Extra Lighting?

marchingbandjs

marchingbandjs

Member
So im confused. I have a relatively new tank and i have the Coralife Lunar Aqualight, which has a 10k and actinic light. People were telling me that i am going to need halide or/and T5 lighting. I dont really know the difference or what i really need which is why im posting here.
I found some T5 lights online:
http://www.marineandreef.com/Coralif...ight_s/293.htm
Are these that everyone was talking about?
If they are would i just place them on tank next to the lunar light setup?
If this is not right could someone please point me in another direction because im lost.
Thanks
Also i dont have a fortune and a half to spend, so some of the bigger setups might not be best, i just want a light that will be suitable.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Marchingbandjs
http:///forum/post/3107921
So im confused. I have a relatively new tank and i have the Coralife Lunar Aqualight, which has a 10k and actinic light. People were telling me that i am going to need halide or/and T5 lighting. I dont really know the difference or what i really need which is why im posting here.
I found some T5 lights online:
http://www.marineandreef.com/Coralif...ight_s/293.htm
Are these that everyone was talking about?
If they are would i just place them on tank next to the lunar light setup?
If this is not right could someone please point me in another direction because im lost.
Thanks
Also i dont have a fortune and a half to spend, so some of the bigger setups might not be best, i just want a light that will be suitable.

T5 or Metal Halides (MH) are good lights if you want all types of corals (SPS, LPS and soft) and anemones, yes they will fit next to the lunar lights and actinic.
If you are only going to keep fish, you can go with a Power compacts (fluorescents) ...if you want to keep low light type of corals you can use the power compacts as well.
MH lights are the most expensive and they look the nicest (makes a ripple of lights on the tank like the ocean) they cost anywhere from $300.00 - $1000.00 and up...T5s will give enough light to sustain any type of corals and anemones. T5s can cost almost as much, if not the same as MH lights...power compacts can cost around $200.00-$400.00
Don't go cheap on the lights, they are the most important purchase. Your lights are what determine what you can keep in the tank...if you go cheap and get the PCs and want coral later, like I did...you will land up spending more because you keep upgrading the lights. If you save, and buy what you want off the bat..You save money in the long run so you can spend on other more useful things like fish and coral...
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
depending on the size of the tank, u will need at least 4, preferably 6 t5 bulbs with individual reflectors. the link u posted, those lights r no good. most good t5 set should run between $300-600, depending on length.
 
marchingbandjs

marchingbandjs

Member
O okay.... that opens my eyes a little.
With a 38 gallon tank, where is the room coming for the lights...
I might barely be able 2 squeeze that single light fixture on top..
how do you guys have the room for your lights...
So with my lunar set now what inverts and corals will i be able to keep...
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Marchingbandjs
http:///forum/post/3107961
O okay.... that opens my eyes a little.
With a 38 gallon tank, where is the room coming for the lights...
I might barely be able 2 squeeze that single light fixture on top..
how do you guys have the room for your lights...
So with my lunar set now what inverts and corals will i be able to keep...

For a small tank like that..try a pendant. A MH pendant will cost around 150.00, attaches to the back side of the tank by a clip and hangs over the tank. Moonlights and actinic should not cover the whole tank. 1 strip of actinic and 2 LED moonlights would more than be enough.
 
marchingbandjs

marchingbandjs

Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3107968

For a small tank like that..try a pendant. A MH pendant will cost around 150.00, attaches to the back side of the tank by a clip and hangs over the tank. Moonlights and actinic should not cover the whole tank. 1 strip of actinic and 2 LED moonlights would more than be enough.

So what would i do with the light system i have now... Would it be possible to put a halide bulb into the 10k spot, and take the 10k's out???
Theres and option .... maby
 
marchingbandjs

marchingbandjs

Member
What kind of corals would be okay with what i have now... i go to college in a year... Not sure if my sisters will be able to keep up with tank and might have to downgrade it to just a FOWLR tank. But after college ima set up a 120 with this as the sump, i think...
But ya what kindof corals can i have with my lunar aqua lights, so a 10k and a actinic
 
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