Lighting Not Enough?

[aj2494]

The 50 gal tank I'm buying comes with a 48" PC fixture that has 2 24" bulbs. It's a Custom Sealife SmartLite. I'm worried that this won't be enough light if I want to have any type of reef setup, especially if I want to get an anemone. What do you guys think of this? If it's not enough light, does anyone have a 48" fixture that would meet my light requirements?

 

[aj2494]

Definitely not enough lighting. Anybody have a 48" at least 200w fixture?

 

[pascal32]

agree, not enough light!

 

[aj2494]

Would 260w of PC be enough?

 

[Eastamherstbias]

Eh, how about LED or MH. Alot of people have success with A.I. I have my RBTA under 2x250 MH and it is happy.

 

[aj2494]

Those two seem to be too expensive for me. I would love to use either, if I could afford it.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

People are always selling mh fixtures.

My neighbor did something similar to your plan when she started out. She regretted it and quickly lost interest when things started dying due to lack of light. Buy used and do it right. If I can ask what is the light budget and what are you planning on keeping?

 

[frofan]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2052448

 

[aj2494]

I would like to spend under $200 on lighting. My plan is to have at most 2 anemones, and a few corals, most likely SPS. This would not be a major reef tank, just a few corals.

I'm a young kid, and dishwashing and bussing tables can only support so much.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

There is a $125 used 150w MH fixture on Craig's buffalo.

 

[aj2494]

Is 150w enough?

 

[reefboarder]

Nirvana fan has some vho fluorescents he may want to unload, I'll have him get ahold of you about specifics, he ran them on his reef for years before upgrading to t-5s. They aren't the most awesome lights ever but they are enough for everything you want.


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[jaybfresh]

What are the dimensions of a 50 gallon tank? The deeper than tank, the more powerful the light you'll need (generally speaking)

 

[toddmh]

I have a 4'' wavepoint t5 fixture I would sell for 100.00 with bulbs..It is more than enough for my nems and sps if you would like ..

It is this light..

http://www.marineandreef.com/WavePoint_T5_48_HO_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_Fixture_p/rwp01003.htm

 

[mr86mister]

MH is good but a 4x54t5 would be awesome as well.

 

[aj2494]

What kind of SPS and anemones do you have? Anything light demanding? I just want to make sure this will be enough light for me. Thanks.

It's actually a 55, and it's 22" deep (measured by my mom, so if it doesn't sound like a typical depth, that's why).

 

[toddmh]

that light was lighting a 120g tank for over a year 48"x24"x24" At one time there were two giant Rose bubble tips nems in it along with just about every coral that reefkeeps keep at one time or another..You should have no problems growing anything under it..There are a few peeps here that have seen it running my old 120,maybe I can even find a pic or two

 

[toddmh]

here is one powered with that light..hard to find old FTS of that setup..

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I think we have proved that there are lots of options used to do this correctly. Don't under power the tank. You can do so much more with a good light and good flow.

 

[museumguy]

T5 lighting with good reflectors is enough for almost anything. People often underestimate the importants of good reflectors. I have a 180g reef tank and a 120g planted freshwater that just have T5s and plants, anemones and corals are boomin.