watts per gallon?

[msuzuki126]

Well i posted this under lights, filtration etc forum but got no replies so here i go... I have a 37 gallon tank and was wondering if a 130 watt fixture would be enough for some corals and a BTA. I am a high school student on a super tight budget Any suggestions please?

 

[msuzuki126]

help pleaseee

 

[iCam]

What type of light is it?

The watts per gallon rule isn't very useful, as it doesn't take into consideration the different types of lighting. 4w/g MH is different than 4w/g PC, for example.

 

[msuzuki126]

powercompact sorry

 

[iCam]

It should be enough for some softies and some LPS. Some SPS such as montipora might do okay towards the top.

I'm not sure about the BTA. I would probably opt against getting it.

 

[msuzuki126]

shoot i really want the BTA because im getting a pair of clowns.. I heard that if you feed the BTA daily it will do fine?

 

[dascharisma]

Forget anenomes with that lighting. Don't plan on sps or clams. Everything else will be fine.


Brad

 

[msuzuki126]

ok then in that case.. what kind of lighting would i need for an anemone.. MH is out of the picture.. any cheap suggestions?

 

[The Reefer91]

one thing i would like to say is that there was a discussion about BTA's a little while back and the main verdict was no, you don't need MH, as long as they have good water quality and regular feeding.

as for lighting, i don't know if thsi in your price range but here
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&ref=3532&subref=AY&N=2004+113175

or there is this
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9871&ref=3532&subref=AY&N=2004+113345

HTH

 

[msuzuki126]

ok thanks alot reefer, i actually found a 30 inch PC fixture (perfect size and cheaper) it has two 65 watt bulbs

i can choose out of: actinic blue, 10k white, 50.50 - half blue half white, or 6500 k plant growth

what lights would u suggest?

 

[The Reefer91]

depends on what you have already. if you already have a actinic blue and a daylight, get one more of each. personally, i prefer to have equal amounts of both 10k lights and actinic blues.

 

[msuzuki126]

well right now i have a regular flourescent lol.. i will probably put a 20 or 40 watt actinic in in the flourescent housing

 

[Anemonebuff]

It will not cost you much more for MH. Spend now rather than later.

 

[msuzuki126]

well any ideas of a MH fixture that has enough watts for a 37 gallon. Also price needs to be 200$ or less

 

[travisurfer]

if you are considering running a two bulb pc then i would look at metal halide.

2 pc bulbs=$60
1 mh bulb=$60

 

[Anemonebuff]

What is the foot print of a 37 gallon?

 

[msuzuki126]

well it is a bow.. so not including the bowed front it is 30" x 10" i think.. i am not home right now

 

[iCam]

If you look around on some of the sponsor sites, you should be able to find some 150w MH pendants that aren't too badly priced.

I am not one to say you have to have MH, because every tank is different, and I have kept SPS and clams with VHO. But, if you want to keep some of the more intense light needing invertebrates, a MH fixture wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[msuzuki126]

ok iCam thanks alot

 

[The Reefer91]

how about this?

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=HT1311