I wanted to get some opinion on the lighting I currently have on my reef tank. I have a 50 gallon tank with 3 inches of crushed coral, about 30 pounds of live rock, and four corals. Currently I only have two 40 watts florescent bulbs, 1 actinic and 1 10k. I know this is a little sparce on lighting for a reef tank but my corals are all actually doing very well. I want to upgrade the lighting so I can safely add more variety of corals but don't want to add too much lighting since it is a rather shallow tank, only 18 inches total depth. How much lighting would you folks recommend? Thanks for your opinions!
Opinion on lighting
- Thread starter bcwalz
- Start date
spoon671
New member
WELCOME TO REEF CENTRAL!
WELCOME TO REEF CENTRAL!
Welcome. Prepare to learn alot, and spend alot. The most common opinion that is shared and agreed upon with most RC members is that your lighting will probably be your single largest and most important expense. Trust me, spend your money on the best.
As you get into the hobby, you might not find justification in dropping six bills on a lighting setup, when you can get a cheap one for under $150! But as you get more and more involved in this hobby, you will learn more and more about the various animals that this underwater world has to offer you as an aquarist. If you downplay your lighting in the beginning, one of three things will happen.
1. Later on you will find out that the lighting you have is simply not sufficient for the animals you are wishing to keep. You will feel overwhelmed and will quit the hobby. Just like my brother.
2. Later on you will find out that the lighting you have is simply not sufficient for the animals you are wishing to keep. You will then go out and spend the money for the lighting that will meet the requirements of your animals.
3. Later on you will find out that the lighting you have is simply not sufficient for the animals you are wishing to keep. You wont want to quit. In fact you will remain motivated to continue with this amazing hobby, only you will wish that you had originally put more effort into purchasing the best lighting system possible in the very beginning.
Don't skimp on your lighting. Go with a really nice Metal Halide setup. Maybe two Geisemann Nova II 250w HQI pendants with Geisemann MegaChrome 14500K bulbs. Drool! After this, your possibilities will be MUCH more open than they would have been! I sure hope this helps!
:wave:
WELCOME TO REEF CENTRAL!
Welcome. Prepare to learn alot, and spend alot. The most common opinion that is shared and agreed upon with most RC members is that your lighting will probably be your single largest and most important expense. Trust me, spend your money on the best.
As you get into the hobby, you might not find justification in dropping six bills on a lighting setup, when you can get a cheap one for under $150! But as you get more and more involved in this hobby, you will learn more and more about the various animals that this underwater world has to offer you as an aquarist. If you downplay your lighting in the beginning, one of three things will happen.
1. Later on you will find out that the lighting you have is simply not sufficient for the animals you are wishing to keep. You will feel overwhelmed and will quit the hobby. Just like my brother.
2. Later on you will find out that the lighting you have is simply not sufficient for the animals you are wishing to keep. You will then go out and spend the money for the lighting that will meet the requirements of your animals.
3. Later on you will find out that the lighting you have is simply not sufficient for the animals you are wishing to keep. You wont want to quit. In fact you will remain motivated to continue with this amazing hobby, only you will wish that you had originally put more effort into purchasing the best lighting system possible in the very beginning.
Don't skimp on your lighting. Go with a really nice Metal Halide setup. Maybe two Geisemann Nova II 250w HQI pendants with Geisemann MegaChrome 14500K bulbs. Drool! After this, your possibilities will be MUCH more open than they would have been! I sure hope this helps!
:wave:
Last edited:
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
Watts per gallon is not a good way of expressing lighting requirements for a reef. If it were 8 to 10 watts is probably more what you want. I have a 100 gallon with 780 watts and its none too bright.
