Your lighting choices

[jandree22]

Personally, for a pre-fab T-5 unit on this tank that would provide enough light to keep anything, I'd be looking at one of the higher quality units like this: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... quactinics

Now when you say anything... would you also apply this to a match of a 75gal and the 48" unit? I assume so since it'd be the same depth as the OP's 46gal. I'd be primarily interested in LPS and shrooms/zoos, but what I'd wonder more about is a brightly colored monti cap(purple) and clam. The clam I have my doubts since it'd be at he bottom, but the monti cap I'm thinking wouldn't me much of a problem as I could put that guy higher up. It's the one SPS that I crave more than anything... that is if it would stay purple and not brown up after a few months of T5?

I love MH glitter lines and I know initial cost and bulb replacement isn't much more $$, but the electric bill would take a hard hit each month and my wife wouln't be thrilled over that. But I did just find a 250W x 2 retrofit setup at HelloLights including MH bulbs (excluding actinics) for a hair under $300 which is cheaper than that T5, so it's tempting to give it a shot.

 

[ChrisRD]

I have not personally kept clams under T-5s but there are definitely people doing it - might ask the question in the GRD to get better specific feedback.

As for the monti cap, should be no problem. IME they're one of the least light demanding SPS corals.

 

[mr_X]

i know someone who keeps clams successfully under t-5's in a 100 gallon tank. i believe he's using 4x54, with individual reflectors.

 

[jandree22]

Alright, well now I'm actually 50/50 on the way I should go... but at least now I know I have options. thanks

 

[Capslock]

Hello again,

I ended up getting the coral life light fixture here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13733&N=2004+113030


The one question I have that I am not 100% certain on.

There are three settings with this lamp, actinic and 10k light on, actinic on and 10k light off, actinic off with 10k light on; obviously the 4th option would be both off.

Anyways, are these options suppose to reflect a 24 hour lighting system? What I mean by this is, at any point in time one of the two lights will be on and some times during the day both would be on?

Or, when I am about to go to bed at night, are both lights suppose to be off? I intend to get a time but I am unsure as to exactly why I have the options to have them both turn on and off independently and if the light should be on 24 hours.

I noticed ever since I got the light my clown fish is swimming around like crazy while before he just hid in a corner.


Thanks for any input.

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[mr_X]

the ideal schedule is to have the lights off during the night. the way i use actinic light is for morning and evening, before and after the daylight bulb. you can, and since that fixture is not extremely powerful, i think you should have both bulbs on during the day. so i suggest morning-actinic comes on, then daylight and actinic, then daylight goes off, then actinic goes off.
i do this for extra color in the tank during the day, but i suggest you do this simply to put extra light in the tank.

 

[Capslock]

mr_x,

thanks for the input. That is exactly what I figured so I am glad I am on the right track

 

[Slayer]

I.M.O. nothing can match metal halide when it comes to reefs
They are also the most inexpensive of all the lights.
When adding up the cost of bulbs and the times they need/should be changed in a year. Metal Halides are less.
I.M.O. if you had one maybe two 175w MH 10k With that light running two atinic bulbs you would be better for corals.
Is the tank set up? or is this just the prep. Is this your first tank?

 

[Capslock]

Slayer,

Yes the tank is setup and yes it is my first tank. It has been quite fun so far. I read that the halides are the best - but maybe someday.

In the mean time I picked up an LCD light as well to see its night effects.

I have been meaning to post pictures of the tank on the forum but my camera is inoperable at the moment. I should also get on the ball with that since there is now a ton of algae building up on the glass because I got the light put in.

 

[mr_X]

i think the LED lights are the best. i think it also depends on your tank size/depth and what you plan to keep. if i had a 10 inch deep tank, and i was partial to ricordia, i wouldn't choose halides.

 

[Slayer]

Ah yes pics, that would be good. Would like to see. so you got the tank setup as an already working system?
I have never seen a tank under LED before. I have read some things about them, and I have the LED moonlighting. But have not seen what you would call a "Daylight" system in real life.

 

[mr_X]

LOL...just because i like LED's, doesn't mean i can afford them! i use 3x 400 watt halides and 4x110 vho's.
i've seen the solaris fixture over a 24" deep tank at a local store, and it looks totally awesome. i think it's equally awesome that you can adjust the color temp as wanted/needed. and of course, the lack of heat factor.

i was just reading a thread where a guy recently picked up a solaris 36" fixture...he's got a couple pics, but he still needs to learn how to use it-
http://www.reefmonkey.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=11288

 

[Slayer]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. $$$. and yeah I've seen your tank pics Mr. X Very nice indeed.
No heat? and k value adjustable? That sounds nice.
Didn't get any pics through the link just came to a sign in page.