lighting question

[xhappyx]

i went to my lfs and they suggested that i use these lights

they are 36" Aqualight 2-96W Square Pin Base
The Aqualight is the complete line of compact fluorescent lighting units for your saltwater, reef or freshwater aquariums. The Aqualight is a sleek and streamlined fixture, designed to enhance and complement your aquarium. The compact and low profile style is equipped with a modern aluminum housing and a highly-polished reflector for optimal lighting. It also includes a protective acrylic lens cover and Coralife compact fluorescent lamps.
Product Information:
Aqualight Deluxe Series - Double Linear Strip
# 96 watt 10,000K and 96 watt True Actinic 03 Blue square pin base compact fluorescent lamps
# Two on/off switches with two 8-foot power cords for separate timers
# Built-in ballasts
# Two cooling fans
# Sleek aluminum housing
# Highly-polished reflector
# Acrylic lens cover
just wondering if i'll be able to keep most corals with that type of lighting. thanks.

 

[reefnut]

On a 30g tank that lighting will support a wide verity of corals. Mostly soft and LPS corals... no sps corals or light demanding clams or anemones.

 

[xhappyx]

i'm so confused when it comes to this lighting. thanks. does anyone know of a good diy with parts that i would need then. my tankk measures 36lx12wx16h. i want to be able to have a good amount of corals and anemones without a problem. and i have no clue what parts are needed. i keep reading and reading up on it but so many different things with no exact answer to what i need to do for my setup. thanks.

 

[reefnut]

They have 36" fixtures with a 150w HQI DE MH and 2- 96w PC actinics, this would allow you to keep just about anything. A single 250w HQI DE MH w/o actinics would also be nice IMO.

 

[xhappyx]

thanks. now how do i go about finding out what all that means hahaha sorry for the stupid questions.

 

[robchuck]

The fixture that Reefnut recommended would probably be your best bet for a complete and intense lighting hood for a 30g. That hood is also made by Coralife and is called the Coralife 36" Aqualight Pro (2x150W HQI MH, actinic PC, and LED moonlights), I believe. If your LFS sells Coralife PC hoods, they should be able to order this for you.

 

[xhappyx]

thanks for the help. is there a cheaper diy way of doing that and what would be needed. i'm generally pretty good at this diy stuff. and would love to give it a shot if it's going to save me a couple of bucks

 

[runninfrom]

man i was in the same boat but bigger.I need lighting for my 250gal tank and wanted corals but it would take a small fortune so to make a long story short look into t5 high output lighting.Its small not as hot cheaper and if you have a new home depot nearby you can do it really cheap.If you get the t5 ho you can even get sps corals.

 

[xhappyx]

Originally Posted by runninfrom
man i was in the same boat but bigger.I need lighting for my 250gal tank and wanted corals but it would take a small fortune so to make a long story short look into t5 high output lighting.Its small not as hot cheaper and if you have a new home depot nearby you can do it really cheap.If you get the t5 ho you can even get sps corals.
if i were to do the t5 what would be needed. no matter how many times i've read this stuff i still have no clue as to what i need to this properly. by moonlights that means just led right? hopefully i understnad that. when u say t5 is that just the bulb or is there an actual fixture i can get from home depot. and how many watts and what is this actinic. sorry i really am just trying to understnad , and so far i'm not and it's just agrivating .thanks

 

[xhappyx]

ok i think i have figured out a decent diy it would have 2x150w mh and 2 actinic pc just wondering what watts for that and what ballast i would need thanks.