Did I mess up already?

[justdisguy]

I went to the local fish store, and they sold me a light kit for two 'T5' lights for my aquarium, saying the MH lights that I'd read so much about created a lot of heat that would likely cause me trouble, but the 'T5 - Marine' lamps would do the trick for me. Right or wrong? My goal for my currently new, empty, dry tank is to have a coral reef with some small colourful peaceful fish...

 

[keith burn]

Mh do put out a lot of heat...
But what size is the tank?
What is the wats of the light you got ?

 

[justdisguy]

The tank is a 44 gal bow front, 36" long. The lights are 39w each.

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by JustDisGuy
The tank is a 44 gal bow front, 36" long. The lights are 39w each.

Love the look of a bow but light are the hard thing to get to fit.
Imo a mh light on it will over heat it.
With out a chiller you may have big heat prob...
But what is the wats of the mh?

 

[justdisguy]

I didn't buy any MH lights (yet), just the dual T5 fixture. Just wondering if I'm very limited by sticking to only T5's, or if I should put in maybe some regular white flourescents too, or add MH (and likely a cooler) to the system. I really am a n00b at this, I've read a lot, but don't really know very much about specific corals/fish yet.

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by JustDisGuy
I didn't buy any MH lights (yet), just the dual T5 fixture. Just wondering if I'm very limited by sticking to only T5's, or if I should put in maybe some regular white flourescents too, or add MH (and likely a cooler) to the system. I really am a n00b at this, I've read a lot, but don't really know very much about specific corals/fish yet.
imo the best i can say is read up on all of it.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/148610/beginners-equipment-guidebook
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/114340/saltwater-aquariums-101-setting-up-the-tank
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/115344/saltwater-aquariums-101-equipment
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/144099/saltwater-aquariums-101-lighting
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/160830/beginners-12-step-program
the lights you have will get you started do not use nonsaltwater light.

 

[paintballer768]

The T5s are enough for most things. When it comes to SPS, it may not be enough for some of the very high light ones and might not let the crazy morphs hold their color.
IMO in a 44 gallon tank, I would go for MHs if I was going to spend that kind of money on lighting. You probably wont have a heat problem too unless you get like some incredible amount on wattage.
If I were you, I would start researching fish and corals and see what you would really like to put in this tank. When it comes time to fill the tank and start, I think it would be wiser to come to us instead of the LFS, since we arent out to sell you everything

 

[justdisguy]

Originally Posted by paintballer768
The T5s are enough for most things. When it comes to SPS, it may not be enough for some of the very high light ones and might not let the crazy morphs hold their color.
IMO in a 44 gallon tank, I would go for MHs if I was going to spend that kind of money on lighting. You probably wont have a heat problem too unless you get like some incredible amount on wattage.
If I were you, I would start researching fish and corals and see what you would really like to put in this tank. When it comes time to fill the tank and start, I think it would be wiser to come to us instead of the LFS, since we arent out to sell you everything

Rest assured, now that I've found this place I won't be leaving anytime soon! Thanks for the advice, guys. TTYL!

 

[paintballer768]

Originally Posted by JustDisGuy
Rest assured, now that I've found this place I won't be leaving anytime soon! Thanks for the advice, guys. TTYL!
Anytime! Good luck

 

[jrthomas40]

i think you would be fine with 1x150w MH...they are on a stand and the fixture is vented so heat really isnt an issue becasue the legs that come with the light will make it tall enough to avoid heating issues

 

[paintballer768]

Originally Posted by jrthomas40
i think you would be fine with 1x150w MH...they are on a stand and the fixture is vented so heat really isnt an issue becasue the legs that come with the light will make it tall enough to avoid heating issues
Im not too good with wattage but that sounds about right for a tank that size

 

[snakeblitz33]

A nice little metal halide pendant would be pretty neat over a bowfront. You could keep some clams and sps corals.
The 240 gallon that I want to set up will have four 400 watt MH's, a couple of fans and a chiller etc. SpS and clam tank... hehehe.

 

[jrthomas40]

maybe a hamilton or orbit pendant...that would give some nice color

 

[swalchemist]

MH 150 DE will be fine over that and you will not need a chiller at all IMO.

 

[snakeblitz33]

A chiller would definately not be needed on a small tank. My new tank however is going to be in an enclosed room with very little airconditioning and air movement. With the halide lights, it's going to produce a lot of heat, making me have to buy a chiller.

 

[wangotango]

I'm assuming your tank has a cross-brace on top. If that's the case you'll want two halides not one. Putting one right over the center is going to give you a nasty shaddow.
There is nothing you can't keep with the right T5 setup. As long as they have individual reflectors and are actually ho T5 not regular T5 you should be all set. 4-5 39w bulbs would be plenty.
-Justin