Lighting 55g reef

[hardparts2]

Im really stuck on my lighting .I am thinking of getting a Current USA Orbit 48" 4 x 96 Watt Power Compact Strip Light W/4 Lunar (Lights 384 watts) but I can get 2 250 watt MH retros(500watts) for 10 dollars less with bulbs.The orbit seems nice because I can set it up on timers for light cycle with the MH I will have to buy seprate set up for Actinics. Would 2 no 40 watt actinics work?And Im worried about the heat as I plan to have a cover on the tank. Would having the MH 10 inches above the tank with fans take care of the heat?I only have so much dough to work with Im already at 1200 bucks. I would like some advise please.

Thanks Bob

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

What are you planning to keep in the tank?

 

[hardparts2]

Soft Corals, Lps, Anemones, few fish

 

[hardparts2]

Polyps, Mushrooms

 

[hardparts2]

I am about to buy the hardware to set up my 55 reef and was wondering if the parts I am going to order are going to work. Heres the list:

(1) NutraFin Test Master Lab Kit (Tests for ammonia, calcium, nitrate, phosphate, nitrite, ph, iron, carbonate hardness, and general hardness)

(3) 30 lb bags of Carib Sea Aragamax Sand

(1) Coralife Super Skimmer-Needle Wheel-125 Gallon

(1) Tom Aquarium Digital Temperature Alert Thermometer

(2) Via Aqua Titanium Heater 150 Watt

(1) Instant Ocean Reef Crystals 160 Gallon Salt Mix

(1) Instant Ocean Hydrometer

(1) Pentair Aquatics Lifegard pump Quiet One- 3000

(1) Switching Current Water Director

I plan to use the pump and SCWD to make a closed loop wave maker like this http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html. I will also be getting 60 lbs of Caribbean Live Rock "uncured" and distilled water. For live stock I was thinking:

Corals

Bubble Coral
Candy Cane Coral
Daisy/Flowerpot Coral
Plate/Disk Coral
Pipe Organ Coral
Zoanthus Button Polyp
Hairy Mushrooms
Fiji Polyps
Feather Duster
Yellow Toadstool Leather Coral

Fish

1 Royal Gramma
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Yellow Tang

I would like to get a good color mix of fish (could) I add a couple more or not? If so what would yous suggest. Any input would be very helpful.Oh ya 75 lbs of live rock

Thanks Bob

 

[ChrisRD]

Most of the stuff you've listed is not particularly light demanding and would be fine under PCs IMO. The exception would be the anemone (I'm assuming a host anemone for the clowns). If you plan to keep an anemone I recommend going with halides, however you'll then want to take care to put your lower light corals at the very bottom of the tank or partially shaded by ledges in the rockwork as some will not appreciate the intense lighting. If this is your first attempt at an anemone, I recommend a captive propagated BTA. IMO that will be your best chance for success.

If you go with halides and want a bluish-white color without having to use supplemental actinics check into 14K or 20K lamps. 250s should be more than enough for your tank and intended corals so you can afford to go to the lower output bluer lamps and still have plenty of light. You won't get quite the same fluorescence effect from that setup, but it will simplify the setup and reduce power consumption and heat. If you prefer to have actinics, then IMO 10Ks would be a better choice. If you're going with 10Ks you could get away with 175 watters considering your tank and intended corals and that might make placement of your lower light corals a bit easier.

On the flowerpot coral (Goniopora sp.) I recommend you pass. They have a dismal survival record in captivity. Although some are starting to claim success with them lately, personally I would still avoid them.

Your equipment and fish choices look OK to me although I'm not a big fan of the new style Quiet One pumps.

JMO & HTH

 

[cjsrch]

id recomend vho lighting instead of PC
and for the anenome id stay away from it for a while

iv kept a rose BTW ( healthy happy and red) under 220 watts of vho light in a 55 gallon tank and it was low in the tank.( gave it to my friend who had PC and it started to die, then he put it under mh and it finialy just died, funny tho he was able to keep other thing )



about your quiet one pump . pass on the 3000 its not enough gph.( i had it on my 55)get a higher rated quietone there great pumps. or get a mag drive

also the scwd's switch way to fast imo get a oceans motions

 

[hardparts2]

So going with 2 175 MH with 10ks and 2 no 40 watt actinics would be the best bet . would I beable to keep an Anemone under this lighting? And thank you very much for the info.

Thanks Bob

 

[Anonymous]

That would be a good set up. You would be able to keep the anemone under that light. I would wait until you get a handle on keeping the reef stable and stuff.