Lighting for a 36 gallon Bow front?

[Grimreaperz]

I want it to be a mix of SPS/LPS eventually. (Zoa, candy cane, brain, xenia, frogspawn)

And then for fish maybe some clowns, typical clean up, crabs, snails, shrimp,
Maybe some green chromis, gobies, and after tank is mature about 1-2 yrs mandarin or red scooter (any other pretty fish that stay small this list may change as I research.)

My question is where do i start with lighting currently i have a 17w t8. And I know this is not enough.

The tank is 17-18 inches deep give or take.

I am sure I will have plenty of ppl will have different opinions but I guess I am just looking for something I can use for just starting out and that I wont have to replace if I get a coral that requires more light. would a 175w be enough or would I need to go higher like 200-250w? or do I actually need like 8w/gallon making the 300w the best idea even though its pricey. I know i need a mixture of blues and red/full spectrum mainly just wondering about what type of wattage I need or if wattage is really what I should be basing it on?

 

[Potatohead]

I have two Primes over mine

 

[Grimreaperz]

I have two Primes over mine

So would this be more then sufficient?

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2443077042&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

[Sk8r]

gobies and blennies. Chromis: tank is too small for two, definitely too small for a mandarin---you'd need a 50 gallon fuge.

 

[Brandon0034]

I think you would be fine with just a 175w. I have a 36g bowfront as well with zoas, candy canes, hammer, torch, anemones, and a clam with this light
http://www.amazon.com/ViparSpectra-...=1465006499&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=vipar+led

 

[heathlindner25]

gobies and blennies. Chromis: tank is too small for two, definitely too small for a mandarin---you'd need a 50 gallon fuge.

Well don't tell my mandy that.... he's in a 40 breeder ,sumpless,eats pellets,and is obese.

 

[shifty51008]

if your talking MH, then 150-175 will be plenty, the downfall will be if your tank has a center brace, if it does you will need 1 for each side as the brace will block most of the light. a 4-6 bulb T5HO fixture would also work great.

 

[Grimreaperz]

I think you would be fine with just a 175w. I have a 36g bowfront as well with zoas, candy canes, hammer, torch, anemones, and a clam with this light
http://www.amazon.com/ViparSpectra-...=1465006499&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=vipar+led

if your talking MH, then 150-175 will be plenty, the downfall will be if your tank has a center brace, if it does you will need 1 for each side as the brace will block most of the light. a 4-6 bulb T5HO fixture would also work great.

Thanks Brandon, Thats similar to the one I was looking at as well.

Shifty thanks for the advice I do have a Centre Beam. I may put the low light needing corals under it. or cut it out if its causing a problem. Not used for anything.

T5 Fixtures seem to be a bit more pricey then some of these Amazon LED fixtures. But I will definitely tank another glance. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[shifty51008]

do not cut the center brace, it is there to keep the tank from bowing and eventualy failing.

 

[Grimreaperz]

do not cut the center brace, it is there to keep the tank from bowing and eventualy failing.

LOL Thanks! had no idea.

 

[Capiross1]

Well don't tell my mandy that.... he's in a 40 breeder ,sumpless,eats pellets,and is obese.

It's very rare for a mandarin to eat pellets and I wouldn't count on it so I'd leave that one off the list and I'd definitely shoot for some t-5s with ati bulbs and if you could get around 100watts you'd be more then fine keeping almost any type of coral with such a shallow tank

 

[heathlindner25]

It's very rare for a mandarin to eat pellets and I wouldn't count on it so I'd leave that one off the list and I'd definitely shoot for some t-5s with ati bulbs and if you could get around 100watts you'd be more then fine keeping almost any type of coral with such a shallow tank

My first scooter died during a winter black out 4 years ago and he ate pellets.
My second one ,I gave to a friend, after getting him on pellets....Brown scooter
And my third one is a couple of years old now eating pellets.....Target Mandarin
How much experience do you have with them?

 

[Capiross1]

My first scooter died during a winter black out 4 years ago and he ate pellets.
My second one ,I gave to a friend, after getting him on pellets....Brown scooter
And my third one is a couple of years old now eating pellets.....Target Mandarin
How much experience do you have with them?

Well I've had 2 mandarins in the course of 10 years one in a 90gallon and one in a 144 gallon neither one ate pellets, I'm sure if quarantined in a smaller tank you might have better success just hate to see fish die because the logical thing is to keep them in a larger tank where there is a sustainable amount of natural food

 

[heathlindner25]

Well I've had 2 mandarins in the course of 10 years one in a 90gallon and one in a 144 gallon neither one ate pellets, I'm sure if quarantined in a smaller tank you might have better success just hate to see fish die because the logical thing is to keep them in a larger tank where there is a sustainable amount of natural food

I definitely wouldn't suggest a mandarin either. I just never had a problem getting mandarins on pellets. Unless it's a green Mandarin

 

[Grimreaperz]

I definitely wouldn't suggest a mandarin either. I just never had a problem getting mandarins on pellets. Unless it's a green Mandarin

I am going to be waiting a very long time before I even consider one. and If I did for this tank I would be going with the spotted mandarin. I have been told they stay a bit smaller. I would also wait until I have my 20gallon Sump/Fuge up and running an established. But I am thinking the rate I am going in this hobby by that time I will have convinced the wife to let me buy a 125g and this wont even be an issue lol.