carribean based aquarium!

[psychoskater]

Sup,
I have started a 30 gallon tank. It has 5 lb of lr and about 20 lb of cc. It has just cycled. I have decided to make it a Carribean based reef tank. I am plannng on putting in corals like a purple frilly gorgonian, richordia mushrooms, polyps, ect. I also want to put in fish like maybe a pygmy angel and inverts like feather dusters. I am also going to buy about 30lb of carribean lr i found on a great website. I was wondering if 50 watts of light would be good. I would want a 10k and a acticinc. I read that the acticinc will bring out the vibrant colors of the richordia. I do have a good amount of experiece in freshwater aquariums...j/k saltwater...I just want to know if this is a good idea. This tank will be completly carriben based. I think it will be cool. Please put what you think!
thanks,
psycho

 

[bang guy]

I'm always envious of Biotope specific environments. It's so much more natural.
IMO 250 - 400watts* of lighting would be more appropriate.
* - strictly to mimic the biotope. You definately want more light than 50 watts though.

 

[psychoskater]

really its only a 30 gallon tank. wouldnt 200 watts make my fish blind...j/k

 

[psychoskater]

lol,
wow how would i do that i meen would it have to have pc lights

 

[gatorcsm]

That's some bad champaign...

 

[nm reef]

Hmmmm...in my humble opinion Miller would be the same as the 50 watts of NO lighting...Budweiser would be more like a 175 watt MH with actinic suppliments.

Seriously...if you are considering developing a reef I'd urge you to consider additional lighting...there are several available options to increase your lighting. Bottom line though is 50 watts would limit your options as far as corals go.
Just to provide an example of the lighting required to sustain a reef I run 4x65 watts of 10k PC's and 2x110 watts of super actinic VHO's on a 55 gal reef...and my lighting would be considered moderate.:thinking:
Visit the home of NM Reef

 

[psychoskater]

well that sucks...i dont got 500 bucks...lol

 

[nm reef]

I did have $500...but not any more. I am waiting for a PFO dual 250 watt halide system to be delivered...along with a few other goodies!

Gotta love this hobby...but it is damaging to a budget!!:thinking:

 

[psychoskater]

o well this web site says these corals that i want need low lighting....how about 150watts remember it is 30 gallons

 

[psychoskater]

wups my bad it is 25 gal

 

[psychoskater]

Gotta love this hobby...but it is damaging to a budget!!
ya especially to a freshman in highschool with no job!

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by psychoskater
o well this web site says these corals that i want need low lighting
Can you list what you're putting in the tank? That would help a lot.

 

[aarone]

now 40's of olde english! that is some good brew :nervous:

Please post specific corals and we can probably help you choose your lighting.
aaron

 

[psychoskater]

here are the corals:
Purple Frilly Gorgonia
Ricordea Mushroom Coral - Blue
Green Sea Mat
Ricordea Mushroom Coral - Gold/Orange
Caribbean Corallimorphs
ps. you should really see the lr i want

 

[bang guy]

ahh....
You are correct about the low light corals.
Will a pair of 65 watt PC's fit over the 25 gal?

 

[psychoskater]

sweet,
i can afford pc lights(i think) lol... I have 50 watts of flouresent now...what if i just slap a 65 watt pc with that?

 

[nm reef]

A 65 PC would be decent lighting for the corals you listed...but the gorgonian may be questionable. The rest should do fine.:thinking:

 

[psychoskater]

ok so i have come to the conclusion that i am going to buy a 65 watt pc light...is that good or bad?

 

[bang guy]

Could work.. Be sure the Gorg is directly under the PC bulb.

 

[psychoskater]

cool i found a pc light that is 65 watts(its also affordable ) Im getting a gift card to a web site that has all this stuff for christmas so when i get it im going to be in heaven. Now what kind of bulbs would be the best? wouldnt like 50/50 and atinic look the best?