lighting reccomendations?

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 04:36 PM

there is 3 options i am looking at for lights:
1.nova t5 extreme flourescent
http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-..._Units-vendor-
2.dual sattelite compact flourescent fixture
48 inch 4x65 Watt Current USA PowerCompact Dual Satellite Fixture (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > Power Compact > 48in Units )
3.PFO HQI 400 watt metal halide pendant
PFO HQI 400 Watt Metal Halide Mini Pendant (Double-Ended) (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > Metal Halide > Pendants > Double Ended MH )

my only doubts:
nova t5-intense enough?
dual sattelite-will it be intense enough for anemonesor coral?
metal halide pendant-does it have ballast?light expensive to replace.
So any reccomendations?

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 04:50 PM

number one's link does not work here it is
48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x54 watt T5 HO 10K/460nm (36in Units )
oh the lights are for a 55 gallon that is 48"

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 08:58 PM

please, anyone? I HAVE BEEN TOLD NUMBER ONE IS A GOOD CHOICE THE NOVA EXTREME T5

lcstorc · 09-09-2007, 09:23 PM

I am confused.
At one point it says 48in then end says 36in units.
I think these are the same 54w Nova Extremes I bought for my 90. If I were going to do anything but seahorses I would at least buy 2 of them. I would probably look for ones with indifudual reflectors as well if I wanted a reef and/or anemone.
For the seahorses and very low ligh coral I have planned I think it will be fine. Even so I am debate buying a second unit just becase.

Reefcraze_1 · 09-09-2007, 09:25 PM

Sorry to be a stickler but none of those lights are good choices the t5's and the compact fluorescents will only be able to sustain soft and some lps corals. With either of those you wont be able to keep a anemone or the majority of lps and all sps corals. A 400W double ended MH over a 55 gallon tank would burn any coral put under it. A example of the lighting intensity for the MH would be putting a 400w over a 25 gallon tank, it's going to kill all corals and anemones directly exposed to it.
These are some fixtures I would recommend:
48 inch 6x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture (48in Units )
this is a retrofit kit it's a fantastic system:
IceCap VHO Fluorescent Lighting Systems
If your tank is 18" wide or more use this:
48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture (48in Units )

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 09:27 PM

i meant the 48 inch unit. so if i by two it will be good fro anemones? or should i supplement one with a metal halide pendant? would 3. the metal halide pendant be a good choice?

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 09:31 PM

i like your links reefcraze, but i wasn't planning on spending $400+ on lights i need to be around $200. do you have any suggestions?

Reefcraze_1 · 09-09-2007, 09:31 PM

Honestly all I can say is to wait and save your money because the current usa fixtures are not that great. Save for the next little while then buy one of the units i recommended. I would stay away from MH's all together because you will need to balance the MH's with either t5's or with VHO's as well as MH run extremely hot and are expensive to buy and operate. MH's are only white spectrum lights, so you will need to get actinic VHO's,t5's or CP.

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 09:41 PM

VHO's,which would you reccomend? can i ask how long you've been in the hobby?

Reefcraze_1 · 09-09-2007, 09:41 PM

These are the best quality VHO's for the price:
IceCap 46.5 inch VHO Retrofit Kit - 4 Lamps (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Retro Kit > Fluorescent > 46.5in Lamps )
This would be the perfect light for any kind or coral or anemone.
(price includes the four bulbs) each bulb is 110 watts

flricordia · 09-09-2007, 09:43 PM

Go with 2-250wt MH pendants. Get bulbs in the 14000k or higher and you won't have to worry about actincs and you will have a nice, clean look above your tank with more than enough light for anemones. PFO dual ballast box and 2 pendants will set you back a bit, but at least you won't be regretting it later down the road and shelling out more cash for more lighting. Get XM 15000k. Hellolights.com has good prices and free shipping.

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 09:45 PM

yes, i just got my 55 gallon a couple days ago and i am on the hunt for equipment. but if you want to see my cuurent tank pics check out my photo gallery they are not thenlatest pics though.

Reefcraze_1 · 09-09-2007, 09:46 PM

can I see some pics or your tank

jubbers · 09-09-2007, 09:47 PM

thank-you flricordia,nice link

Reefcraze_1 · 09-09-2007, 09:48 PM

what filtration are you running, how old is your tank and what salt mix are you using?

09-09-2007, 04:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	lighting reccomendations? there is 3 options i am looking at for lights: 1.nova t5 extreme flourescent http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-..._Units-vendor- 2.dual sattelite compact flourescent fixture 48 inch 4x65 Watt Current USA PowerCompact Dual Satellite Fixture (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > Power Compact > 48in Units ) 3.PFO HQI 400 watt metal halide pendant PFO HQI 400 Watt Metal Halide Mini Pendant (Double-Ended) (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > Metal Halide > Pendants > Double Ended MH ) my only doubts: nova t5-intense enough? dual sattelite-will it be intense enough for anemonesor coral? metal halide pendant-does it have ballast?light expensive to replace. So any reccomendations? __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? number one's link does not work here it is 48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x54 watt T5 HO 10K/460nm (36in Units ) oh the lights are for a 55 gallon that is 48" __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 08:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? please, anyone? I HAVE BEEN TOLD NUMBER ONE IS A GOOD CHOICE THE NOVA EXTREME T5 __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 09:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,454 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? I am confused. At one point it says 48in then end says 36in units. I think these are the same 54w Nova Extremes I bought for my 90. If I were going to do anything but seahorses I would at least buy 2 of them. I would probably look for ones with indifudual reflectors as well if I wanted a reef and/or anemone. For the seahorses and very low ligh coral I have planned I think it will be fine. Even so I am debate buying a second unit just becase. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

09-09-2007, 09:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reefcraze_1 Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: lighting reccomendations? Sorry to be a stickler but none of those lights are good choices the t5's and the compact fluorescents will only be able to sustain soft and some lps corals. With either of those you wont be able to keep a anemone or the majority of lps and all sps corals. A 400W double ended MH over a 55 gallon tank would burn any coral put under it. A example of the lighting intensity for the MH would be putting a 400w over a 25 gallon tank, it's going to kill all corals and anemones directly exposed to it. These are some fixtures I would recommend: 48 inch 6x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture (48in Units ) this is a retrofit kit it's a fantastic system: IceCap VHO Fluorescent Lighting Systems If your tank is 18" wide or more use this: 48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture (48in Units )

09-09-2007, 09:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? i meant the 48 inch unit. so if i by two it will be good fro anemones? or should i supplement one with a metal halide pendant? would 3. the metal halide pendant be a good choice? __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 09:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? i like your links reefcraze, but i wasn't planning on spending $400+ on lights i need to be around $200. do you have any suggestions? __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 09:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Reefcraze_1 Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: lighting reccomendations? Honestly all I can say is to wait and save your money because the current usa fixtures are not that great. Save for the next little while then buy one of the units i recommended. I would stay away from MH's all together because you will need to balance the MH's with either t5's or with VHO's as well as MH run extremely hot and are expensive to buy and operate. MH's are only white spectrum lights, so you will need to get actinic VHO's,t5's or CP.

09-09-2007, 09:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? VHO's,which would you reccomend? can i ask how long you've been in the hobby? __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 09:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Reefcraze_1 Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: lighting reccomendations? These are the best quality VHO's for the price: IceCap 46.5 inch VHO Retrofit Kit - 4 Lamps (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Retro Kit > Fluorescent > 46.5in Lamps ) This would be the perfect light for any kind or coral or anemone. (price includes the four bulbs) each bulb is 110 watts

09-09-2007, 09:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
flricordia Just Mike for short Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 595 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: lighting reccomendations? Go with 2-250wt MH pendants. Get bulbs in the 14000k or higher and you won't have to worry about actincs and you will have a nice, clean look above your tank with more than enough light for anemones. PFO dual ballast box and 2 pendants will set you back a bit, but at least you won't be regretting it later down the road and shelling out more cash for more lighting. Get XM 15000k. Hellolights.com has good prices and free shipping. __________________ 75 gl corallimorpharian/zoanthid tank http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/8473121807-med.jpg

09-09-2007, 09:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? yes, i just got my 55 gallon a couple days ago and i am on the hunt for equipment. but if you want to see my cuurent tank pics check out my photo gallery they are not thenlatest pics though. __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 09:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
Reefcraze_1 Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: lighting reccomendations? can I see some pics or your tank

09-09-2007, 09:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
jubbers Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Posts: 602 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: lighting reccomendations? thank-you flricordia,nice link __________________ A lot of times I find that people who are blessed with the most talent don't ever develop that attitude, and the ones who aren't blessed in that way are the most competitive and have the biggest heart. Tom Brady Throw it up ther and I'll go get it dog. Randy Moss

09-09-2007, 09:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
Reefcraze_1 Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: lighting reccomendations? what filtration are you running, how old is your tank and what salt mix are you using?

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