Lighting Please

[Billybatz9]

Hey guys,

I have decided that I will be going with the 30 gallon long tank
36x12x18

Can someone give me a link to some good lighting? Powerheads?

I want to keep live rock, sean anenome, clownfish, gobys, shrimp, CUC, and a few other corals that look nice.

Thanks

 

[scott71]

Get quality equipment up front. Don't have to buy Radions. Reef Brite LEDs or T5 will work. jebao power heads are good and much cheaper than ecotechs. You should consider a larger tank. After you get things going, you will wish you had. 50 gallon minimum. I started with a 65 gallon then added a 50 gallon and fixing to move up to a 100 gallon. It is a great hobby and very addicting. Enjoy.

Do research on quality equipment and check your local marine aquarium clubs or local craigslist for used equipment.

 

[Mark Bianco]

When it comes to lighting I recommend something modular like AI, Hydra Ecotech, Radion or if you want to start out with a decent lower end fixture http://reefbreeders.com/shop/reef-breeders-value-led-fixtures/ this will do the job. The reason I say this over a T5 fixture is a lot of people do want to upgrade and you can always add more fixtures to a larger tank upgrade. At one time I had 5 tanks from 210gl to 26gl cube.

Powerheads I can only wish I had the money I spent on the low end powerheads. Here is a list of powerheads I have owned and had a bad experience with Hydor, Maxijet, Coral life, and Fuval, IMO Get a Tunze, or my second choice would be an Ecotech. I strongly suggest you do a search on the Jebao line before jumping on that low end band wagon. I am sure there are people out there that have had no issues with them, and that great. But for me I like being able to talk with an American customer service rep.

Hope that helps.

Mark

 

[supervdl]

LEDs are the way to go and I like my Radions. I agree with the tank size comment before.Go as big as you can.

 

[Timfish]

A single strip BuildMyLED.com would light up a tank that size real well. They have the PAR charts so you can figure out the light field in you tank without having to take measurements to get your corals in the right place.

 

[JoelA7]

Radions are expensive but very nice. I haven't run mine above 50% yet and know that I'll have more than enough for any coral. There are a number of other choices. I do think led is the way to go and you can get the color temperature needed.

Big difference between vortech pumps and the others is that the motor is outside the tank. This is a great advantage as it reduces (by a lot) the excess heat introduced into the aquarium.