What a good, somewhat reasonably priced lighting system I would need?

[Maraschiello]

Hey WNYers,

I just found this Club forum in RC and I'm pumped, I literally dont know anyone with a SW Tank. Anyways... I just have your basic 65 gal aquarium set up with the boring 2 white lights 2 blue lights and LEDs and I was intrested if anyone had one or was selling a lighting system that I could use for corals and or anenomes one day. A LFS said mushrooms could grow under the light I have maybe, and that was it. I've bought some rock from SWP with corals on it and they just kinda die off. Thanks for the help guys!

Paul

 

[briangsxr1000]

what length are you looking for?

 

[5380]

It's always about budget I'd say and what type of coral you wanted to keep.

 

[sg1838]

I've bought some rock from SWP with corals on it and they just kinda die off.

ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! :blown:

I know you're not doing it on purpose, but those of us that are currently starting new tanks are paying good money for tiny little frags. You're LITERALLY burning money!

Regardless, welcome to the club...I think you'll enjoy the new hobby, and who knows maybe someday those corals will grow instead of die off! :thumbsup:

 

[NirvanaFan]

Do you have a hood, or do you need a fixture that hangs, or need one that sits on the tank? Is it a standard 65 gallon (36 7/8 x 19 x 24 5/8)?

 

[Maraschiello]

Do you have a hood, or do you need a fixture that hangs, or need one that sits on the tank? Is it a standard 65 gallon (36 7/8 x 19 x 24 5/8)?

I have a glass lid on it, the tank is 36" long, no hood

 

[Maraschiello]

ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! :blown:

I know you're not doing it on purpose, but those of us that are currently starting new tanks are paying good money for tiny little frags. You're LITERALLY burning money!

Regardless, welcome to the club...I think you'll enjoy the new hobby, and who knows maybe someday those corals will grow instead of die off! :thumbsup:

Jason, I don't know what you mean, It's just premium liverock 7.99 a/lb with life on it, am i burning money because the stuff dies off? Thanks

 

[NirvanaFan]

You could either build/buy a hood and do a retrofit kit, get a hanging kit and hang it from the ceiling/wall, or get a fixture that sits on the tank.

There are many places to get retrofit kits (reefgeek.com, drs foster and smith, etc)

You can buy hang on light kits that could stand on the tank from any vendor as well. Premium Aquatics, reefgeek, and doctors foster and smith are a few places.

Generally online will be a bit cheaper, but you coud also get them at your LFS.

Also, you may be able to find a used fixture from someone here, on ebay, or even craigslist.

What you do depends on your personal preference. Good luck

 

[toddmh]

like others have said..Money is a big deal in lighting(very big lol)

plus the kind of corals you want to keep need different lighting.here is a link that tells you the different types of lighting http://watershed3.tripod.com/lighting.html

 

[reefboarder]

You could either build/buy a hood and do a retrofit kit, get a hanging kit and hang it from the ceiling/wall, or get a fixture that sits on the tank.

There are many places to get retrofit kits (reefgeek.com, drs foster and smith, etc)

You can buy hang on light kits that could stand on the tank from any vendor as well. Premium Aquatics, reefgeek, and doctors foster and smith are a few places.

Generally online will be a bit cheaper, but you coud also get them at your LFS.

Also, you may be able to find a used fixture from someone here, on ebay, or even craigslist.

What you do depends on your personal preference. Good luck

+1 nirvanafan
Glad you found us maraschiello

 

[sg1838]

Jason, I don't know what you mean, It's just premium liverock 7.99 a/lb with life on it, am i burning money because the stuff dies off? Thanks

I'm just playing with you Paul, and trying to help push you to get those new lights so that you start growing corals rather than killing them! lol :lol2:

 

[belgian_waffleman]

I'm all for T5's. if you were to get a fixture with 4 3' T5bulbs it will cover all your soft corals, LPS and maybe some SPS.
If you think you want to keep SPS's I would go for a 6 bulb fixture. Or get the DIY kits.

Most bang and cheapest will be a single 250W Metal Halide fixture.

Waffleman

 

[Bluephish13]

lol i got some nice corals from them rocks at swp, One is a green and white polyped acro. I have yet to see any thing that looks like it.

When it is finally fragged i think i will get a lot of hits on it.

also i have found blastos
unknown lps maze type corals
mushrooms

Get some good lights those corals could be keepers.

Someone was just trying to trade a sick a$$ overdriven t5 setup today.
it was jayb see if he wants to sell.

In my own experience, on my 60 gal display 6 bulbs is all you need to keep anything. 6 is even more than enough for most corals.

6 bulbs will also give you room to play with diff color's.
IF you have not noticed i am a t5 fan also.

 

[Maraschiello]

I looked at what i have, I have a 36" Coralife light that sits on the tank. the white bulb says 10,00k 96 watts and the blue bulb says actinic 96 watts. Is that anything good? can i put better bulbs in the fixture I have??

 

[Bluephish13]

sorry to answer your real question. If you want to get the goods now and not want to upgrade in the future. tek, aquactinics, ati, are just some of your top brands. Just get one with quality individual reflectors(no bent reflectors), and having it fan cooled is a real plus, almost a must.

OR do a diy retro like i did and you can add more bulbs, reflectors, and ballasts as you see need to.

with new bulbs that light will grow some stuff for sure, it is the light that everyone starts with myself included. You will not get the best colors but corals are very tolerant