Help with Lights

[EJLazar]

Could someone give me a brief explanation on the different lighting systems and what is required by different corals.

Considering starting to go reef. Fish are compatible. No copper, but confused about lighting. Local Fish store says that there are some corals which will do fine with a fluoro and an actinic without anything fancier.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Most soft corals will do well under PC lighting as well as some LPS but if you want to get into sps, some of the lps and some of the more advanced corals I would go with T5 minimum or MH lighting, they are more expensive but it is better to save your money and buy good stuff first then have to spend more down the road when you upgrade, I speak from experience, I had PC lighting on my 29 gallon, upgraded to a 55 and bought new pc lighting then upgraded to MH lighting, when I could have gone MH or T5 right away and saved.

 

[TimberTDI]

Welcome To Manhattan Reefs!!!

The first piece of advice I can give and will be echoed by others is:

• Take any advice from a LFS with a grain of salt.

What size tank do you currently have now? To get lighting specific would really depend on what you're looking to keep in the tank. Like Chief said going MH right off the bat is probably the best way but you can get away very well with using T5s.

Steven

 

[digitalreefer]

A bit more about your tank would help, but basically there is power compact (PC), T5 and metal halide (MH) lighting available for a reef tank. Many people swear by MH lighting (including myself), but every type of lighting has some drawbacks. With MH lights, heat is a big issue during the summer, and they also tend to be somewhat expensive to run. If you have a 120 gallon tank with a chiller, they're probably a good bet, but if you have a 30 gallon, I'd say T5 are probably the best option. PCs will work on a small tank, but will not allow you to keep many different types of corals.

Bottom line is, take a look at your tank size and the pros and cons to each lighting type, figure out what you want to keep (i.e softies, LPS, SPS, clams, etc), then you'll have a better idea of what will suit you best. As chief said... if there's any question that you "might" want to keep something later... don't spend twice, suck it up and spend the money now.

 

[Blue02celi]

For just general info on lighting check http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-08/dw/index.php

For coral info, check here http://www.nano-reef.com/corals/

I just read that first site earlier today, still doin my homework as for the coral info, Im sure that it isnt an all inclusive list, but I think its a good start, shows info about lighting and if its good for beginners or not

 

[EJLazar]

Help With Lights

Thanks so much. Extraordinarily helpful EJL

 

[EJLazar]

Help With Lights

Thanks for all the advice. very helpful.

For a 90 gal Fish plus live rock, converting to reef,

Just purchased Nova Extreme 48"-Lunar plus 2 T-5s plus 2 Actinics. What would be a reasonable schedule?

LFS said first actinic for 1 hour, then actinic and white for 2 hours, then actinic for 1 hour. Instructions suggested much longer time for both with blue before and after. I was confused about use of lunar.

Also, does fan need to run for all three?. Finally instructions reference using a rotary timer. Should I interpret that to mean that an electronic is not OK?

Thanks for all the help.

Rookie

 

[digitalreefer]

Lighting schedules are very widely varied... but that seems like a very short cycle. I would say start with 2 - 6 - 2 or so and see how it goes. I keep a long light cycle (12 hours with MH) and find I get good growth on my corals, but also good growth on my algae. I spend a lot of time cleaning my tank that could be cut down if I cut back my cycle. Find a good interim starting point and adjust from there.

 

[EJLazar]

Lighting schedules are very widely varied... but that seems like a very short cycle. I would say start with 2 - 6 - 2 or so and see how it goes. I keep a long light cycle (12 hours with MH) and find I get good growth on my corals, but also good growth on my algae. I spend a lot of time cleaning my tank that could be cut down if I cut back my cycle. Find a good interim starting point and adjust from there.

Thx Rookie