Coralife compact 48"

[Mockmo]

Hey guys im new to the forum and im new to saltwater aquariums, i just got a Coralife compact with led moon lights, has two 65 Watt Actinic and two 65 Watt 10K compact fluorescent lamp, heres a link to the one i have.

http://www.petfenceusa.com/3150-pid.html

My question is will i have any problems growing coral in my 55 gallon tank with these lights. I know i should go with a T5 but this is what i have will it work? What can i and cant i grow??

Thanks in advance!

 

[jtma508]

I have this same light. It was orginally on my freshwater system but I've used it for 3+ yrs on my 90gal bowfront. Is it the ideal choice? No. But I have had great success as long as I stay within its limitations. I have a variety of softies, LPS and zoas in my 29" tank. My white bubble coral is a showpiece and is over 2-1/2 yrs old. I found the UVL-R bulbs make a huge difference. I run two each actinic white and super actinic.

 

[Mockmo]

so you have no problems growing softies and LPS

 

[zachfishman]

so you have no problems growing softies and LPS

I had no issues growing softies and LPS with 2x65w PC and 2x40w T12 fluorescents on a 55g years ago. 4x65w PC's over a 55g will be fine too.

 

[Mockmo]

What about anemone's?

 

[jtma508]

not likely on the nems

 

[sneaton]

i have an anemone the size of a basketball in my 28 gallon bow with 2x65 pc....my aquaticlife has individual reflectors though

 

[sneaton]

i have an anemone the size of a basketball in my 28 gallon bow with 2x65 pc
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4400&pictureid=30285

 

[Mockmo]

is there anyway to make my own individual reflector for it

 

[zachfishman]

is there anyway to make my own individual reflector for it

Clip-on reflectors are pretty cheap; even if you're buying new. You could also find any old retrofit reflector that will fit your bulb and drill holes for clips into it. Failing that a sheet of aluminum foil tapped to the inside of your hood/canopy will suffice until you find a "real" reflector.

 

[sneaton]

try asking aquaticlife

 

[chuckdallas]

How deep is your tank? I didn't read the specs on the light you bought. What is the length of the light fixture and the length of your tank?

I had issues with my retrofit kit from Corallife because my tank is 24 inches deep and I had corals that needed more light than it could provide. I bought HO T5s (there are differences in T5s...some are for plants and some are for aquariums [HO=High Output]), then we went straight for the LEDs. A pendant of LED lights will make the lights glimmer and shimmer and looks REALLY nice, but they are more expensive. When you decide to upgrade (and most do), skip the Metal Halides because most tanks require chillers then and go with LEDs. I've found two different LED fixtures pushing out 120 watts, running for $300, on two different websites. Because I have such a deep tank and because it's 5 feet long, I had to buy two LED fixtures, but they are SO nice.

 

[Mockmo]

its a standard 55 gallon tank its about 19" from top of tank to the bottom and 22" from the bottom of the light to the bottom of the tank