Hey all you lighting experts!

[wattsupdoc]

OK, Im a newb so please bear with me here. What I'm trying to figure out is what is it that we are trying to achieve in the manner of lighting. In other words what is it that we desire for an opyimum lighting in a reef tank. What is it that the little varmits need to survive and thrive and what would be considered too much or not enough. i started this in another thread and kinda got outta track there. Not wanting to know about what kinda light fixture to use or what kinda lamp to use in it but the physics of what we are trying to acheive with them.Also how the refraction of light through water comes into play here and why at18 inches this isnt discussed much but with a tall 65 which is 24 in it seems to be an issue. Looking for the basics of what they need and light spectrum that is ideal. One of you saltwater gods

know what it is im talkin about and has the answer.

 

[saltfan]

Your not looking for anything but to sell these people something. Give it a rest. You have enough threads started on this subject.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Screw you! Some body get my back on this I think there at least 1 person in this site who knows I not a salesman and saltfan is the one giving bad advise to people as if hes an expert.

 

[saltfan]

If they read the other threads, I understand better than you are writing.

 

[saltfan]

I totally understand the anicdote of your name. You just are not explaining the stuff quite right. And the threads that I have read on these subjects of yours, your not comparing them = either. 4100k is not the same as 6500k

 

[wattsupdoc]

nope you dont ive been an electrican for 23yrs.now redmy other [posts and youll see Im just a novice saltater guy. BTW if i were a salesman dont you think i would try to sell all kinds of lites? I was trying to help tim out where he helped me with my skimmer...YOUR A JERK!

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
Screw you! Some body get my back on this I think there at least 1 person in this site who knows I not a salesman and saltfan is the one giving bad advise to people as if hes an expert.
Easiest way I can say, like I have about the T-5 threads, is that they haven't sold me on them. I give an opinion on the lighting.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
23yrs.YOUR A JERK!
Nice thread, and might I add....Name calling??? And your how old here again?

 

[wattsupdoc]

Originally Posted by SaltFan
I totally understand the anicdote of your name. You just are not explaining the stuff quite right. And the threads that I have read on these subjects of yours, your not comparing them = either. 4100k is not the same as 6500k

My name is not new to this site it is a company logo. My catalog only offers these parameters so as i was trying to explain to tim about t5's i used those. YOU DISSED ME WITHOUT CAUSE!

 

[wattsupdoc]

Im 39 yrs.old your the inmature one. who started this this crap I DO NOT APPRECIATE YOU CALLING ME A SALESMAN! AND HIJACKING MY THREAD!

 

[saltfan]

Whatever...You win, I'm not going to argue with you anymore. I'll stay out of your business.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Originally Posted by SaltFan
Easiest way I can say, like I have about the T-5 threads, is that they haven't sold me on them. I give an opinion on the lighting.

So because you arent sold on them you start dissing on me because the evidence i give is compelling. WAY TO GO DUDE RWEAL ETHICAL ON YOUR PART!

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
So because you arent sold on them you start dissing on me because the evidence i give is compelling. WAY TO GO DUDE RWEAL ETHICAL ON YOUR PART!
You had better take another look at another thread about the lighting. Mr Thomas have some very nice reasoning about PAR, which I might add, you haven't even touched upon. Then again, my bad I'm not supposed to be in here anymore am I.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
My name is not new to this site it is a company logo. My catalog only offers these parameters so as i was trying to explain......

DO NOT APPRECIATE YOU CALLING ME A SALESMAN

 

[db]

There are many lighting choices in this hobby, but in my opinion you would be happiest with either a T5 or MH fixture. What bulbs you choose and what wattage you choose is going to really depend on what you are trying to keep and how blue you want your tank? Giving me some more details on what your plans are and I could help you some more.

 

[shiby1510]

If you want a full reef tank with a variety of corals you'll wanna go with mh.
I started at pc's and now I want to upgrade... do it the first time and save the money

 

[xrobbx03]

Originally Posted by shiby1510
If you want a full reef tank with a variety of corals you'll wanna go with mh.
I started at pc's and now I want to upgrade... do it the first time and save the money

I agree i started out with VHO and now am upgrading to MH i wish i just took the plunge right away. You wont have to worry about light when you have MH. You will be able to keep anything you want.

 

[turningtim]

Yes MH is the easy answer but thats not the question at hand. It would seem that there are various methods to light a reef and we are trying to figure out what is the most effient way to go. Doc here is a master electrican but has limited knowlegde of the color temp and so on for a reef tank.
So the bare bones here is what are we (as hobbists) are after in terms of light requirements.
Watts is a term used for power consumption and not effientcy or usable light for the animals. Also temp range and color spectrum has to play a part in what we are trying to achieve for our tanks.
Lots of terms have been thrown around about the measure of light: watts, par, k-temp, output rating and so on.
I personnelly would love to hear what evryone thinks and try and get a good handle on what is what for lighting.
Everyone standard answer is go with MH but is that really nessasary? It would seem that there is a lot more at play here rather than just blasting light in to the tank?
Tim

 

[coachklm]

Thats true theres alot more to it but then reading other post made by certain members and comment wherein leads me to believe thats everyone is wrong but this member... so not to get chastised about the knowledge I do have, I respestfully refuse to post (for once)
because it comes down to .......... To Each Their Own.
I'm happy with my set-up ,I like it- Thats all that matters.

 

[turningtim]

Come on coach! Just in the last half hour I've pulled some great stuff up on the net. I do agree that there are different ways to do things and if you take one persons advise is silly. We all have a right to believe what we believe to be true. But as far as I'm concerned this all should be a free exchange of ideas and no one should be flamed for it.
I valve your opinion and would love to hear what you have to say! I may or may not agree but thats doesn't mean I don't want the input.........
Tim