New reef lighting... So confused...

[blondon]

Hi...

First off... Seeing this is my first post.. I just wanted to say "Great Site!" I've been doing a ton of reading while my tank is cycling

Here is my problem... I have a 55 gallon tank that is 36" wide and 20" deep... I currently have a 30w 50/50 flourescent light on my tank and I know that is not enough for what I want to do...

I'm trying to build a reef with live rock, soft corals, aneomes and a small number of fish... I've so far gotten several recomondations from a few of the LFS's all of them contradicting...

Is there a magic solution or formula for figuring out adequate light?? I've heard about watts per gallon etc.. I really don't have the room to hang something over the tank like metal halide's so I'm probably looking at PC or VHO...

I'm so Confused... Any guidance here would be so appreciated... (I AM loosing sleep over this)

Brad

 

[Rich-n-poor]

depends on what you want to keep

some of these guys are hard core sps coral guy and are pushing 10 watts per gallon

Im runnning four watts per gallon because everyone i know said 3-5 watts for soft corals and weasier to keep hard coral

I think anything requiring more light than this you shouldn't really keep until you have kept easier species

Im about to get my first hard LPS coral and the advice I got said said my 4 watts was enough for this Im running pc's I like them

Of course you cant be too rich too thin or have too much light so if you can afford MH Id get it Im looking at several used units on this BB right now because Im upgrading to a 125 in spring and will reuse my pc's for blue lighting

HTH

_________________
Mercedes Cars

 

[Anonymous]

Don't waste money.Go for the best you can afford now. If I were you I would get VHOs that are the right length for your tank.Meaning 4 95watt VHOs over a tank that is 36x36x20 or 4 110watt VHOs over a 48x18x20. PCs are okay but their limited length may be troublesome. MHs are still tops.If you plan on keeping what you say you want high intensity/quality light will be necessary.

GL

Dan

 

[bowfront]

Brad, see my reply to another similar thread regarding lights for a 55g. I would say a 4 bulb VHO setup would be your best bet if you want to stick with florescents. This will enable you to keep soft corals and most of the lower light demanding hard corals. Don't try to add any coral until you have upgrading your present lighting IMO.

 

[esmithiii]

Watts per gallon is meaningless. That is like rating cars on gas tank size alone.

What is important is the distance fromt he lights to the specimines and intensity of the lights, which varies greatly for the same wattage depending on color temperature of the bulb and technology (MH, VHO, PC, NO)

Here is a link to a good elementary explanation to lighting in a reef:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PA&Category_Code=Lighting

I would not rule out a PC (Power Compact) solution. There are many benefits to PC bulbs.

Ernie

 

[blondon]

Thanks for the responses... I ordered a VHO Retro Kit with an ICECAP 660... 2 actinic and 2 aqua sun... Hopefully this will do the trick...

Thanks for the help...

Oh btw... I was able to get a new Router table and a Table saw out of it too... Gotta have the right tools to build the hood

Brad

 

[humu]

you don't need MH. heres a very mature 55 with just vho.

 

[esmithiii]

Brad,

You probably didn't need the table saw to make the hood. I used a miter saw on mine. I won't tell anyone though!

E

 

[cubera]

IMHO you can keep about anything and keep it healthy under 7 watts/gallon of VHO. If you decide later to add stony corals, try a less light demanding specimen like Montipora or Pavona and see how it does.