Lighting Issue

[alrha]

I could not see my hand in front of my face:shocked1:

you're supposed to take the black paper off your mask before diving...:banghead:

ambient light is fine.

i am sure there are darker nights, but there is always some light.

 

[twinreef]

The moon(full moon) isnt always out When i was in the Navy and i was out at sea, you couldnt see a dam thing at night it was pitch black out there. The only time you saw anything was when the moon all out.

 

[jhale]

you're supposed to take the black paper off your mask before diving...:banghead:

Mine had that nice blue plastic, I left it on because it gave the ocean that nice lit by atinic glow

I have pretty good eyesight, and if there was any light underwater that night you'd need some crazy vision to see it.

 

[Sean]

Thanks everyone, I have no canopy. I will have to have them stand on the legs of lights over the tank. The lunar lights are those small led night lights. Do you guys shut off all your lights at night, leaving the fish tank dark? So t5's it is. Thanks for all the help guys.

make sure they're HO t5's not regular output.
if you ask me I'd prefer P.C. over regular output t5's but HO t5's compared to P.C.'s I'd have to consider the actual wattage and height of the tank.

Since you have a 55 gallon I would try and go with higher wattage(not total wattage but wattage of individual bulbs) to penetrate the water better.

And I would also advise you to look into the types of coral you want to keep. When I was first in the hobby I had a 55 gallon with 4 fluorescents over it and had no problem keeping mushrooms, leathers, polyps and some LPS's.

 

[jhale]

what Sean said is true, my first reef was set up in '95. it had just three 20 watt bulbs I think, they were made by coralife so one was white, one was blue and one was a 50/50. the tank had leathers, and other softies that grew well with that low light.

 

[Doc]

Am I Crazy?

ok, so here's me off the deep end. what do you think about this lighting system? I'm just starting out and I don't want to have to curse my power compacts when i could have just bought this right away. keep in mind i only have a 55 gallon tank and ABSOLUTLEY NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING. check it out:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...a_extreme_t5_high_output_ho_lunar.asp?CartId=

I still don't know how to hyperlink on this site yet. What do you think?

Doc

 

[jhale]

I've never used T-5's, so I can only go by what I've read about them.
I have seen some amazing looking SPS tanks run with just T-5's so they do put out plenty of light. It may actually be too much light for some of the low light corals.
They might have to be shaded.
The other thing to think about is the resale value for the lights. The unit is a lot of money, but it should hold it's value for when you want to upgrade your 55. It will happen eventually
Like others have said it's best to figure out what you want to keep. If your not sure a great idea would be to see peoples tanks in your area, or stop by one of the stores in the area, such as Sean's. Actually seeing the different coral in person makes it much easier to get a sense of what you like. You can also get many questions answered all at once. hth

Jonathan

 

[House of Laughter]

Doc,

I personally think you cna do soo much more with $475, and get better lighting, BUT, it takes some time to work it out, SO, if time is worth money, then you should get a fixure that will serve you better (more flexibility) than this one.

Although, you should be able to keep some easier SPS with that fixture.

Just my thoughts.

I would visit as many stores and other reefers tanks as you can, say I want to be able to keep this or that and THEN buy a light.

BTW, you'll always want more. It's like buying a hot rod, there's never enough horsepower.

House

 

[Doc]

SIGH, ok so i guess I have to calm down. (Nuts!!!) does anyone have a nice diversity of frags that I could learn from their tank? I just want somethign that looks nice. I don't know a lord from a leather from an LPS or SPS. (Don't even know what they stand for.) my hours are nuts, b/c i work quite a few hours (80 hours a week my ass) but I'd love to learn about these things.

Doc

 

[Deanos]

I don't know a lord from a leather from an LPS or SPS. (Don't even know what they stand for.) my hours are nuts, b/c i work quite a few hours (80 hours a week my ass) but I'd love to learn about these things.

Doc

Here's a start: Reefkeeping Acronyms

 

[yessongs]

Doc, look into 250W MH its a good choice. If heat is a problem 175W will work.
Tony has good prices hes in LI http://www.acropora.net/T-5_retro_kits.htm

If you don't mind me asking, did you tell NWA you were going to put two tangs in a 55G tank?

 

[jhale]

80 hours + a week, ouch.

 

[Doc]

Ok, so I think i want to keep some pretty sps and zoo's. As much as I want to do this right, I know this won't be my last tank. I will be upgrading galore in a bit. My tank is nothing compared to what it should, had i planned it correctly from the beginning. Alas, I didn't. So do you think Power Compacts would offer enough light to get a nice diversity of zoos, shrooms, and corals? while I would love to not need to upgrade later, that's just not going to be practical. I know that now. ( ) That said, I'm probably going to some local shops and find out what I want to keep and ask some questions. I'm also prob going to see House's tank.

Thanks,
Doc

 

[jhale]

PC's are okay, but they run very hot. I think even more than metal halides.
Not to confuse things more, but the system yessongs pointed out is great, the T-5 + Metal Halide combo would let you keep any coral you wanted to. You could get away with the 175 watt MH bulbs over a 55.

 

[House of Laughter]

Doc,

Here is what i think you should do - for the money you are going to spend, this is a HOT set up - key, though, is that you have to know how to assemble and that the hood can fit them


PFO 250 halide retro kit from Premium Aquatics
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...D&Product_Code=PFO250W10KR&Category_Code=PFOr

$242.85


IceCap VHO 48? retro kit
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=ICE-2X48R&Category_Code=Icecapvhor

Cost
PFO 250 halide retro kit $218.80
IceCap VHO 48? retro kit $242.85
Sub Total $461.65
Tax $38.08
Shipping ~ $35.00
TOTAL $534.73


House

 

[Doc]

I'm going nuts!!!

Is there anyone in NYC, preferably brooklyn then manhattan, who would be available next week duringthe day. (I'm working nights) to get together and talk. This stuff is really confusing :?: I am going to be going to NWA for some questions and probably New World Aquarium in the city. any other places in brooklyn or manhattan I should visit? thanks

 

[Sean]

come by my shop

Aquatic Creations
16 Powers
williamsburg brooklyn

718 302 9080


Aquatic Creations

 

[House of Laughter]

Doc, I'll be in the city on Wednesday of you'd like to get together and chat - I am downtown and have a Nano that you can see as well - Nano is a small reef tank.

LMK

House

 

[Doc]

sounds great, what time is good for you Sean on Wednesday? House for you? Morning is probably better because once I fall asleep I'm out for hours. Sean if I could see you when you open and then House Maybe lunch or late lunch how would that work, or maybe House first? What works best for you guys? I get off at 7:30 AM and could meet by 8:30-8:45. But could meet later too.

Doc

 

[Sean]

I open at 12
close at 8