Lighting Question

salty james

Member
OK I have narrowed it down to the PC 4x55W non hanging type.
Now I need help with selecting the right bulb config. I would like to keep all types of corals.
2x10Ks & 2x50/50s
OR
2x10Ks & 2xActinics (sp?)
Sorry but new at the lighting dilema, and need advice.
Also I got a price of $300 from the LFS is that cheap or am i getting ripped ?
Thanks for the help.
:D
 

hondo

Member
I have a 4X55 set up and run 2 10,000k and 2 03 actinic. Tank lighting looks great. do not go with the 7100 blue bulbs as they are junk go with true 03 actinic. FYI this lighting set up in any type of bulb will only be good enough for softies and LPS and a very limited select few SPS. If you haven't purchased it yet then go with a MH and PC combo as this will allow you to keep any coral or clam you want. I wish I had
 

salty james

Member
Hi,
Thanks for responding.
I have had FO tanks, but this is my first atempt at Reef.
PC & MH setup ?
So I should ask for 2 10Ks & 2 MH bulbs?
Sorry if this is a stupid question.
 

option720

Member
For the best price on PC bulbs and ballast i would go to AHSUPPLY.com Hands down they have the best prices for PC bulbs and ballast. It should run you about 200 bucks there.
 

nm reef

Active Member
Salty James...for what its worth I at one time ran 2x65 watt CSL combo pc's & 2x65 watt CSL 10k pc's on my 55 reef. It will provide decent lighting over a 55 gal system. You will be somewhat limited in coral selection(mushrooms/polyps/leathers/most LPS). Plus the combination of those lights looks nice. However I eventually added 2x110 watt vho's(03 actinic blue) and converted to 4x65 watt 10k on the pc's. I honestly believe that my options are now far greater(may soon add a derasa clam)... more or less its up to what you plan to keep. CSL does make systems that will combine MH with pc lights. Or you could attempt to retro fit either a combination of pc's and either vho or mh. Bottom line 4x65/55 watts of pc's lighting will be good. Supplimentation with additional MH/VHO would be even better.
 

kelly

Member
Here is a link to a nice lighting setup. It is a little more expensive, but should work just fine.
<a href="http://shop.store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/48reflectors.html" target="_blank">http://shop.store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/48reflectors.html</a>
I would choose the 10,000K with either VHO or NO, and that should handle most anything. This is a MH / Fluorescent combo kit.
 
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