colors to improve and pop, you'll need to replace the bulbs. If you go with that unit, I would recommend to use the stock bulbs at first and then try to purchase and swap out a couple bulbs at 6 months to get better coral coloration and growth.

Agreed. I ran my CurrentUSA bulbs for 16 months @ 10 hours a day total, then recently switched them out for UVL's.

[WILLIAM1]

Have you thought about doing your own custom T5 set up. with either an icecap 660 and overdriving the T5 bulbs to 80watts each. I have two icecap with 8 overdriven bulbs. 24" deep and my gigas clam lives right in the sandbed. Aclimation was in order as well its alot of light.

[stlcardinalnut]

Got the Nova Extreme Pro yesterday and it is now in place. I love the light it provides...and I see what you mean the about the SCR. Does Current sell an add on to make it SLR?

[BLKBRDTA]

Glad you are pleased with the results it provides, I was as well. I don't think they produce single lamp reflectors, but IMO your best bet is to swap the SCR out for some Ice Cap SLR's.

[map95003]

I think bulb brand and combination is more important than the actual unit you run (depends on corals you plan to keep). When I first started I had a MH retro kit but I was dealing with heat issues. I got a great deal on the setup so I sold it and got a cheapo 6x54w T5 setup from catalina aquarium (paid $218 including crapy bulbs that I ditched after a few weeks) that was suppose to be an interm solution...~2 yrs later I still run the same setup but I replaced the bulbs with ATI bulbs and I've gotten great results with softies, LPS and all the SPS and 2 clams I keep. The unit has 3xworkhorse5 electronic balasts and a single sheet aluminum reflector that's bent to create individual reflectors over each bulb. My plan was to eventually get a constellation or power module fixture, I know some may not agree with me but once again this just proves you don't always have to spend $700+ on lights....all depends on the type of corals you plan to keep.

I should also mention I run carbon 24x7 so my water is crystal clear which I believe help a lot with my light penetration.