Lighting qustion

[shanet1975]

Morning!!!!
I have a 39 gallon tank (30") and am looking into getting a T5 fixture. I curently have 2 single bulb pc lights on there. I can get one of these used and was just wondering if anyone has any feedback? Would this be eough light for most corals?
Thanks
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1414

 

[shanet1975]

Just noticed my title. I meant question

 

[brokereefer]

you could do any softies lps i would stay away from anemones and sps as you'll be only getting about 2.6 watts per gallon
but anything else is ok
f you got into the hammers and frogspawn type of corals or brains place them higher in the tank
hope this helps

 

[alpha0r]

What are the dimensions of your tank? I'm not familiar with the 39. Looks like a fine fixture to me although I wonder about the quality of the bulbs. BTW the 5 watts per gallon rule only applies if your using all VHOs.

 

[reverendmaynard]

IMO, that would be enough for most corals, with the SPS/clams near the top of the rock work. If I'm not mistaken, that tank is like 30"x12"x24". Much too deep for SPS/clams on the bottom with that fixture. You could upgrade it later with an icecap ballast and some cooling fans to overdrive the bulbs and get more penetration.

ETA: IMO, watts per gallon is useless. It's all about reflectors and tank shape. You could have 10 wpg with naked bulbs on a 30" deep tank and it might not be enough. OTOH, 2 wpg with the best reflectors on a 18" tall tank might be enough.

 

[alpha0r]

What is throwing me off is that there is no standard 30' 39g tank. There is only a 29 (19' deep) and a 37 (23' deep). So which do you have? The 4' does make a difference on lighting.

 

[shanet1975]

Looks like it is a 37 gallon. It was listed as a 39 on craigslist.....
Are there any other lights out there that are better but comparable in price?
Thanks

 

[shanet1975]

or this is listed here???
I have a 30" orbit fixture
its a 150w with 6 blue and white moon lights. one blue and one white are not working.
it has a 3 month old 14k coralife bulb
and also a 8 month old 10k bulb
i want to upgrade to a 250w or more
looking for 150$$ or best offer
can be picked up in hull or in south boston
thanks

 

[brokereefer]

jbj makes whats called the k2 viper clamp on
it ranges from 70w to 250w metal halide prices are around 125 - 300 you can shop around best thing about it is you can clamp it on your tank i had one and it worked beyond perfect i think someone here has 2 for sale for like 200 or something like that then you'll have no problem whatso ever carrying any corals of your choice

 

[brokereefer]

Coralife 150W Clamp Fixtures
marine mike thats who has them not sure if still does or not
hope that helps

 

[alpha0r]

I have a 250w on my 29. Works great. It would be good with such a deep tank too. Although you will need to watch the heat

 

[brokereefer]

the new jbj's k2 vipers come with built in fans at the base now its pretty sweet

 

[alpha0r]

the new jbj's k2 vipers come with built in fans at the base now its pretty sweet

They do look nice. But $370 for the 250w with moon lights seems steep.

You can get a 250w retrofit from hellolights for less than 200 bucks and you can pick your bulb. I have the same reflector and you can fit it and actinics in a 12' wide tank. Hellolights also has a 2x24' t5 HO retro for 105 with TRU actinic bulbs. You can buy moon lights from ebay for less than 20 bucks. Of course you would probably need a good fan ~20. So for 335 bucks you could have 250w MH, 2x24w t5 actnics, moonlights, and a fan.

 

[focus]

or this is listed here???
I have a 30" orbit fixture
its a 150w with 6 blue and white moon lights. one blue and one white are not working.
it has a 3 month old 14k coralife bulb
and also a 8 month old 10k bulb
i want to upgrade to a 250w or more
looking for 150$$ or best offer
can be picked up in hull or in south boston
thanks

If it was me, I would buy the above.

 

[shanet1975]

I just pmed the person with the above mentioned mh. So would that setup be good for most coral? The price seems right even with 2 bulbs not workinhg....

 

[shanet1975]

Or how about these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/30-380W-Metal-H...hash=item140247232845&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318
If I am pestering anyone w/all these questions, pls let me know....

 

[shanet1975]

Or a touch cheaper and less wattage:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130237935542

 

[alpha0r]

Or a touch cheaper and less wattage:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130237935542

The page says it is a 175w DE but there is no such thing. DE only comes in 70, 150, 250, and 400. Perhaps they are driving a DE bulb with an SE ballast? Both fixtures seem OK but I have never heard of the company. They look like coralife knock offs to me.

 

[shanet1975]

Would I need the bigger one for my 37 gallon tank which is 30x12x23ish/....?

 

[alpha0r]

Would I need the bigger one for my 37 gallon tank which is 30x12x23ish/....?

It depends on what you want to keep. For softies and such the t5s would be great, if you want to keep SPS/LPS/Clams on your sand bed you need the 250 MH, if you would be happy with SPS ect. in the top half of the tank than the 175 will work. The general rule is decide what you want to keep and then design the ecosystem (lighting, water movement, filtration, ect.) around those animals.