Lighting for Reef & Hair Algae problem!

alex4286

alex4286

Member
ok so lemme just say i have PC lights and i think they suck. I'm sure it isnt even enough for my softies. I have a 55gal (or so i think?). The dimensions of the tank are:
18 inches wide
30.25 inches long
32 inches tall
I'm at that time now where i need to replace the bulbs. Its a duo with 1/2pc 1/2artics 65w each i believe? my corals are all on the top of the tank, they stand approx. 1ft from the lights. But still everything grows slow.. some things eventually die. I refuse to put more money into sucky lights. I'd rather purchase a completely new set (fixture+bulbs). I want my corals to THRIVE. i have 3 different colored mushrooms, some zoas, rics, pearl bubble coral, leather, etc. I'm looking maybe to get some corals that require a little more 'intense' lighting in the future as well. What are some suggestions? Whats the BEST stuff. I dont want:
to have to use a chiller
to have to nail $h!t to my ceiling
pay more then $350
I would love to find a unit that hooks onto the sides of the tank
Also im having a problem with hair algae.. nothing works! water changes.. scrapping it off.. i got a lot of snails & hermits but they don't touch it. I've also cut down on lighting time. Is there any little fish/vert i can get that feeds on it?
Thx so much in advance!!
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
ur tank is pretty deep. i'd get 2 150w mh. u can get the retro fit saving u some money. r u using a canopy? as for the hair algae, r u using tap water? if not, u could be over feeding the tank. hair algae is very hard to get rid off. try getting a few scarlet red hermets. also a algae blenny will eat the short algae b4 it becomes long ones.
 
alex4286

alex4286

Member
whats this 'retro' ur talking about? where can i get this?
yes im using tap water but its good water! lol :/ or so i think. how can i purify it more w/out going broke?
 
matt b

matt b

Active Member
Originally Posted by Alex4286
http:///forum/post/2549136
whats this 'retro' ur talking about? where can i get this?
yes im using tap water but its good water! lol :/ or so i think. how can i purify it more w/out going broke?
Retro fit lights are just like normal just not in a fixture. There is just the bulb and reflecter and ballast and you just

[hr]
it into your canopy. Just search retrofit metal halides
 
reefmate75

reefmate75

Member
tap water is ok to drink, not ok for fish even with declorinator additive, if you just get a 2 or 3 stange RO usit it shouldnt be to big of a punch to the pocket book
for the hair alge i would get a lawn mower blenny...the bicolored ones are really cute and they will eat all of that stuff off and you wouldnt have to feed them enless they ate all your hair alge
tap water normally makes alot of unwanted alges grow it isnt uncommon at all as nutrients in tap water is pretty high, and heavy metals are found in tap water....every thing to make alge grow its in that tap water, and that stuff like phosphates most people do not test for which is like miracle grow for saltwater tank alges
as for the lighting sence you got unlucky with how tall your tank is i am going to have to go with 2X175 watt MH 14k and maybe 4 T5s on the sides of the MH, but MH tend to really heat the water up and you will probly need a chiller for it
T5s alone will not get the job done sorry i think T5s are good up to 25" deep and even at 25" youll only be able to do the softies low light corals
 
alex4286

alex4286

Member
Originally Posted by reefmate75
http:///forum/post/2549371
as for the lighting sence you got unlucky with how tall your tank is i am going to have to go with 2X175 watt MH 14k and maybe 4 T5s on the sides of the MH, but MH tend to really heat the water up and you will probly need a chiller for it
T5s alone will not get the job done sorry i think T5s are good up to 25" deep and even at 25" youll only be able to do the softies low light corals
i should show u guys a pic of my tank. but im ashamed at all the algae right now. my corals are all approx 8-16inches from the surface. They don't go ANY further down then that. I do not have a canopy over the tank. sorry for leaving that out. im really looking for something that can latch onto the sides of the tank like arms connecting to the lights. Can T5's work?
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
t5 would work, but i dont see a 30 inch version. if u want to go broke for good water, try the tap water filter made by aquarium pharm. it costs about $40 and produce about 100-150 gallons of water b4 having to change the $20 filter. actually that is what i am using. i am lucky the water in nyc is very very good. this is a pic i took today. the leather was fragged last week

 
alex4286

alex4286

Member
thx guys for the advice with the algae & water.
as for the lighting.. im soo bummed out.. i should just freakin buy a new fishtank huh!
 
mike27t

mike27t

Member
bob set me straight

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/314521/tek-t5-ho-4x36-for-reef-tank-looking-for-help
 
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