Do I really need Hallides??

[lennon]

Hi Everyone,

I am starting a tank soon. Getting either 55, 65 or 70...I am waiting for the price on them.
Anyway, I have had many suggestions from lfstores telling me about different lighting and how hallides are the way to go. BUT I truly do not want to use them due to Mercury vapor
which someone from this site said it gives off. Not to mention that they get extremely hot and I would then need a chiller.
My question is...Can I do anything other than this type of lighting and still get success? I wish to first start off with LR, LS and Fish. Once that gets established, I would like to add all the other cool things like anemones, and the nice long flowy things..(sorry, I am new so I don't know what they are..I assume corals). I know they say you need more lighting for hard corals..but I am not so set on getting those. I can do away with those if it makes a difference with the lights.
At the lfs I was happy to see that I could touch the glass that comes with the lights and not feel any intense heat. I don't remember what it was they used..But he said it is better than certain lights because there are more bulbs and it gave off a different color spectrum . It also came with the moonlights that I definitely want. But they were not hallide.
:help: I am not sure what I can do or how much wattage I would need. So please everyone..even if someone answers..I'd LOVE to hear your opinion and advise. The more the better and I can research as I get recommendations.
YOU GUYS AND GALS ARE THE BEST!!! I DON'T KNOW HOW I COULD EVER DO THIS HOBBY WITHOUT YA!! :cheer:

 

[dea_mt]

it all depends on what you plan on doing...you only need pcs if you plan on doing softies only but if you intend on having sps, lps or clams you will need halide

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by DEA_MT
it all depends on what you plan on doing...you only need pcs if you plan on doing softies only but if you intend on having sps, lps or clams you will need halide

sorry, what are sps, lps?
I like all things that flow with the water..is that what you mean by softies.
If I didn't do sps, lps..what am I missing. I want to look those up to see if it is something I would want.
I definitely want to do an anemone too.
So there is no way around it? I must use hallides if doing the sps and lps?
Thanks so much for your quick response. It is greatly appreciate.

 

[nomad]

To clarify all these acronyms look in the Archives & FAQ there is a sticky titled 'Bulletin Board Acronyms'.

 

[thegrog]

Research, research, research. Look up corals. Buy yourself a good book on the subject and spend a few hours reading. There are many good ones on this site for sale.
There are many, many beautiful corals out there that do not need MH lighting....and there are many that do. Find out what you like, then plan the tank around them.
If you want an anemone, MH would be best. Let me advise this though, anemones are not easy creatures to keep. They require pristine water conditions. You sound like a novice (no offense) so these creatures are not for you.....yet. Learn more about the hobby first. Most anemones are wild caught and unfortunately don't live very long in many tanks due to improper care/conditions. That means there is one less anemome in the wild for a juvenile clownfish to call home. That saddens me greatly.

 

[lennon]

No offense taken. But I am maintaining the tank as well as I could and also having professionals come in too. They were the ones who said it was ok even though I was a novice. What they actually said was one was ok.
Can I have a clown fish without one?
thanks

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by Lennon
No offense taken. But I am maintaining the tank as well as I could and also having professionals come in too. They were the ones who said it was ok even though I was a novice. What they actually said was one was ok.
Can I have a clown fish without one?
thanks
Anyone??
Advice greatly appreciated

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by Lennon
Anyone??
Advice greatly appreciated
Yes, you can have a pair of clowns with out one. My clowns will not even go near mine. Tank raised clowns often do not respond to hosting an anemone because they don't know what to do IMO.

 

[dea_mt]

yes this is true but you may get lucky and ur clown may host something. clowns don't only host anemones. as a matter of fact i have a percula that hosts in my feather duster. clowns will host anything that will tickle their belly IMO.