need lighting suggestions

[petere1989]

i'm upgrading to a 20 gallon tank. i want a fixture/bulb mix, with if possible all three types of bulbs, and a built in timer is a good thing. i found one but not sure the bulbs are to good that comes with it.

I want to have sps corals.

http://www.marineandreef.com/AquaticLife_30_T5_HO_4_Lamp_Fixture_Lunar_Light_p/ral01151.htm

 

[Michigan Mike]

Should be fine on a 20long. The bulbs aren't the best but aren't the worst either, switch to ATI bulbs after a few months, then you'll be rockin'!

 

[petere1989]

k thanks. i actually got a different system. i got a sunlight tek 5t. with 2 ATI blue+, fiji purple and one other one, cant remember off the top of my head.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Coral plus
Aqua blue special
Ge6500
Most common day bulb
One of these?

 

[petere1989]

aqua blue special. thats it. are those a good combination?

 

[Michigan Mike]

Uh, ya it's been dogged out by the coral plus as of late. The aqua blue is whiter and brighter but most people think its a bit overwhelming in a 4 bulb fixture, it will grow coral though, no doubt.
Congrats on the TEK, good choice.

 

[petere1989]

gotta question. Do you run all 4 bulbs all day long at once, or some at night for a while, and some during the day? (never had more then one bulb at once)

 

[Michigan Mike]

I run 2 ATI blue plus (blues) for 1 hour at first, then turn on my ge6500 and Fiji purple (daylight) bulbs so all 4 bulbs are on together for about 8 hours, then I turn off the "daylight" bulbs and leave the "blue" bulbs on for an hour or three.lol I don't run the lights over 12 hours ever, usually round 10 hours but sometimes I like to have the blue lights run longer for nighttime viewing.
I personally think corals only use light for around 8 hours, more isn't helping IMO. Corals need to respire at night.

 

[petere1989]

K, thanks!!