Lighting 101

[vblue]

Can someone help me please? There are so many acronyms and options, I'm kind of lost. My current setup is a 55 gal. reef (currently have only xenia, but would like to keep a couple anemones for my clowns). I'm currently running a 10,000K compact flourescent at 65 watts. I know I need a lot more than this for the other corals. I'd like to have something that I can put timers on that will run the brights when I need them, and then the blue ones at night.
Thanks!

 

[al mc]

To keep anenomes or other high light demanding inverts most people feel you
will need either Metal halides (MHs) or T5's (a type of high output flurescent
light) or a combination of the two. Most people try to go with 4-5 watts per gallon of water, as a rule of thumb.
Both come with different Kelvin ratings which tells you what color of the light spectrum they produce. Color ranges from blue to white to yellow
T5s are generally less expensive to buy, replace bulbs and run than MHs.
Hope that helps with some of the basics.

there are many people that can/will give abetter explanation on this board. If Acrylic51 or SCSI
posts I would suggest paying close attention.

 

[vblue]

anyone else?

 

[nereef]

you have a standard 4 foot 55gal, right? how many pc bulbs does the fixture hold? a four foot fixture should have 4 slots. two 10,000K in the front and two actinic bulbs in the back. each set of two should have its own cord, therefore you can set up different timers for each.

 

[natclanwy]

That is what I would reccomend also, there are several different ways to go about this so check out some of the T5 and MH lighting systems and let us know if you have more questions. T5's are probably the best choice since a 55 isn't very deep, if I remember right the biggest difference between MH and T5's are MH penetrate further than T5's do. If I am wrong someone please correct me it's been a long time since I researched lighting.

 

[vblue]

My tank is an Oceanic that was listed as a "show" tank when I bought it. The dimensions are as follows:
Length=31"
Width (front to back) = 18"
Depth (top to bottom) = 21"
I think I want to go with T5's from what I've heard so far and other things I've read. I'd really prefer a fixture to mount to the tank than a hanging one. The current fixture only has two tubes in it, which really plugs in as one. I hope this makes sense.
thanks,
vblue

 

[coralreefer]

if u want a T5 fixture that is good, google tek, aquatinics, or nova extreme pro. they all have individual reflectors. if you are looking for one that hangs in a canopy, go for the tek.
hope that helps

 

[butler in co]

What do you guys think about the standard 48" PC 260 Watt that comes with 2 10K and 2 actinic as well as the 8 led moon lights. I was under the impression this would do the trick for anemone in a 75 gallon.
Let me know otherwise.
This is something I've seen for around $125 shipped from that site that begins with an E and ends with a Y.