Lighting question....

[javajoe]

I am in the process of building a light hood out of a piece of vinyl gutter, and am trying to decide what lights to buy for it.
Eventually i am going to build a 2nd hood, so i can use a total of 4 bulbs (48 inch), but for now, i only have the cash to setup 2. this will be fora LS/LR with fish and coral....
What 2 lights should i start off with?
I have the coral life ballast says i can use 2 bulbs up to 40 watt each.
thanks....
Joe

 

[q]

80 watts isn't hardly enough to do anything as far as reefing goes. Sorry
But if you wanted to buy a VHO ballast that would run 4 bulbs and only use 2 of them then you would only have to change your wiring and add 2 bulbs.
With 2 VHO you could do some lower light corals though.

 

[mr . salty]

With only two bulbs,I would suggest you go with a bright daylight bulb(around 7000k) and maybe a 50/50 for a little blue...Or you could get two high K-value bulbs.Like a couple of 20,000 coralife bulbs...

 

[javajoe]

Thanks mr. salty....
Would 2 of these be good?
"Coralife Marine Aquarium 20,000K Super Daylight Lamp
The Coralife 20,000K Super Daylight Lamp casts sparkling blue daylight rays. Fish, coral and macroalgae will thrive when bathed in this brilliant light. This is a rapid start lamp, compatible with all standard and electronic ballasts."
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Javajoe ]

 

[mr . salty]

I also have a couple of these 20,000k bulbs.They are nice,But believe me,,Corals will NOT THRIVE under this light alone.There just isnt enough wattage/intensity.And you will not get these "rays of light" that they claim.Once again,just not enough intensity.You will however be able to eventually keep some "low light" corals under them...And the color is nice.Not too much blue.But I still think you may want a little more brightness.That is why I mentioned the lower K-value bulbs also...They are less blue,and a little more yellow-sunlike..

 

[mark-24]

Mr. Salty- Can you name some species of 'low light' coral?
-Mark

 

[javajoe]

Mr. Salty....
I am planning on waiting a while to start adding coral, and then starting with low light stuff at first, then add a MH light later on...
So- for now, how does the follwing combinations sound?
1 Coralife Marine Aquarium 20,000K Super Daylight Lamp 40 watt 48inch
1 100% Actinic Blue 03, 40 Watt, 48inch
OR
1 48" 10000K Fluorescent Lamp 40 Watt 360 Degree T12
1 50/50 Daylight Bulb 40 Watt 48"
OR
any other combination?
Thanks again...
Joe

 

[mr . salty]

Both of those combos will be VERY blue in color.But if that is what you like,That is what you will get from either of those combo's...MARK24 Low light corals usually refer to mushrooms,,,polps,,and maybe some leathers...

 

[javajoe]

Thanks for all the help....
Joe