Lighitng question

[ricky1066]

OK Not TO sound dumb after buying my sump tank yesterday which I hate because of the noise. I asked about lighting ..the salesman says I need a minumum of 300 Watts if light to do anything in the tank?
WOW I have a 40 watt 4 foot bulb running one fixture now.And it looks bright to me.
Was he right or just trying to sell me more stuff I know I need better lighting but 300 watts.
As far as what I am keeping some corals Not really sure yet.and some basic fish Clowns and tsangs.
If he is right he said about $230 for the fixture without bulbs

 

[yosemite sam]

What size tank do you have? Corals, even easy to keep ones, still require a lot of light, and the standard strip light isn't enough. If you want to keep coral, be prepared to spend a lot of money, because good lighting systems aren't cheap. That said, shop around online, because you can sometimes find good deals. In the mean time, read this thread for some info on tank lighting:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/170123/saltwater-aquariums-101-lighting

 

[dingo0722]

In my 90 gallon tank I have 2 110W VHO Actinic bulbs and 2 175w 10K MH lights.
Complete lighting set-up cost a lot of money. If you are a hands on person it is very easy to build your own canopy and MH set-up. If you search online you can find all the how-to instruction

 

[big]

Although Sam's post of the lighting 101 is a very good tool, I do not remember it addressing the newer T-5 systems.
Before doing a MH today I think many would now look at the T-5's. with the right ones you can keep just about anything without the heat issues of MH, for less money .

 

[ricky1066]

Thanks big but can you be more specific T5 is a light bulb what fixture how many watts do you have any links so I have a clue I have no canopy so the light is going to sit on top of the cover

 

[big]

Originally Posted by Ricky1066
Thanks big but can you be more specific T5 is a light bulb what fixture how many watts do you have any links so I have a clue I have no canopy so the light is going to sit on top of the cover

OK you are off to a good start. If you have by now read lighting 101, you will see how important and big of a decision lighting is. I see you have a 75 gallon with some reservations to linking you to this thread. The is one person a so called expert by this Avatar title that one may wish to ignore. Not a bad guy but he has a single opinion on the subject at hand. "
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/303490/best-lighting-for-my-buck
Good luck with your decisions and let us know what you decide.... Warren
Oh be sure to read all the not just the fiirst page

 

[cprdnick]

Originally Posted by big
I see you have a 75 gallon with some reservations to linking you to this thread.
Where'd you come up with that conclusion? Looks more to me like a 20L or maybe a 55gal, not anything there to really reference the size to, but not a 75, just my opinion from what I can see anyway.

 

[ricky1066]

He is right it is a 75 gallon

 

[big]

Originally Posted by cprdnick
Where'd you come up with that conclusion? Looks more to me like a 20L or maybe a 55gal, not anything there to really reference the size to, but not a 75, just my opinion from what I can see anyway.

From looking at his profile 75 gallon listed as his tank.

 

[snipe]

Save yourself time and a headache and buy a Metal Halide System

 

[big]

Originally Posted by Snipe
Save yourself time and a headache and buy a Metal Halide System

The new T-5's are pretty darn nice........ I would not want to pay 400 or so bucks for a chiller anymore just to run MH. My new Nova Extreme Pro will keep just about anything one would want for just over 300 bucks on a 72 bow

 

[dragonzim]

For a 75, get yourself either a TEK 6x54 watt fixture or an Aquatinics 5x54 watt fixture. You will need to get rid of the cover on your tank and replace it with some eggcrate. Either of these fixtures will let you keep anything you want.

 

[cprdnick]

Well crap, it doesn't look like a 75. Looks smaller or something....anyway, that's not important anymore, lol. Lets just all forget what I've said so far....makes everyones life a whole lot easier.

 

[big]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
For a 75, get yourself either a TEK 6x54 watt fixture or an Aquatinics 5x54 watt fixture. You will need to get rid of the cover on your tank and replace it with some eggcrate. Either of these fixtures will let you keep anything you want.

Six months ago I would have agreed with you choice one hundred percent. But the new Nova Extreme Pro with 6 T-5 54's, good reflectors fans and electronic ballast for less than 350 bucks has closed the gap. It has a shield, legs including bulbs all in that price. As far as pricing it is nearly as good or better in some folks opinions for less money.

 

[snipe]

really only way a T5 light is worth it (IMO) is if its a 48" light or bigger. Cant cram enough of them over a small tank to get the light needed. You can get MH pendant lights on a certain

[hr]
site for around $130 to $150 (not the oddyssea light) two would do ya.

 

[big]

Originally Posted by Snipe
really only way a T5 light is worth it (IMO) is if its a 48" light or bigger. Cant cram enough of them over a small tank to get the light needed. You can get MH pendant lights on a certain

[hr]
site for around $130 to $150 (not the oddyssea light) two would do ya.
The discussion was for a 48 inch tank.