OK I'm just a FO convert so I'm still bouncing ideas around and trying to get my system set up right before I put anything alive in it. Anyway, I bought my 40Gal tank last week with a set of 4x36W PCs because I knew that you need a lot of light for inverts. Now a week later after I've spent hours reading this board, I think I'm going to take back the PCs and use the money to buy a 175W MH and 2 PC actinics, because I don't want to set up a tank and be limited in the kinds of stuff I can put in it because of lighting. Does this make sense, or am I just worrying too much?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Buying more lights and I haven't even added water
- Thread starter gopher
- Start date
This is what I have on my 38 gal. One 175 watt MH and 2 28 watt PC. The MH is offset in my hood so one area is well lit for xenia and the opposite side of the tank is low lit for mushrooms. I have xenia, leathers, mushrooms, encrusting sps, couple of LPS, GSP, etc. thriving under this lighting package.
I like the look of the 5500k (Venture bulb). It looks white to me, maybe a hint of yellow on the sand bottom but in a small tank I rarely notice. I tried a 4000k bulb as a backup once, THAT is yellow. I also tried a 10000k Coralife bulb, too blue and the light intensity wasn't there. I haven't tried a 6500k bulb. I do run one 6700k PC and another 7100k PC to even out the color and to get rid of the shadow cast from the center brace. Another reason I like the 5500k vs. 6500k is the price.
I know its in great debate but I would probably go with a 10k bulb if it were me. I know there are people that swing both ways but the blues are much more pleasant to me, and with a 40 gallon I don't think you will be hurting for par.
I started with PC's on a 40 gallon tank and liked it but for the money I would get the halide cause you can always use it on a bigger set-up later. And me, for a few extra bucks you might consider a 250. When I got mine the difference between the 175 and 250 was minimal. Then you could use it when you stepped up to a bigger tank, which you will if you like doing this stuff. You can see the 10k lighting on my web page bottom of equipment is a full tank shot that shows the color pretty well and give a description.
FishFarmer, interesting you put xenia under strong lighting. I had mine under strong lighting near the top of my tank and it did well. I just moved it to the side a little bit so it is out of the direct light and it seems to be "stretching" a bit more to get the light. Kinda think it looks good when it is stretched out a little. Growth seems to be about the same. Curious to hear your experience with it though.
HARRISON
I started with PC's on a 40 gallon tank and liked it but for the money I would get the halide cause you can always use it on a bigger set-up later. And me, for a few extra bucks you might consider a 250. When I got mine the difference between the 175 and 250 was minimal. Then you could use it when you stepped up to a bigger tank, which you will if you like doing this stuff. You can see the 10k lighting on my web page bottom of equipment is a full tank shot that shows the color pretty well and give a description.
FishFarmer, interesting you put xenia under strong lighting. I had mine under strong lighting near the top of my tank and it did well. I just moved it to the side a little bit so it is out of the direct light and it seems to be "stretching" a bit more to get the light. Kinda think it looks good when it is stretched out a little. Growth seems to be about the same. Curious to hear your experience with it though.
HARRISON
I have two types of xenia. The brown creeping X. elongata and the white upright X. umbellata I believe.
The brown xenia will grow very fast directly under the MH, but once I put it in the opposite corner of the tank, it starts to stretch and pulses slower. The growth would slow as well, but I have yet to see it die. I let some of the brown xenia attach to the back wall where it receives moderate light. It creeps up to the top of the tank, practically OUT of the water, funny thing is the back top is somewhat shaded. This stuff grew so fast under the MH I had problems getting rid of it at the LFS.
I've let the white xenia have the prime real estate under the halide. It doesn't creep like the other xenia, it just gets bigger and thicker. It does grow slower. It actually will form a dense cap so all the polyps from different colonies will be touching and pulsing together. It looks really cool.
The brown xenia will grow very fast directly under the MH, but once I put it in the opposite corner of the tank, it starts to stretch and pulses slower. The growth would slow as well, but I have yet to see it die. I let some of the brown xenia attach to the back wall where it receives moderate light. It creeps up to the top of the tank, practically OUT of the water, funny thing is the back top is somewhat shaded. This stuff grew so fast under the MH I had problems getting rid of it at the LFS.
I've let the white xenia have the prime real estate under the halide. It doesn't creep like the other xenia, it just gets bigger and thicker. It does grow slower. It actually will form a dense cap so all the polyps from different colonies will be touching and pulsing together. It looks really cool.
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
