Lighting Question?

[sonewfish]

I have decided to try the reef thing again but have a question. How much light do I need for a 120 gallon. I am using a coralife PC w/ lunar,day, and atinics. I think it is around 250 watts. I was told at the LFS I need the 48" with metal halides and atinic/lunar. How much do I really need? Can I add to the lights I have or do I need to sell it and buy what the LFS said?

 

[viper_930]

What kinds of corals do you want to keep?

 

[sonewfish]

eventually I would like to keep soft and lps corals. If I could keep Acropora with the LFS reccomended light I would be more inclined to get it. If I can keep the others with what I have I won't get it. Would I need a chiller with the LFS reccomended light?

 

[sonewfish]

If I stay with my current 250 watt light will it be enough for a FOWLR, and will it still encourage the growth of coraline algae? My tank is around 26" deep.

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by SONEWFISH
If I stay with my current 250 watt light will it be enough for a FOWLR, and will it still encourage the growth of coraline algae? My tank is around 26" deep.
Yes, it would be enough for a FOWLR and IMO would be fine for coralline growth. How tall is your rock formation?? You would want to stay away from corals though... unless you got low light corals and put them up on top of a tall LR formation.

 

[latino277]

just my .02.....
I'm assuming the tank is 4' long. for every 2' you should have 1 MH (About???) so... you should add to what you have now.... 2 X 250 watt MH and you would be able to keep just about any coral you want.... but just my .02. good luck

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by latino277
just my .02.....
I'm assuming the tank is 4' long. for every 2' you should have 1 MH (About???) so... you should add to what you have now.... 2 X 250 watt MH and you would be able to keep just about any coral you want.... but just my .02. good luck
I agree with that!!

 

[sonewfish]

Well if I do decide to go broke and upgrade do you know anyone I can sell my current light to and for how much? It is a 48" coralife power compact w/ atinic/ lunar lights. It is only 3 months old. Also will I need a chiller if I upgrade? If so which one do you reccomend?

 

[reefnut]

I run a 110g tank with 2-400w MHs and 2-110w VHOs and do not have a chiller. That's not to say you will not but there are ways to cool the water other than a chiller. Room temp control, fans, open tops, etc.