opinions need on lights

[jhouse]

right now i am using a t8 fresh water light i know i need to get a new one i just dont want to go get a new light with out so reseach and opinions as i am unsure as to weather or not i need a new fixture and light or just a new light any help would be appreciate thanks for helping all input welcome even bad as i am just learn and i know the light i have is not good

 

[mickela]

It will all depend on what you are wanting to have in your tank coral wise,deside before you purchase a light so later you wont end up buying another.Once we know what you intend to keep we can help you better

 

[jhouse]

i am looking at having lots of types of coral and some fish

 

[pimpinitup6969]

what size tank? lps, sps, softies?

 

[mickela]

I have a 75 gallon and I use t5's love them.I keep dunkans,frog spawn,clam,monti caps,leathers,zoas,rics.They all seem to do well.By the way what size tank do you have?

 

[jhouse]

i have a 40 bow front here is a list of what i have right now

1 domino damsel
1 yellow tail damsel
1 clark clownfish
2 bangii's
1 mandrin
1 algae blennie
1 anemone
1 kenya tree
1 xenia
a small live rock with polyps on it
and about 30lbs of live rock
and a 4 inch bristle worm that i am try to get out lol
some snails and some small starfish



but i want to get more after i get better lights

 

[mickela]

I have the nova extreme t5 and an very happy with it.Dont know if it would support higher end corals one of the more experienced reefers could help you there.
As I said in your earlier post I personaly would remove the damsels they turn rotten as they get bigger.
Dont go to the chenango bridge lfs for lights though wayyyyyyyy over priced they tried to sell me a pc light for a 5.5 gallon for 100.00 and online it was only 35.00 shipped also you might find what you want right here local or in the selling forum

 

[Dave VG]

Repost

Repost

I have a mixed reef like you are shooting for and my preference is metal Halide lighting with actinics. For the actinics I’m using four 96 watt pc’s which I will be switching to T-5’s in the future. I’ve been down the T-5 road as primary lighting but sense I changed over to MH’s I have had much more success with growth and color in both SPS (Small polyp stony coral) and LPS (Large polyp stony coral). The problem with T-5’s as a primary lighting source is by the time you get the bulb configuration to suit your color preference you can spend a fortune. You may want to post this question in the main forum also so it gets the most views and responses as possible. As far as were to buy most buy online.

 

[jhouse]

i just got a reef light today and i already see a differences in the life in my tank

 

[daveverdo]

What lights did you get?

You can add some of your current tank information to your profile under My RC button. Then that info will appear with every post so you don't have to keep repeating what you have. Just a tip to save time.

Dave

 

[nwrogers]

What did you get?...

*Edit*

Looks like Dave beat me to it

 

[jhouse]

it call a reef light it 50/50 it coral/sun it was the only reef light i could find right now for my light fixture cant buy a new fixture till xmas is over

 

[nwrogers]

Oh you got a new t8 bulb. That should hold you over until after Christmas. If you are still looking for opinions on lighting I personally think a 175 Watt Metal Halide with a 10K bulb with VHO super actinics is the perfect reef lighting.

 

[SPN]

You might want to take a tour of some of the local tanks and decide what color/scheme works for you. Every combination and set-up has a little different look to it and it eventually comes down to a personal color preference one you decide on the type of lighting.
If a tour does not interest you, my suggestion is to just follow Nates advice.

 

[dan10342]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13854724#post13854724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mickela
I have the nova extreme t5 and an very happy with it.Dont know if it would support higher end corals one of the more experienced reefers could help you there.
As I said in your earlier post I personaly would remove the damsels they turn rotten as they get bigger.
Dont go to the chenango bridge lfs for lights though wayyyyyyyy over priced they tried to sell me a pc light for a 5.5 gallon for 100.00 and online it was only 35.00 shipped also you might find what you want right here local or in the selling forum

i have actually gotten acros to keep color and grow under a mere 108 watts of t5HO in a 55. (of course the acros were only 6 inches from the light).

people underestimate t5s. i am only running 2 x 24 watt t5hos (and a powerbrite led actinic) over my new 18 gallon nano, and i hope to house lps, zoas, and rics.

i term watts per gallon is out of date now. i know tom at the reef shoppe, only is running 4 x24 watt t5hos over his 54 gallon corner reef, and it has been like that for almost a year (and all of the same corals and new ones are in there... so there is no doubt in my mind that the t5s are sufficient.

hope this helps

 

[dan10342]

o and one more quick thing. if you want to keep light demanding corals, why not add a 175 watt halide with some LED actinics?

i recommend going to a reef creation in buffalo, and seeing the halide setups they use. (only instead of 250s, you should use 175s).

 

[jhouse]

thank you all for the help i will look around and ask more question when i get back from texas