Lighting question

[jgarner]

Hey guys!
I don't think I have ever posted on here before. I am fairly new to the hobby, my mom is teaching me as I go. I currently have a 14g oceanic biocube that I am running one 12" strip of ecoxotic panorama pro white and blues and 2 strips of 3 actinic LEDs. I was using two strips of the ecoxotics, but one took a poo on me and is no longer working. I think my tank is fine with just the one strip, but my corals seemed much happier with the two strips. I was thinking of leaving the one panorama pro and adding a 12k/453blue stunner strip. What is everyone's opinion? Leave it how it is or add more?

Thanks!

 

[maxheadroom]

Unless you have a bunch of non photosynthetic corals, more light is better.

 

[jgarner]

Sweet!! That's what I was thinking too.. I don't want overkill but my corals were so much happier with 2!

 

[MaryG]

She's so hooked! Bahahaha!

 

[coraljunky]

Just ''borrow'' supplies form your mom.....

 

[MaryG]

Trust me, she already has. She has a bad habit of shopping at moms house! Today she stole an entire pack of bacon. Lol

 

[privitor]

hello jgarner

hello jgarner

Welcome jgarner

im currently having the same issues on my biocube 14. Im still using the original lights but I want to upgrade them.

What kind of corals do you currently have in there?

 

[privitor]

If your keeping soft corals, one strip is likely enough

If your keeping SPS corals, one strip with reflector is enough at full power

As always more light = Better


Personally I would (and might do) keep the one pro and add the blue/magenta stunner to make your corals colors pop. You can also keep 1 of the lunar lights for a overnight or a dawn and dusk light.

2 pro strips would be overkill unless your keeping clams


Tech Facts::

• The panorama pro is running 12 bulbs at a max of 1.5w per which is good for most corals

• The stunners is running 24 bulbs at a max of .25 watt LEDs so they will have little effect beyond visual

• The Lunar Leds are only .25 watt bulbs also so its not adding much.

 

[jgarner]

Coraljunky - I always use my 5 finger discount at moms!!
Privitor - I currently have a ricordia, green birds nest, hammer, GSP, frogspawn, and some feather dusters. I'm waiting to blast my tank with coral overload at some upcoming meetings!

 

[MaryG]

She has the Panorama Pro with reflector. And the moonlights are the True Lumens from Current USA. They stay on 24/7 for dawn to dusk effects the Pros are on a timer. And it seems bright enough to me for 14 gallons. I was also thinking a stunner strip would be enough supplemental lighting as well. And she already has the powersupply from the old Pro that crapped out.

 

[jgarner]

I wanted the magenta/white stunner strip, but I heard the magenta would cause algae issues?

 

[privitor]

From what I have read it wii cause the coralline to grow but the Uv/pink aka magenta will make your corals really pop. It just depends on the look your looking for. Some people prefer the blue look some like black light uv look. Both look awesome


Here is a video of a biocube 14 with just a single White & Blue Panorama Module along with two 453nm Blue Stunner LED strips like your thinking about going that I have been drooling over

http://youtu.be/3K8mhMMMHfM