I'm ready to set up my first seahorse tank, a Perfecto 37g Column (20W x 18D x 25H) display with a 20L sump/refugium. The display will contain live rock andseveral varieties of macroalgae. I have a Coralife Aqualight Quad PC (96W, 50/50) that I was using as a 'fuge light on my old large tank setup. Is this adequate for this setup or if not, what would you recommend?
Lighting?
- Thread starter GTriever
- Start date
pledosophy
Active member
That will work. Should work just fine.
I've tried many many kinds of lights in recent years. If you were to upgrade I would go to a 70w or 150w HQI, so you get the shimmer. But there is some added heat there. T5's are nice too.
Honestly I have used a compact flourscent bulb to grow many kinds of macro algae, not many species require much light.
JME, HTH
I've tried many many kinds of lights in recent years. If you were to upgrade I would go to a 70w or 150w HQI, so you get the shimmer. But there is some added heat there. T5's are nice too.
Honestly I have used a compact flourscent bulb to grow many kinds of macro algae, not many species require much light.
JME, HTH
The only down-side I see with power compacts (for things that don't need as much light) is that they run hotter than T5s. When I had my choice to purchase new lights, I purchased T5s. But I have yet to replace the PCs I already have -- something always comes up that I need to spend my money on more urgently than lighting upgrades. And while I love the shimmer effect, if I become desperate for it, I'll likely stand with a high powered flashlight over the water for a bit to get my fix, as I just don't have the money (or the chiller) for halides.
ladybug5234
New member
OK, piggy-backingon this lighting question here, I am finding it very difficult to grow any macros in my SH tank. It is a pentagon shaped 50 gallon acrylic corner tank with 2 x 24" T5. I have the option of changing that to a 2 x 55w PC, or could maybe even squeeze in 4 of them. Would that be better for macro growth?
Are your T5 high output? I have HO T5s and I wouldn't switch them to PC (unless you were threatening my loved ones.) What algae have you tried? Not all algaes are easy to grow. It has taken me forever to finally grow a bit of chaeto, and other people are constantly tossing the stuff.
ladybug5234
New member
I honestly dont know if they are HO. I have good luck with most red algae, but cant, for the life of me, keep caleurpa... go figure!
pledosophy
Active member
There are ways to have seahorses tanks with metal halides without running a chiller IME. A 70W HQI won't produce that much heat IME.
For a 50g hex tank, I would definitely go with a HQI IMO, but that's just me.
I ran a 150w HQI with no chiller on a 20g, and a 34g tank with no chiller. Some of it depends on where you live, how your canopy is designed and the use of fans.
JME
For a 50g hex tank, I would definitely go with a HQI IMO, but that's just me.
I ran a 150w HQI with no chiller on a 20g, and a 34g tank with no chiller. Some of it depends on where you live, how your canopy is designed and the use of fans.
JME
