Here's the dilly-o: I measured the ID of my tank and it is 29.5" from the inside bottom up to the top rim. It is about 36" x 18" OD footprint. I calculate that to be about 76 gallons. With rock and sand maybe 60 gallons of actual water? I have a layer of sand, so let's say the bottom of the tank is about 28" deep. I have live rock stacked up on supports along the back of the tank and of course sand at this point, and I plan to have some of the basic polyps and zoas and a mushroom or two, and maybe, but not for sure, one of the easiest anemone. That depends on the lights required. I'll stick with species that require low- to-medium lighting since I know some of the higher light species are delicate and the bulb replacement is out of my budget. I am running some PC lights (10K and actinic) that I 'borrowed' for a while, but I need advice on what is the low cost way to light this tank for the long run. I have drained the budget on the rock and have a little left for the livestock, and am looking for the most cost-effective way to get decent lighting. I see T5 lights for sale, but the wattage is often lower. The PC lights seem to be the most affordable Watts per Dollar, but don't seem to be preferred on this forum. MH seem to be at least several hundred bucks! What is my best bet for the money on this 'deep' tank that won't go deep into my pocket??
Another Newbie lighting question
- Thread starter Steverino
- Start date
drauka99
Member
What are you wanting to keep is the first question anyone will ask.
I have PC lights on my 55 right now and while I like them ok I am changing ove to metal halides for my new 180, alot of people on the forums seem to be switching over to T5 lighting and it looks like a good lighting system from what I've seen and heard.
The reason I am leaving PC and not goign wit T5 is that I have heard that you need to change bulbs every 6 to 9 months. I am forgetful about stuff liek that and Metal Halides offer me more time, about 12 months or a little more between bulb changes, and more flexibility with which color bulb I like better.
I hope someoone with much more experiance than me chimes in.
I have PC lights on my 55 right now and while I like them ok I am changing ove to metal halides for my new 180, alot of people on the forums seem to be switching over to T5 lighting and it looks like a good lighting system from what I've seen and heard.
The reason I am leaving PC and not goign wit T5 is that I have heard that you need to change bulbs every 6 to 9 months. I am forgetful about stuff liek that and Metal Halides offer me more time, about 12 months or a little more between bulb changes, and more flexibility with which color bulb I like better.
I hope someoone with much more experiance than me chimes in.
Is it a one-to-one comparison on the wattage? If people tell me to have 3 watts per gallon, is that true of both PC and T5? If people ask me what I want, I want simple stuff, not expensive hard corals. I want low to medium light growths that are simple but offer variety, and look like a real ocean scene. This is my first tank and I want to make it simple but looking authentic and itneresting, not a few fish in a tank of chunky looking rock:}
kjbudsberg
New member
The comparison of wattage between PC and T5 is not the same. I have a 55 with the 4 light TekLight setup and I have had no problem keeping similar corals to yours on the bottom, and I wouldn't really think too hard about keeping a clam either. Buy the best reflector you can -- it matters. T5's are enough for anenomies. There is a T5 Q&A thread somewhere for more info.
Hope that helps a little.
Hope that helps a little.
VisionQuest27
New member
The 3 watts per gallon os just a general rule of thumb...as all watts arent the same. I love my T5's and would def recommend them to you. I put together a 3 bulb diy kit at reefgeek and with shipping it came to just over $200
VisionQuest27
New member
well if you use a retrofit kit it will fit...the 36" T5 bulbs are actually only 34" or so. With a 4 bulb T5 setup, maybe even 3 i think you would be fine keeping what you want. Im guessing you wouldnt be able to keep much on the bottom of the tank, but anything from lower mid level and up would be fine. nice thing about T5's is that you can always add more bulbs later on down the road if you need or want to.
VisionQuest27
New member
The 36" bulbs are 39w each when run normally. The set up i have is run by a Work Horse 7 ballast. You can overdrive T5's using an IceCap ballast, which i believe bumps them up to something close to 80w a piece. The icecaps are quite a bit more expensive than the workhorse ballasts but the extra light output might be worth it for you. The bulbs being over driven makes them put out a lot more heat, but the addition of a small circulating fan should fix that. My advice would still be to get a 3 or 4 bulb set up with a work horse ballast, and then later on down the road you could either switch to an Icecap or add another workhorse and a couple more bulbs. But like i said, personally i think you will be happy with a regular 4 bulb set up.
kjbudsberg
New member
VisionQuest27 reminded me of how I actually chose my lighting...I called Premium Aquatics (and spoke with Jeremy) about my tank, and my plans for future inhabitants and he recommended the unit I ended up buying. They are a very friendly outfit, and I have called them a few times for friendly advice about what is popular, and what actually works (few complaints and returns). Each time I took careful notes and never ordered at the time, but I did always end up ordering from them, and usually what they recommended. Just a thought...
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