Light and tank upgrade

[cipher43]

Ok so I've been looking through some of the recent post in this section due to an upgrade im thinking of doing. I currently have a 30 gal (30x18 1/2x12 1/2) with 3 clowns, 1 BTA/LTA anemone, 10 Ricordea mushrooms, some zoos, some hermits, some nassarius snails, and 5 peppermint shrimp. Currently I have a 36" coralife 96 watt light over this aquarium (yes i know that light is too long for the tank but it works ). I am still in the planning phase of the upgrade and want to get all my ducks in a row. I have been looking into a 75 gal (48 1/2"L x 18 1/2"W x 21 1/8"H). I have seen multiple times on here that everyone has said it depends on what you are going to raise in your tank and what you want. All i plan on having for corals are soft corals and mushrooms and the current list of other things in the tank with maybe a few more fish.
I am wanting to get an led light setup so my question for you all is what do i need/want to have? Will the 48"-60" Marineland reef light be enough for what I want to have in my tank and if it wont, why? If that wont work then what will I need for a DIY led light (where can i get them,how many, what colors) and what else would I need to build something like this? I am running on a semi limited budget too, since i am getting a tank new set up.

 

[nikesb]

the marineland will be strong enough for mushroom and soft corals, but NOT NEARLY enough for your bubble tip anemone. your pc lighting isnt even enough for the bubble tip anemone.
for a diy led light, contact REEFLEDLIGHTS
he will let you know what kind of set up you need and has all the stuff ready for DIY. since you're on a budget, i suggest you slow things down because the initial costs will run you alot

 

[cipher43]

yeah im not planning on buying anything for atleast 2 to 4 months at the earliest, just looking into things ahead of time. Thanks for the info.

 

[cipher43]

BTW how much light do i need then for the anemone and is it just bubble tips?

 

[nikesb]

most anemones need good lighting. as for requirements, id say a minimum of 300+ par. yours is getting probably less than 200 par.
150w halide or 4 t5 bulbs with good reflectors will get you there, depending on the depth of course.
since you're upgrading you would really need 250w imo with good reflectors, or u can keep it up top. as for t5's, ud need a TEK fixture minimum if you want it to penetrate that far into the water.

 

[cipher43]

ah ok. I was just surprised cause i have had this light for 4 years (newer bulbs tho) and the anemone for 3 years now and it has been doing really good. Thanks for the info.

 

[nikesb]

if its a LTA then it wouldnt need as much light. BTA would need more light

 

[cipher43]

must be a LTA then cause the LFS said that it was a BTA when i bought him but it was the size of a quarter then looks more like a LTA now.

 

[nikesb]

not all BTA's will bubble and no one reall knows why. whats the color of the foot?

 

[cipher43]

I forgot my camera card at the office so the best i can do is give the link to the aquarium section with the pics but i would say its a light tanish yellowish color....... its hard to describe fully
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/385022/my-30-gallon

 

[cipher43]

So if the anemone is a LTA would the lower light marineland work or would that be pushing it.

 

[nikesb]

still be pushing it

 

[cipher43]

ok not to sound dumber but is REEFLEDLIGHTS a person on here or is that a site?

 

[nikesb]

its a site who sells kits for diy led systems. the guy who runs it is very knowledgable and can help you with what you're looking for.

 

[mr btldreef]

honestly.. i would go with http://rapidled.com they have dimmable drivers, come with optics, and you can also purchase heatsinks pre drilled and tapped for easy installation. i have seen several of these diy cree 3w leds and gotta say i like what i see. if you want you can email mike from rapidled.com and he can tell you how many leds you should go with. that marine land led is meant for fish only...not coral. reason why is because it doesn't produce the par needed.

 

[nikesb]

rapid led is a good source as well, forgot about them

 

[cipher43]

ok thanks. How many lights would you suggest and what colors and what cree numbers would be best for price. from what i saw it says 48 per 3'-2'

 

[nikesb]

contact them and let them know what kind of corals you are keeping and theyll help you out gladly

 

[mr btldreef]

okay... you have a mixed reef right?
48 led for 2' is little much... unless you do heavy sps. from what i have read and understand.... 36 3w leds are equivalent to a 250w halide.
so figure 48 3w led is maybe 325-350w. if i were you... i would do 36 3w led per 2 feet, dimmable so you don't have to have it on full blast.
with 2 4.25x23 heat sink and 2 fans.. one for each sink.
hope this helps.

 

[cipher43]

Thanks a million guys.