Lighting question

row

row

Member
I have a 55 gallon tank that is currently in its conditioning period. I plan on doing a reef aquarium with corals and anenomes. The tank was originally set up for fresh water, so it has two lighting hoods with one 18" bulb a piece. I was going to purchase a different type of bulb, but in the 18" size they are only 15 watts a piece, so I would only have 30 total watts of light. Is that sufficient or not? If it isn't what would be the most inexpensive way to increase the lightning. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
ROW
 
scubaguy

scubaguy

Member
If you want Coral and Anomones you need t-5 or Halide lighting. That would allow enough light but it is not cheap.
 
jswan10

jswan10

Member
then lights you have are normal flourescent light bulbs (NOT good for corals witha tank of your size.) your lights will have to be completely replaced with a high output fixture like the t-5 or pc or halides. costing probably no less then 150 dollars
 
row

row

Member
Thanks for the info. I was looking at a coral life fixture that you just install on the top of your tank. The one with hinged legs, so that you can just raise it up when you need to do routine maintenance. But then I need to purchase a all glass canopy. I don't know their are so many products out there it gets to be a little overwhelming. Thanks again for the info.
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by ROW
Thanks for the info. I was looking at a coral life fixture that you just install on the top of your tank. The one with hinged legs, so that you can just raise it up when you need to do routine maintenance. But then I need to purchase a all glass canopy. I don't know their are so many products out there it gets to be a little overwhelming. Thanks again for the info.
You do NOT want glass canopy on the top. The water will get to hot. Run those lights without a top. But those PC's will NOT support anemones.
 
gmidd

gmidd

Member
Like you ROW I want to upgrade my hood lighting also. As for a cover many recommend Egg Crates. You can pick them up at any hardware store.
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
I run a 150 watt MH and a 175 watt MH both 10k
and 64 watts of 10k PC with 64 watts of actinics
over 55 gallons
 
row

row

Member
I was looking at the halides, but I cannot afford them. I found a 48" T5 on ***********.com for 199.99, but dont know if thats a good price. I was also looking at retro fit kits, but I don't understand how they attach to the tank. They obviously wouldn't fit over my current canopy. Another problem I am having is trying to match up the measurements of my tank with suppliers measurements. My tank measures 48 X 13 X 21, with a divider in the middle.
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
I paid
MH pendents $30x2
ballast $100 x 2 175 watt ballasts
Blubs $45 x 2 150 and 175 10k
so $250 Total for 315 watts of MH lighting
You would be surprised what you can find if you do a little searching. Im sure some people on here did even more for less then i spent.
 
row

row

Member
So basically you just made your own, like buying a retro kit? I also just noticed a light fixture manufactured by Orbit, does anyone know about these light fixtures?
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
well it didn't start as a retrofit.
i bought a 150 watt mh Orbit and dropped it in the tank the first day i had it and destroyed the ballast.
When i bought a new ballast it had a output cord on it and i had to run it into my orbit case.
Then i decided to just remove the case altogether and buy a pendent and one thing lead to another and now i have 2 pendents and im glad i do because i use a corner tank and 2 pendents over the corner take up less room then the orbit did. and i have more lighting
 
row

row

Member
So if you use pendent lighting, do you cover your tank? or is the top completely open? Thats what else I am confused about. I have been researching and found some good deals on T5 light fixtures and MH fixtures, but if I put them on I would need to remove my canopy.
 
mandarin w

mandarin w

Member
Originally Posted by ROW
So if you use pendent lighting, do you cover your tank? or is the top completely open? Thats what else I am confused about. I have been researching and found some good deals on T5 light fixtures and MH fixtures, but if I put them on I would need to remove my canopy.
Just throw the glass covers away. They are not needed in saltwater. Those of for fresh water. A T-5 fixture or a MH fixture will both work great, just order the legs with them. and get some eggcrate from the Hardware store.
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
Originally Posted by ROW
So if you use pendent lighting, do you cover your tank? or is the top completely open? Thats what else I am confused about. I have been researching and found some good deals on T5 light fixtures and MH fixtures, but if I put them on I would need to remove my canopy.
My top is completely open the glass cover is sitting behind the tank and i have an EEL lol what am i thinking.
You will notice more water evaporation without the top so make sure you top off every day
 
row

row

Member
Thanks everybody for your help. I have been shopping around and found some pretty good deals now that I know what to do. I love this website. Thanks again.
ROW
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
Originally Posted by ROW
Thanks everybody for your help. I have been shopping around and found some pretty good deals now that I know what to do. I love this website. Thanks again.
ROW
no problem and good luck
 
mandarin w

mandarin w

Member
Originally Posted by yerboy
My top is completely open the glass cover is sitting behind the tank and i have an EEL lol what am i thinking.
You will notice more water evaporation without the top so make sure you top off every day
I would be thinking, hope my toes stay covered while I sleep tonight

With an eel. I would definately put eggcrate in the top. I don't think it would crawl out. but he would definately poke his head to the top. And that gets me everytime. Too snake like for my liking.
 
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