Reef tank lighting

[atnixon]

Ok, getting a little confused about how to work out what type of lighting is needed in an aqaurium that is going to be a reef..

The new tank i am going to be setting up is 85Gals with a 20 gal sump..

Can someone please give me some straight forward advice on what lighting ( metal halide or T5's etc ) i am going to be needing..I do not intend to be going overboard with this..I am just looking at keeping basic corals etc etc

HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Niko

 

[ChrisRD]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[atnixon]

DOH !!!!....minor bit of info missing there..

Its 53"L x 15"W x 24.5"H

Niko

 

[Anonymous]

OK - what type of corals are you looking into?

SPS/Clams - 2x250W HQI's and maybe some VHO actinics if you want more blue.

LPS - 2x150W HQI's and maybe some VHO actinics.

Softies - VHO's.

I have heard good things about T5 but have no experience with them.

 

[atnixon]

thanks for that input mate..

I will probably be more towards LPS's...Can that amount of watage be spread over a number of bulbs...I.E 4 or 5 tubes?

Niko

 

[Christeon]

I have a used 440w 4 bulb 48" Long Retro kit. It has a white reflector waterproof caps, two quick disconnects going to the reflector, enclosed ballast box with 2 stwitches to turn on the bulbs in pairs, the box has two individual ballasts and 2 power cords coming out of it so you can stage them coming on and off.

I was fixing to gut the box, cut the reflector up, and pull one of the ballasts out to run with my halides I just bought. I only need 2 bulbs now and just planned to have a spare ballast in case the other one died.
If your interested you can have it for $200.00 and i'll buy a 2 bulb retro kit.

 

[atnixon]

he he he...yes, would be interested...whats the post and packing to the UK?

Only joking...seriously, if i lived by you, i would be knocking on your door by now..

Thanks for the info you provided mate..

 

[Christeon]

Ouch!
$67.00us on the surface 4-6 weeks
110.00us air parcel post 4-10 days

 

[mr_X]

i would get two 250watt halides with 14k bulbs.
plus some flourescent suppliment with actinic blue bulbs, for dusk and dawn.
christeon just UPGRADED to halides.
you might want a clam or something else down the road. don't go halfway now, and maybe regret it later. there are alot of people who do that, and the cost is severe.

 

[atnixon]

Christeon...thats a little harsh on the postage...he he he he...i wish....

X..cheers for that input mate..

the main ones i want to be able to keep are sun corals, moon stones, open brains, and maybe disks or clams...

Niko

 

[mr_X]

then go all out and get the best. :wink:

 

[atnixon]

crappo.....i just knew you were gonna say that X...

Thanks for your help buddy...

 

[pcrjunkyamd]

i have t5 on my tank i love them my dad got the VHO pc's and they heat his whole living room my t5's have no heat and give off about the same light and mine are cheaper

 

[Anonymous]

OK - what type of corals are you looking into?

SPS/Clams - 2x250W HQI's and maybe some VHO actinics if you want more blue.

LPS - 2x150W HQI's and maybe some VHO actinics.

Softies - VHO's.

I have heard good things about T5 but have no experience with them.

What rob suggested, but you can also use single end MH bulbs.

 

[atnixon]

Thanks to everyone who has given me some feedback on this issue..I have decided that i am going to be getting a T5 setup eventually..Going be saving up for this one i think..

I unit i have in mind is something on these lines...2x150W + 2x54W whites and an actinic moonlight, about 5 foot long

How does that sound?

Niko

 

[cyro]

t5 are really good. more t5 actinics looks better. im using 2x150W mh + 2x54W t5 actinics + 2x54W t5 white+actinic..

 

[atnixon]

Well, suppose i do have to agree with you there cyro...I suppose i could have on it the 2 x 150w whites, 1 x 54w white, 1 x 54w actinic and the actinic moonlight...hmmmmm...Will have to ponder this one...Its going to be a while before i can afford to buy this, but at least i will have it planned out in my head..

Cheers for the input matey

Niko