Thinking Ahead with lighting.

[Ansphire]

Hey peps.. Not new to aquariums but new to salt.

Im setting up a FOWLR tank for now. But I want to have the bases for a reef tank in the not to distant future.

Its a 75 or 90gal... Probably the 75.

I already have a 55w compact fluorecent and thinking of getting a few more.

How many watts would you recommend for a 75g?.. 21"deep.

Watts and spectrum are appreciated. Think corals anemones and all that stuff.

Thanks
Rick

 

[herpencounter]

What are the dimensions I can tell you how many galls.

If its 75 gall 21 deep 450 watts mini. IMO

 

[Ansphire]

450watts!!!!!!.....

Holy ....

I would need 9 compact fluorescent.... Man.. Can you give me a link to the light YOU would buy if the aquarium was yours?

 

[herpencounter]

Idk How good these prices are (I only have a 29 gall) this is what you use for lots of watts.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/N ... 13352&va=1

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/N ... 13353&va=1

 

[Ansphire]

Wow.. Pretty expensive stuff.. I would need a big promotion...

Thanks man...

Hey for those Metal halide bulbs.. Do you need to buy a fixture or can they go on a regular socket?

 

[herpencounter]

No you need the fixture (I think). Im sure you do.

 

[shavo]

yo Mr. X just bought a light direct from china, get in touch with him to get the link to the company I think it was hommby

 

[shavo]

http://www.hombby.com/

 

[cindre2000]

You would be better off, starting with 4*65w PC, and then down the road getting 2 metal halides while using the PC for actinic supplementation.

 

[Anonymous]

cindre2000's recommendation is right on. For fish you dont need the lights.

But for a 75G depending on the corals depends on the light.

If you want SPS hard corals, and clams you will need 2x 250W MH at least. For LPS and softies 2 x 150W MH's or VHO's.

 

[mr_X]

if you are positively going to go reef in the near future. i wouldn't waste the money on 2 fixtures.
i would buy 1 fixture that had halides and compact flourescents or vho's and just don't turn on the halides till you need them.

here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-760W-Metal-Halid ... dZViewItem

just swap out the actinics for 10k bulbs until you go reef and use the cf's

 

[Ansphire]

Dag X... I wish I had the money, but the budget does not include 750w of light right now...

Hopefully when I'm ready you will find me another deal like that one.

 

[mr_X]

yikes! then i'll have to side with the others...use a cheapy light until later.