light requirements for a coral tank
- Thread starter fallout
- Start date
cjworkman
Member
do some research on what kind of coral you would like to eventually keep.
then compare that with how much money you want to spend.
You can get lighting that will allow you to get anything, but it is expensive, both in initial cost and bulb changes and electric bills.
In general for soft corals, you will want to go with VHO's. If you want to keep hard corals you'll need Metal Halides.
In general 4-5 watts per gallon will allow you to keep most soft coral.
then compare that with how much money you want to spend.
You can get lighting that will allow you to get anything, but it is expensive, both in initial cost and bulb changes and electric bills.
In general for soft corals, you will want to go with VHO's. If you want to keep hard corals you'll need Metal Halides.
In general 4-5 watts per gallon will allow you to keep most soft coral.
lexluethar
Active Member
If you plan on getting corals and/or anemones i would get a T5 HO fixture. They are pretty well priced, and they will allow you to keep just about anything you want. As long as your tank isn't more than 30 inches deep (T5 don't penetrate water as well).
I know you just want to keep soft corals, but from experience you start out wanting one thing, then see another and think man that is cool looking. If you truely do think you will only stick with soft corals then you can get another fixture, but i'm willing to bet that you will want more than just soft corals once you get into things. Go T5 or MH.
I know you just want to keep soft corals, but from experience you start out wanting one thing, then see another and think man that is cool looking. If you truely do think you will only stick with soft corals then you can get another fixture, but i'm willing to bet that you will want more than just soft corals once you get into things. Go T5 or MH.
matt b
Active Member
Originally Posted by fallout
http:///forum/post/2511934
I'm new to the hobby and I'm currently looking to buy a 55-70 gal tank. I would like to set up a system to sustain a fish and coral tank, but I'm confused about all the light choices. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Well, If you havent got the tank yet then I would get a 75. it is alot easier to aquascape and IMO it looks better. And for the lights if you just want to keep soft corals and some LPS then I would go with t-5. Look into Current USA nova extreme. All you really NEED for soft corals is power compact lights. But you can get a t-5 setup for about the same price and t-5 with in individual reflectors
http:///forum/post/2511934
I'm new to the hobby and I'm currently looking to buy a 55-70 gal tank. I would like to set up a system to sustain a fish and coral tank, but I'm confused about all the light choices. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Well, If you havent got the tank yet then I would get a 75. it is alot easier to aquascape and IMO it looks better. And for the lights if you just want to keep soft corals and some LPS then I would go with t-5. Look into Current USA nova extreme. All you really NEED for soft corals is power compact lights. But you can get a t-5 setup for about the same price and t-5 with in individual reflectors
matt b
Active Member
Originally Posted by LexLuethar
http:///forum/post/2512321
If you plan on getting corals and/or anemones i would get a T5 HO fixture. They are pretty well priced, and they will allow you to keep just about anything you want. As long as your tank isn't more than 30 inches deep (T5 don't penetrate water as well).
I know you just want to keep soft corals, but from experience you start out wanting one thing, then see another and think man that is cool looking. If you truely do think you will only stick with soft corals then you can get another fixture, but i'm willing to bet that you will want more than just soft corals once you get into things. Go T5 or MH.
you beat me to it
http:///forum/post/2512321
If you plan on getting corals and/or anemones i would get a T5 HO fixture. They are pretty well priced, and they will allow you to keep just about anything you want. As long as your tank isn't more than 30 inches deep (T5 don't penetrate water as well).
I know you just want to keep soft corals, but from experience you start out wanting one thing, then see another and think man that is cool looking. If you truely do think you will only stick with soft corals then you can get another fixture, but i'm willing to bet that you will want more than just soft corals once you get into things. Go T5 or MH.
you beat me to it
lexluethar
Active Member
matt b
Active Member
Originally Posted by fallout
http:///forum/post/2512333
yeah I want anenomes and clownfish as well.
Then I would go with t5. But I am not and never will be a fan of anemones! IMO they are NOT reef safe. say you get one and 4 months later you have a tank FULL of coral and it wants to move it is going to kill ALOT if not all corals. If you are looking for a clown hosting something then I would just get a pair of clowns and alot of big fuzzy corals and they will host the corals.
http:///forum/post/2512333
yeah I want anenomes and clownfish as well.
Then I would go with t5. But I am not and never will be a fan of anemones! IMO they are NOT reef safe. say you get one and 4 months later you have a tank FULL of coral and it wants to move it is going to kill ALOT if not all corals. If you are looking for a clown hosting something then I would just get a pair of clowns and alot of big fuzzy corals and they will host the corals.
lexluethar
Active Member
Originally Posted by MaTT B
http:///forum/post/2512348
Then I would go with t5. But I am not and never will be a fan of anemones! IMO they are NOT reef safe. say you get one and 4 months later you have a tank FULL of coral and it wants to move it is going to kill ALOT if not all corals. If you are looking for a clown hosting something then I would just get a pair of clowns and alot of big fuzzy corals and they will host the corals.
But they may also kill those corals (the clowns that is)... just ask my flowerpot coral.
If this is your first tank, stay away from anemones at first until you upgrade your lighting and become more comfortable with the tank.
http:///forum/post/2512348
Then I would go with t5. But I am not and never will be a fan of anemones! IMO they are NOT reef safe. say you get one and 4 months later you have a tank FULL of coral and it wants to move it is going to kill ALOT if not all corals. If you are looking for a clown hosting something then I would just get a pair of clowns and alot of big fuzzy corals and they will host the corals.
But they may also kill those corals (the clowns that is)... just ask my flowerpot coral.
If this is your first tank, stay away from anemones at first until you upgrade your lighting and become more comfortable with the tank.