Good Light?

[jerseyguy]

Have a 72 Gallon Bowfront, Is the Coralife Lunar Aquatic 4x65 a good light? I can pick one up for about $212, unless anyone knows a cheaper source, or comparable light. Anyways, is this a good light for low to med level corals. I believe its not much good for anemones, any help would be appreciated.

 

[airforceb2]

IMO it isn't good enough for many corals at all. Yes, the light is a good light but it won't allow you to keep many corals. I would suggest getting a smaller (2x65) set-up and a 400W halide system.

 

[jerseyguy]

wow, thank you for the speedy reply. i would love to get some MH, but i cant see shelling out the money at the moment...plus I wouldnt be able to hang them. I will be happy with some simple corals for the time being.

 

[airforceb2]

You don't have to hang halides...you can get them as strip lights. I have a set on my wish list that are $412 for 2-250W 12,000K bulbs, 2-250W Ice Cap Ballasts and reflectors.

 

[jerseyguy]

Im sorry if i sound naive, but in your previous post you said to get 2x65 and 400W MHs, the equipment you are seeking seems different. If i could pick up the proper lighting for $400 I would do it, I do like the idea of the lunar lights however.

 

[airforceb2]

Yes I did say 400W. My wish list is a little different beause I have a 90 gallon, not a 75. Also, this price for the 250's doesn't include any actinics that you would need in addition. So, your complete total would be around $500 for the complete kit. There are many different ways you can go about getting lights. I want to get T5's instead of PC.

 

[viper_930]

IMO with the 4x65 watt PCs you can keep soft corals and LPS corals. You were correct about the anemones, and no clams or SPS corals either.

 

[spencka]

AFB2 is that setup your looking at a complete fixture or a kit you assemble yourself? I'd like to upgrade, but can't really afford $700.00.
If it is a fixture, what brand and where are you shopping?
Thanks!

 

[airforceb2]

Can't say where I'm shopping but it is a complete kit that you assemble yourself. It comes with the hood, ballasts, halide bulbs, sockets and stand. The set-up I have my eyes on is $750 for 4x110W actinic T5 and 2x250 halides. I'll probably get the T5 first and then add the halides when it is time for my corals.

 

[jerseyguy]

Sorry, but could you please give an explanation of SPS and LPS coral and maybe some examples of each. I'm pretty much gearing the tank up to have around 2000gph flow rate, that includes the filter though. Id rather start out with more "user-friendly" corals

 

[spencka]

Man, they must be paying better in the Military now, then when I was in the Corps 30 years ago!

 

[viper_930]

Here's the basic lowdown.
SPS (small polyp stony) corals are VERY sensative to the water and need high lighting, I would recommend at least halides for most. The soft coral tissue is nearly embedded in their hard calcium skeleton and small polyps poking out every few millimeters. Polyps are usually 1-2 mm. Some examples would be acroporas, montiporas, and porites.
LPS (large polyp stony) have a hard calcium base usually covered in the soft tissue and would feel soft to the touch. A few LPS corals are hammers, frogspawn, bubbles, torch, brain corals, favia, blastomussa, acanthastrea, etc.