55 gallon light setup

[vyerous]

I know there are a million articles and threads on lighting, but make it a million and one =D I have read up on a lot of lighting but I just don't know what is a good deal and what isn't. Oh and I'm trying to keep this less than 300 if at all possible and I cannot hang from the ceiling (16 foot high ceiling).

I have a 55 long, tank dimensions are something like 48lx15hx12w going to start getting into reef in the very near future. My goal is to have mostly LPS, some leathers, mostly relatively "easy" corals. I'm going for a peaceful tank, a few fish but mostly corals. I do want to attempt an anemone before I start putting corals in so this leads me to my question.

How much wattage for something like a RBTA to be happy?
What brands are reliable or which ones to stay away from?
Can I run just MH without t5 or do I need the t5 for atinics?
Any recommendations (I'm sure someone will say no to the anemone)

Thanks again for the help, I love these forums it distracts me from work =D

 

[Flavum]

I can answer a couple of your ?. you dont need t-5s. I just have a 175 halide over mine and it does fine. The real benefit fromt he t-5s is the coloration your going to get. its going to be hard to find a 4 foot halide fixture under 300 though. you could buy a pendent for under 2 and have it on one side. that would easily sustain the anemone.

 

[vyerous]

Now with that halide, does it provide the spectrum needed? I thought typically you want atinics and some sort of daylight light, does the MH cover that? Yea I didn't think I could afford one, maybe used though.

 

[EvMiBo]

ill try to answer your questions:

-"For best care, the Bulb Anemone requires strong lighting in aquariums of at least 30 gallons. Under ideal conditions, it can grow up to 1-ft in diameter. However, most typically remain compact in size when kept under bright lighting. If the lighting is insufficient, the Bulb Anemone will expand its body to make the most of the available light." - Liveaquaria.com

also, most will agree that anenomes require some pretty stable waters.. this generally means ~6months before adding one to the system. food for thought.

-there are many brands of fixtures, bulbs etc. as far as t5 a few would be TEK, Aquactinics, and ATI. at reefgeek.com TEK has a 4x54w fixture w/ choice of bulbs for ~$330, you'll also need legs in your case and a bulb shield is also recommended. I plan on getting the fixture soon for my 55 setup. It comes out to ~$415 (free shipping). The aquactinics and especially ATIs use better reflectors, ballasts, and also have active cooling fans - thats why theyre more expensive. To save money I'm going to have a clip on fan (cheap I know but I can't afford those other fixtures) on a timer with the lights for a fom of active cooling.

-I don't know as much on MH. Instead of an actualy fixture with legs, I've seen many people have reflectors with bulb and ballasts alone, like this. (in fact x2 175w MH like that would be great for your 55 if you decide to go MH and have a canopy to secure them in... I think x2 250w might be a little much for the 55, even though some may disagree).... Some reliable MH brands, ballasts, and bulbs (disclaimer I only know some through other people experiences) would be sunlight supply, icecap ballasts, bluewave ballasts, hamilton bulbs, phoenix bulbs (I've heard phoenix is "the best" a couple of times), i'm sure im missing several.

-If you decide to go retrofit kits and you have a canopy checkout the MH i linked up there and www.reefgeek.com TEK SLR retros. this comes with everything you'll need. . With a suitable amount of wattage (I recommend 4x54w for t5 and x2 175w MH as you can see) you shouldn't have a problem growing just about anything (when it comes to lights)!

-You can run MH without t5 actinics (actinics- bluer, higher spectrum bulbs) but running actinics can really make the lighting in the tank much better. This pulls out the great coloration in most of the corals this hobby has to offer... I'm not sure why, but it has been noted the running VHO actinic flourensents other than t5 actinic flourensents has better visual results.

-The first fixture I mentioned (TEK 4x54w w/ bulb choice) + Leg Support System + Acrylic Shield for 4x54w TEK Light is what I'm getting really soon for my 55 setup. I'd recomment that (TOTALLY BIASED I KNOW but I've done research, I can't really afford an aquaactinics fixture, definitely not an ATI and don't want to buy used at first..) The tek is in the lower end of the higher end fixtures if that makes sense, you'll be able to grow just about anything you'd like with it just fine.

hope this helps.
ps-sry about spelling, puncuatioin errors, I was typing fast and sloppy.:rolleye1:

 

[vyerous]

Wow thanks that is a big help. I am leaning towards those lights, seems to be a good output, I'd have to buy the 65 dollars leg stands and 25 dollar splash shield =( but they seem pretty solid. I definitely want atinics I just didn't know if there was a better advantage other than looks. Thanks again.

Anyone else?

Oh and its cool, I don't really look at my post till after I've already submitted it. Most of the time I'm like.. meh.

 

[EvMiBo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13969896#post13969896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vyerous
Wow thanks that is a big help. I am leaning towards those lights, seems to be a good output, I'd have to buy the 65 dollars leg stands and 25 dollar splash shield =( but they seem pretty solid. I definitely want atinics I just didn't know if there was a better advantage other than looks. Thanks again.

Anyone else?

Oh and its cool, I don't really look at my post till after I've already submitted it. Most of the time I'm like.. meh.

no problem!

Also, if you decide to go with the TEK fixture w/ bulbs that I linked.. Heres a good bulb combination (quoted from the grim reefer):

-FRONT OF FIXTURE-
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[svynx]

If your going to spend $400, why not go with the Nova Extreme Pro. It has 6 bulbs, individual reflectors, and comes with legs. I have that over my 55. My anem is doing great, and my coral (mix of polyps, mushrooms, and sps) are doing just fine as well. I could even give you an idea as to what bulbs to go with once the ones in it start to go bad.

 

[EvMiBo]

NEP is also a good choice.

pros: has fans, legs, more bulbs.

cons: reflectors arent as good, stock bulb choice arent as good as the bulb choice from reefgeek, wider.

 

[vyerous]

Very interesting, never thought of the combination and what not. Now I assume that is purely for aesthetics but the new dilemma would be whether or not I could use two timers and have the atinics an hour before and after.

 

[vyerous]

Well now here is where I get confused. Is it worth more to get the Tek because the reflectors are utilizing the bulbs better, what is the deal with reflectors. I thought they were simply to get the light being emitted upward to go down, is there another factor that I am missing? I'm thinking I'm going to be spending 300-400, 400 is the absolute limit though =D

 

[michaeldaly]

You could go for 2 150W MH possibly 14000K.

If you shop around and buy from a wholesaler or similar you could do it for under 200. Stay away from expensive aquarium branded fittings as most of them are just a waste of money.

 

[vyerous]

Well two 150w MH from where for under 200? I don't know much about MH other than it is the light of choice by experienced reefers. Would this mean I have to buy two ballasts as well? Do you have any suggestions where I can do this?

 

[Stray32]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13970008#post13970008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svynx
If your going to spend $400, why not go with the Nova Extreme Pro. It has 6 bulbs, individual reflectors, and comes with legs. I have that over my 55. My anem is doing great, and my coral (mix of polyps, mushrooms, and sps) are doing just fine as well. I could even give you an idea as to what bulbs to go with once the ones in it start to go bad.

+1 I just bought this light for my 75 gallon and it is FANTASTIC!!

 

[texhorns98]

6X54 Watt

Here's what I just bought. The bulbs that come with it are just OK, but everything else has been pretty darn good! Can't beat the price!

 

[vyerous]

Hmm, the Nova Extreme Pro definitely seems like a better bang for the buck. Considering the NEP is 324 watts, comes with the fans and legs for the price of $379, and the TEK of equal output, minus the legs and fan, is $434.

Now will 216 watts in my 55g be sufficient for a RBTA? My main focus is really pleasing that anem because I originally told myself no due to the possibility of stinging other corals. My aim is to get the anem in before I start creating my reef so I can find out what it likes, what I have to do to keep it happy, so on and so forth. Should I just go with the 324 watts? The money issue isn't all that big, I just like saving it where I can =D

Also how long do the bulbs last? Whats wrong with the bulbs that come with the Nova?

 

[vyerous]

Also, should I just get PC lights out of my head =D Again I like saving money, but I want the best bang for the buck, but above all (while keeping within the budget) I want to be able to keep that anemone happy.

 

[Stray32]

The Nova Pro on a 55 gallon tank will be MORE than enough to support your Nem.

 

[vyerous]

Ok so its enough, but if I were to buy the cheaper on with only 216 watts, would that be enough to support it?

 

[michaeldaly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13970218#post13970218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vyerous
Well two 150w MH from where for under 200? I don't know much about MH other than it is the light of choice by experienced reefers. Would this mean I have to buy two ballasts as well? Do you have any suggestions where I can do this?

You need to shop around. Go to an industria lighting warehouse, they should stock a wide range of metal halide fittings. As for bulbs I get mine direct from the importer so I save some money there as well.

 

[svynx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13970401#post13970401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vyerous
Hmm, the Nova Extreme Pro definitely seems like a better bang for the buck. Considering the NEP is 324 watts, comes with the fans and legs for the price of $379, and the TEK of equal output, minus the legs and fan, is $434.

Now will 216 watts in my 55g be sufficient for a RBTA? My main focus is really pleasing that anem because I originally told myself no due to the possibility of stinging other corals. My aim is to get the anem in before I start creating my reef so I can find out what it likes, what I have to do to keep it happy, so on and so forth. Should I just go with the 324 watts? The money issue isn't all that big, I just like saving it where I can =D

Also how long do the bulbs last? Whats wrong with the bulbs that come with the Nova?

Some bulbs last longer than others. I've been running my NEP for about 6 months now, and I haven't seen a diminish in light quality. Having said that, I'm going to change them out soon anyway. And like I said before, you can replace the ok stock bulbs with much better bulbs whenever you choose. I will buy two at a time and put them in so my livestock won't get a big shock of better light all of a sudden.