Lights...

Reefer31 · 03-02-2008, 05:12 PM

Hi all.

Thought I would post this here instead of mixing it up in m other thread...

I am setting up a 55gal 4ft(18" deep) reef tank after 2 years of tanklessness. I have never kept photosynthetic inverts before, other than a carpet anemone that I returned to the beach I found it at soon after.

I have bought 2 70w metal halide lights off ebay. I wanted a bigger wattage but didnt have the money. I also plan on getting a T5 fixture with 4 54w lights all housed together. I will have 20k metal halide bulbs, and 1-2 atinic T5 tubes.

What I want to know is, will this be enough to keep LPS corals, some shrooms, zoanthids and possibly a Tridacnea clam?????

I also have a doubal-40w PC 2ft light, and use it on a 12 gal 2ft tank. Would this be enough for corals?

Thanks,
Reefer31

msbdiving · 03-02-2008, 06:10 PM

I would suggest going with a 12-14k light instead if you are going to have the actinic mix in the t-5's. It might be a little too blue but each mh bulb is different. Even though they are supposed to be of the same spectrum, I have seen different shades.

I don't know about the clam but the lps should be fine midway in the tank. Start at the bottom and move up from there. Everything else you should have no problem with.

How shallow is the 12g tank?

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-02-2008, 08:11 PM

If you got the 4x54 watt t-5 fixture with single lamp reflectors you would have enough light for anything you want,no metal halide required.Also many tests have shown that 20000k metal halide bulbs give the worst coral growth of any kind of light.

Reefer31 · 03-03-2008, 02:33 AM

So I should put 10k bulbs in the Metal Halides, and 2 atinic bulbs in the T5 hood.

Like I said, already bought the metal halids, and its cheaper to get the T5's in a single reflector. Money is a bit of an issue see.

The 12 gal is 12" deep.

Thanks,
Reefer31

zy112 · 03-03-2008, 02:46 AM

I would go with a 10k-12k MH bulb and run actinic T5's. IMO that will be your best be since it will give you a little more intensity from the lower wattage halides

Reefer31 · 03-04-2008, 06:35 AM

Would a 14k MH bulb work, along with 2 atinic T5's and 2 10k T5's?

Also, would my power compact system of 2 40w bulbs, 1 atinic and 1 10k, work for my 12 gal for maby a soft coral or two, and a T. Crocea clam?

Thanks,
Reefer31

03-02-2008, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Reefer31 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Lights... Hi all. Thought I would post this here instead of mixing it up in m other thread... I am setting up a 55gal 4ft(18" deep) reef tank after 2 years of tanklessness. I have never kept photosynthetic inverts before, other than a carpet anemone that I returned to the beach I found it at soon after. I have bought 2 70w metal halide lights off ebay. I wanted a bigger wattage but didnt have the money. I also plan on getting a T5 fixture with 4 54w lights all housed together. I will have 20k metal halide bulbs, and 1-2 atinic T5 tubes. What I want to know is, will this be enough to keep LPS corals, some shrooms, zoanthids and possibly a Tridacnea clam????? I also have a doubal-40w PC 2ft light, and use it on a 12 gal 2ft tank. Would this be enough for corals? Thanks, Reefer31

03-02-2008, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
msbdiving Ricordea Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 192 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lights... I would suggest going with a 12-14k light instead if you are going to have the actinic mix in the t-5's. It might be a little too blue but each mh bulb is different. Even though they are supposed to be of the same spectrum, I have seen different shades. I don't know about the clam but the lps should be fine midway in the tank. Start at the bottom and move up from there. Everything else you should have no problem with. How shallow is the 12g tank?

03-02-2008, 08:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Lights... If you got the 4x54 watt t-5 fixture with single lamp reflectors you would have enough light for anything you want,no metal halide required.Also many tests have shown that 20000k metal halide bulbs give the worst coral growth of any kind of light.

03-03-2008, 02:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Reefer31 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Lights... So I should put 10k bulbs in the Metal Halides, and 2 atinic bulbs in the T5 hood. Like I said, already bought the metal halids, and its cheaper to get the T5's in a single reflector. Money is a bit of an issue see. The 12 gal is 12" deep. Thanks, Reefer31

03-03-2008, 02:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
zy112 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IN Posts: 984 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Lights... I would go with a 10k-12k MH bulb and run actinic T5's. IMO that will be your best be since it will give you a little more intensity from the lower wattage halides __________________ Zach

03-04-2008, 06:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
Reefer31 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Lights... Would a 14k MH bulb work, along with 2 atinic T5's and 2 10k T5's? Also, would my power compact system of 2 40w bulbs, 1 atinic and 1 10k, work for my 12 gal for maby a soft coral or two, and a T. Crocea clam? Thanks, Reefer31

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