Lighting for coral and live rock reef tank

[nuffspeed1]

At the moment I have two (2) florecent strip light for my forty (40) Gal.(20Wats a piece). In my tank I have live rock and live coral. My question is what would be adequate lighting for a tank that size. I was informed that power compacts would provide a good source of light by my local saltwater pet store. They also have a 2x46w power compact set-up including bulbs for about $160 & 2x96w set-up for $240. Are these prices resonable?. Im am now in the process of building a hood for my tank in which I'm planning to house my new lights, so I just need someone input on weather eithor of the above would be a good choice for such a set-up.
Thanks

 

[adrian]

Lighting depends on what you plan on keeping in your tank, as far as coral, and the coral you have now. IMO VHO is the best all around lighting, better color, and cheaper than PC You'll want metal halides if you want to keep light loving sps corals and/or clams. HTH

 

[piscesblue]

I use PC's and NO's on my 30gal. The PC's provide the power, the NO's provide the color. A great combination IMO. I only keep soft corals and do not have a need for stronger bulbs.

 

[piscesblue]

Oh yeah, unless your LFS gives you good deals from time to time and offers great advice, I'd buy them online. I have the JBJ's with built in fans, no probs yet. My LFS is great! It gives me frags for free and always discounts any fish or coral purchase I make, so I payed the extra dough and bought them from the store. He gave me a $40 discount, so I only payed $210 for 4x36 watt PC's.

 

[nuffspeed1]

Thanks for all the great advice. My question is now (1)which one of the adove set-up's would more suit my size tank, (2)Where would be a good online store or web site to purchase light at reasonable prices. You may send this info. directly to my e-mail address if not appropriate for this site. (nuffspeed@msn.com)
Thanks again

 

[piscesblue]

Just go to google.com and run a search for JBJ power compacts. you'll find a site and you can comparison shop. Also, check the classified ads on this site, you might be able to pick-up some lights for cheap, but remember, if they are older than a year, plan on spending about $25 a bulb for replacements. If you want hard corals, listen to Adrian, just look at his tank and you'll realize he is truly an expert.

 

[fishy420]

your best bet for lighting is vho ive done both vho and pc. I went to a local lighting store and picked up a vho ballast at abount half the price as the lfs i like the lighting better form the vho and so do all my corals so go check out this idea.

 

[cayers]

Hey Rbelhm, I was wondering what Lfs, you use, I live here in Indep. And Ive only seen a few, but haven't been to impressed with either. I know one that always has a lot of stock, but have steered me wrong in advice, such as pushing the seaclone skimmer. unfortunatly I found this board after I bought the skimmer.

 

[nuffspeed1]

I was able to get the JBJ delux retro fit dual 65w kit for $150 from my LFS, which I have now installed. At the moment I have the system on timers. The actinic 7,100k comes on at 6.30am and goes off at 9.30pm, and the daylight 10,000k comes on at 7.30am and goes off a 7.30pm. My question is are my lights on for a long enough period. Please note that I dont get home until about 6pm, and like to enjoy my tank for a couple of hours before they go out.
Please let me know what time period your lights are on for & what kind of timer settings you fellow reef lovers are using.

 

[kdlbem]

Actinics on at 10:30 a.m., Daylights at 11:30. Daylights off at 9:30p.m., actinics off at 10:30.
HTH,
B
[ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: KDLBEM ]

 

[nuffspeed1]

Would it hurt if I used KDLBEM cycle during the week, and on the weekends an earlier time cycle, as I will be there to view the tank throughout the day.
By the way thanks KDLBEM.

 

[burnnspy]

Nuff, check out my Reef Basics webpage for info you may find useful.
BurnNSpy

 

[car guy]

you got ripped off, i got my 2x65 electro light kit for 80$ and the bulbs for 18$, oh yeah i get 50% discount because i work at my local lfs.....I WIN