Lighting for a reef

[tangprincess]

Someone told me I should post this here and maybe one of ya'll may know what I could do?..
I have a 26 Bowfront. Currently right now it just has live sand and h20 in it. It has a 24" (or maybe 20") strip lite with a reef sun bulb in it. I know this isn't enough lighting for corals b/c the tank is so deep and all. What kind of lighting could I do that isn't gonna break me, but that will illuminate the tank and keep everything healthy and alive?

 

[jarvis]

I would bump it up to 250watters. You will get more selection with the extra light should you decide to get a clam or some SPS down the road.

 

[jarvis]

I just noticed that you said it was a 26 gal tank you might have trouble keeping the heat down in the tank with a MH. I think the heat diffrence is pretty minimal between a 175 and 250.

 

[shanev]

It really depends on what types of coral you are going to put in there. If yu are looking to put soft corals, and some SPS. You could go with 2 24" VHO for 150 Watts of light and keep a wide range of coral. (Just no SPS or clams)

 

[daniel411]

Originally posted by ShaneV
It really depends on what types of coral you are going to put in there. If yu are looking to put soft corals, and some SPS. You could go with 2 24" VHO for 150 Watts of light and keep a wide range of coral. (Just no SPS or clams)
Agreed, while mh would be best. Price is always an issue, with some vho or pc like ShaneV suggested you would be fine with many soft corals, depending on how you place them in the aquarium.

 

[donjasper]

You might want to do a self-reality check and perhaps decide that you'll get SPS coral and clams with your next larger tank. That'll reduce your lighting headaches considerably.
I'm predisposed to DIY solutions (cause they're both cheap and kinda fun). So I don't know the brand names of stuff and all that. If you're willing to run a screw driver - then I can give you my thoughts.
I assume that the bowfront has a hood - cause you're current lights gotta be attached to something! If so you'd probably want something to fit inside the hood. Be nice to know how big it is, and if there's anything else up there that'll get in the way.
There's a PC-type flood light that you can get (~$30 with ~$13 replacement bulbs), but you'll have to run some tools to make it work.

 

[tangprincess]

I actually was wanting to do a wide range of corals, and eventually put a clam in it. However, I am not completely limited to funds, but I am to craftsmanship. I am not to handy with a screwdriver unfortunantely. So if I did the metal halides, would I NEED a chiller? I can do the 250 watt if ya'll think it is best. What would be better, 175 or 250? Do they heat up the water so much that I don't need a seperate heater?

 

[jarvis]

I would still do the 250. Most 250 bulbs are a little cheaper and easier to find than 175s. It would be better if you decide to get a larger tank later on. A 28 gal is on the small side and as you probobly know bad thing happen fast in a small tank. Bow front are a pain to find or build a canopy for. A hanging pendant would work. Im not a big fan of hanging pendants though. They definately light up the room. Are you really set on a 28 gal bowfront? A chiller can be avoided if you add a large sump and or refigium. The Idea was brought up before about a small tank and a 55 gal fuge. I like the idea. More water volume, less room to fill full of corals. I could see a setup like this being pulled off having a really clean full look, and cost effective.

 

[tangprincess]

The bf was at one point a fw tank for breeding some small cichlids. After seeing some pics of nano reefs, my parents want me to set this up for their anniversary. So space is limited, and the tank i've got already. I do have a 55, but it is fish only, along with a 29, but it is in my room. Money isn't really an option, I am just new at understanding this whole lighting process, and what is best for corals, b/c i've never really had to understand it before. I just would like it to look nice (since it is in their living room), but most importantly, keep everything healthy. Thank you for the advice!!! Keep it coming!!!

 

[donjasper]

In my opinion a reef aquarium makes a lousy gift 'cause of the cycle time and all that. Maybe start the tank and after it's done cycling - buy something expensive and make that the gift.

 

[lopeyc]

...know what they're getting into? or are you going to maintain it everyday/week?
cause, as a newbie, I can testify that with reefs there is a steep learning curve and after the first few weeks of bliss there is a period of absolute panic as you realize just how many things can go wrong!
eventually, i hope, i'll get to a cautious yet confident place with the tank, but it's going to be a while I suspect...

 

[lopeyc]

Originally posted by blackclam
go to www.hellowlights.com and get a metal halid lighting system. if you get a retro 175 watt 10,000k it will cost you 150 dollors but u can do most corals. also the norm is 4 + watts per gallon
...hellolights.com

 

[tangprincess]

Even though the tank is a gift, they know they are getting it. Currently I am staying at their house for a short period, but I am going to live in town near them and come over here several times a week to maintain it. Trust me, before I would agree to this, I made sure they knew what they were getting into. My mom has been reading quite a bit off this site and several books I have. Heck, she even understands the nitrogen cycle....go figure!!! But I did decide to keep it basic and not do any hard corals or clams, since this will be THEIR first sw tank, but i will be doing the keeping up on it. Thanks guys for the info.