calculation for light

[madddmarr]

is their a specific way to figure out lighting ther is always a question about lighting.isnt there a way to figure it out by size of tank.someone told me (lfs)that 2 to 5 watts per gallon is rule of thumb.before i purchase my lights i want to make sure i have want i need.lights are not cheap and i dont want to have to keep upgrading.

 

[scsinet]

Let's start with what you plan to keep.
Any ideas on that?

 

[madddmarr]

i am planning to keep some anemones and the more hardier corals,leathers mushrooms etc

 

[lion_crazz]

What size is your tank? What are the dimensions? Anemones and soft corals are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Anemones need a lot of light, and soft corals need very little.

 

[madddmarr]

sorry my tank is 125g 22 high 21 deep 76 long

 

[scsinet]

For this tank I'd recommend no less than 600-800 watts of light to keep an anemone, preferably metal halide. The depth of the tank is the real problem here, you need halides to penetrate 22" of water and still have enough usable light left for the anemone should he choose the bottom of the tank.
I'd use (3) 250 watt halides with a couple hundred extra watts of supplemental fluorescent actinics will be a great system for this tank.
It will expensive though. If you can drop the anemone requirement, you can get away much cheaper.

 

[catawaba]

For what it's worth, I have 840w VHO over a 24" deep 135g and have multiple bubble tip anemones in the mid level area of the tank.
They are quite happy, and have been there for years.

 

[madddmarr]

what if they were to move to bottom u think they would make it

 

[madddmarr]

i like your idea and thats what i will do 3 250 watt reef optix hqi metal halideand 4 48 inch actinics.and i will also add a 48 inch lunar bar. this is an awesome forum.

 

[zman1]

For your supplemental lighting -
I'd go with a Icecap 430 @ two 6' URI bulbs as opposed to a 660 @ four 48"
The 4' URI go for about $21 each = Cost without shipping on bulb replacements $84
The 6' URI go for about $29 each = Cost without shipping on bulb replacements $58
4' retro 4 bulb 660 kit W/bulbs - $314 (440W)
6' retro 2 bulb 430 kit w/Bulbs - $229 -(320W)
If you're going to get MH and use these as supplemental, then I would go for the lower up front cost and lower cost of ownership on the longer VHO bulbs...