powercompacts

[bioscot]

I have a 50 gallon reef tank 36 inches in length. I have 2 55w power compact bulbs. Most people are saying this may not be enough to keep corals. Should I add an MH bulb. If so how many watts. Am I then going to have to spend 700 dollors on a cooler or will fans be enough. My house never gets above 80 degrees if that matters.

 

[31-2c]

2 55w PC's will not be enough light for some corals. You need to decide on what you want to keep before you decide on lights. One 250W metal Halide pendant would be a plus, but it is not necessary. You could also upgrade to 4 55w pc's, or use 2 or 3 VHO's.

I can not answer any questions on the heat issue, as I do not live in a warm climate. I would assume that if you use a couple fans, you shouldn't have too much of a heat problem. Make sure if you use Metal Halide, you leave plenty of space (8" or so) between the bulb and the water surface. Keep in mind that one Metal Halide bulb will no light your tank evenly. You will have some darker areas on the ends of the tank. This is not necessarily a bad thing

David

 

[bioscot]

has anyone heard of a company called aquatic light. They have extremly inexpensive mh retro kits. Are there any issues that you know of with this company??

 

[Anonymous]

Most places simply put together systems from one of a few component manufacturers. Aquatic Lighting Systems is a known company, although I'm not familiar with their reputation. One thing though: the minimum color temperature that you should get is 6500K. Anything lower is really really yellow and is IMO inadequate for reef systems.

Ty

 

[Anonymous]

When I started out, I had 4 36watt PC on a 55 gallon and kept a variety of softies and LPS without a problem. I wanted to move up to SPS and clams, so I had a canopy built and added a 175 watt MH to the PC's and 2 4inch fans in that canopy. Using this setup I have been able to keep everything I have tried (all growing quite nicely) and no heat problems to speak of. My 2 cents.

 

[bioscot]

SKBOK,

Did you center your mh bulb in the middle of your canopy. If you did center it was it a problem to put corals in the corners away from the light.It sounds like it might be beneficial if I add 1 175w mh to my present system and have nice lighting.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I mounted the MH in the middle and a PC near each corner. I keep my SPS and clams in the middle so they benefit from the halide and the softies and LPS towards the ends.