Track Lighting for aquarium

[method0075]

I want some expert replies to this. I have 4 track lighting lights installed on a lighting bar about 6 inches from the water surface. These lights are very bright and give off a substantial amount of heat.

I remved the UV proctection lens that they come with in hopes of providing the tank the UV spectrum that is given off naturally by these lights.

SOOO... with that said has anyone done this before or know anything about it.

 

[method0075]

Anyone?

 

[method0075]

BUMP...

I have an anenome and that`s why I`m asking. I`m concerned about lighting requirments.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Are you talking about regular household incandescent bulbs? Like GE 60watters?
If so, that spells doom for the anemone. They require intense lighting.

Whats the aquarium size BTW?

 

[method0075]

They are the GU-16 50watts each bulbs. There are 4 on the track = 200 watts. I heard the true intensity of these lights can be counted as double what the wattage is. For instance 50 watts is really comprable to 100 watts.

Based on this I figured my 50 gallon tank would be producing 8 watts per gallon. Alot more then those dinky 15 watt flourescent tubes that most aquariums use.

I thought 8 watts per gallon would be sufficient. I have some rather high LR ledges almost to the top of the water line. I placed the Anenome up there and he has not been seen to move at all since I got him on saturday.

My tank is exploding with coraline and other growth since I added the new lights!

Here is my concern The anenome will not accept my silversides or anything else I feed it for that matter. I bought a cooking baster, and tried to squirt some phytoplankton and vitamin enriched Mysis shrimp directly into his mouth but he would close up and nothing seemed to go in.

Current health of anenome appears OK still tan/brown pink foot and engulfed tentacles. I have not seen him expel anything. When I go down stairs in the morning to turn on the lights he is often laying down on the LR. It perks right back up when the lights come on. I also notice at the end of the day he will be facing away from the lights as if they are to bright?

This has turned into an anenome thread sorry... If this creature is doomed I want to take to the fish store and give it up to them. I like to create life not destroy because my inexperience.

 

[ALTI]

those lights are not appropriate for a reef tank. watts per gallon is a terrible way to gauge lighting. if it was that easy and cheap to do all of us would be doing it. those bulbs are the wrong spectrum and the intensity is definately not double. it is probably less than half after having to penetrate the water.

do some research on aquarium lighting and you will se what i mean. the anemone will need alot of light. i would recommend dual 175 halides or vho.

 

[method0075]

I want MHs on there, that is what I truly need. I know, now. I think I may just take him to the shop I ussually go to! They are really good and will probaly try to take him on.

I`d rather give him up then kill him

 

[wld1783]

Ice Cap 250 MH XM 10K Bulb And lots of flow and he'll be happy.

In reefkeeping most are learning but as far as the minimum, almost all can agree on the fact that you can let most things thrive with 250 watt high par lights and moderate flow as defined by Eric Bornman in his book.

 

[Konadog]

method0075, if the initial cost of a good lighting system is the problem, watch the Used Equipment & Drygoods Selling forum for deals. If there is a local club in your area, I would check into that also. Clubs are a great way to pick up used equipment.

 

[ohioreef]

I have a gbta doing very well under 330W VHO in my 75g. I've also got LPS and SPS doing very well. You don't "have" to have MH.

 

[method0075]

I gave up the bta to a local fish store, I didn`t want to risk killing it due to my inferior lighting. I`m going to save up for MH`s on mine, and then try again.

Thanks for all the feed back!