need help to buy light

[g2345c]

I am a super newbie to this hobby. Please be gentle.
My tank is a 45 gallons tank, it's dimensions are: lenght::38", width::16". height::20". using Sump, with a protein skimmer, currently has 60lbs of LS (about 3") and 40lbs of LR(cured). and filled with Catalina salt water, running for 3 days. UV will be installed later
I am planing to have some fishes and few corals(if possible). Questiojns are:

1) Which light should I invest in so that i dont have to change later, I preffer something that less heat?

2) is this:: 2 X 96 watt Power Compact retro kit 34" NEW w/ bulbs good enough?

Thanks

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

Sounds like you're off to a good start with your setup. What types of corals are you're interested in keeping? If we know that, we can make better recommendations regarding your lighting...

 

[g2345c]

I dont know what kind of corals yet, the wife will decide.. probably the beautiful one

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

They're all beautiful! Even the brown ones.

Lighting should be a major factor when deciding on corals. If you like and buy the wrong ones (lights or corals) you'll be sorry. Some corals have to have strong mh lighting, while others don't and you can get away with just some pc lighting like you have mentioned. You need to decide which corals you want and choose the lighting accordingly.

 

[g2345c]

How about this, I just visit a LFS and they told me that they will give me a deal on light, here is the details:

they give me a complete assemble 24" light (with fan and cover ... look very nice, just plug and play) that included: 1 x 175w Metal Halide and 2x55w and they are asking for aroud $300.00. I ask them that am i able to use a 250watts MH ligh instead of 175watts, and they said No.

Is it a good deal?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

That's a very good price for the lighting, but your tank is larger and I really don't think it will fit.

 

[g2345c]

That's a very good price for the lighting, but your tank is larger and I really don't think it will fit.

Please suggest the lighting size please... i really need it...


Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

2 X 96watt PC = Low light corals
2 X 75watt VHO = Low light corals
4 X PC = Low to Moderate light corals
4 X VHO = Low to Moderate light corals
2 X 150 HQI + (VHO or PC) = Corals needing moderate to high lighting
2 X 175 MH + (VHO or PC) = Corals needing moderate to high lighting
2 X 250 MH or HQI + (VHO or PC) = Corals needing high to intense lighting

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[Anonymous]

That's a very good price for the lighting, but your tank is larger and I really don't think it will fit.

Please suggest the lighting size please... i really need it...


Thanks

What I meant was, if your tank is 38" long then you need a hood that is close to that in length. Some lighting fixtures have legs that set on the ends of the tank, while others set on the front and back of the tank. If it's a pendant, then length of the fixture isn't that big a deal.

2 X 96watt PC = Low light corals
2 X 75watt VHO = Low light corals
4 X PC = Low to Moderate light corals
4 X VHO = Low to Moderate light corals
2 X 150 HQI + (VHO or PC) = Corals needing moderate to high lighting
2 X 175 MH + (VHO or PC) = Corals needing moderate to high lighting
2 X 250 MH or HQI + (VHO or PC) = Corals needing high to intense lighting

This statement alone needs to be sticky'd and pasted everywhere :lol:

 

[g2345c]

That's a very good price for the lighting, but your tank is larger and I really don't think it will fit.

Knowse,
What about if i have a canopy... and will hang it on the top of the canopy, will it be OK or i must need more light?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I can't really tell you what kind of light or how much light to buy. That all depends on what you want to keep. Look to Guy's post for that type of information. But, with a tank that is 38" long, you'll want something that will cover that amount of space or at least close to it.

 

[Mihai]

My advice is that, if you're serious about the hobby, you should buy a high intensity setup. I guess that sooner or later the SPS (corals that require lots of light) bug will hit you like it did for about 95% of serious reefers (I don't have data to back it up).

So, if you ask me, I'd say to go for a MH 250HQI (or double ended) + PC with actinic or VHOs with actinic. I know a guy (Wade) that has two MH bulbs next to each other (either 6500K + 20000K or 10000K + 20000K), see one of the tanks of the month of last year. It looks great.

My advice is not to hurry. I read about lights for about 30-60 days (including consumed power, reliability, brands, spectrum, reflector size and footprint, etc.) before I bought my lights. I don't regret it.

M.