drkegel
Member
OK, I've been posting/replying to posts in several of the forums in regard to lighting questions/statements. Of course, everyone has their own opinion on what type of lights you NEED for the different types of tanks - FOWLR, FO, Reef with Fish, lighting for anemones, etc. etc.
I've been reading posts on this website for well over 2 years, and have been a "member" for about 8 months, in which time I've posted on various topics, asked questions, etc. I found this site to be an INCREDIBLE resource for experience in the hobby, from the great successes, to the horrible failures. From people just getting started, to people in the hobby for over 30 years. It has been a pleasure, for the most part, to be a part of this community. I honestly believe everyone is here to help out in any way they can.
I've recently spent many hours researching the lighting topic. There are people that have rules of thumb for everything, from plumbing tips to stocking tips, but the only rule of thumb I have been able to find on this board has been watts/gallon. Which, when used by someone who understands the differences between lighting, can be useful. However, to someone who may not have the technical knowledge of the differences between typs of bulbs, this rule of thumb can be easily misinterpreted and could potentially lead to disaster.
So, in my opinion, using what I've read on this site, and from my own research and information, I've put together the following SUBJECTIVE list of what lighting to use with what.
FOWLR - Normal Output flour. is fine here. You can use other, more expensive lights if you wish.
Soft Corals - MH supplemented with VHO; or high wattage PC.
Hard Corals - Metal Halide, no way around it.
Anemone - High wattage Power Compacts, preferably MH.
The problem with determining which lighting to use is that there are so many variables. Tank depth, quality of water plays into refraction of light, is there glass/acrylic between the bulbs and the water, how high off the water are the bulbs, etc. are all variables that must be accounted for in light selection. So when you ask what kind of lights do I need for my X gallon tank, the best advice I can give, is do a search of previous posts, like I did. Get a general consensus of opinions about it, figure out your budget, and get it done.
Everyone is going to have a different opinion on the matter, and everyone is going to have a different experience as to what type of lighting you need for what, some people will tell you they have there anemone thriving under VHO and nothing else.
I hope this helps.
I've been reading posts on this website for well over 2 years, and have been a "member" for about 8 months, in which time I've posted on various topics, asked questions, etc. I found this site to be an INCREDIBLE resource for experience in the hobby, from the great successes, to the horrible failures. From people just getting started, to people in the hobby for over 30 years. It has been a pleasure, for the most part, to be a part of this community. I honestly believe everyone is here to help out in any way they can.
I've recently spent many hours researching the lighting topic. There are people that have rules of thumb for everything, from plumbing tips to stocking tips, but the only rule of thumb I have been able to find on this board has been watts/gallon. Which, when used by someone who understands the differences between lighting, can be useful. However, to someone who may not have the technical knowledge of the differences between typs of bulbs, this rule of thumb can be easily misinterpreted and could potentially lead to disaster.
So, in my opinion, using what I've read on this site, and from my own research and information, I've put together the following SUBJECTIVE list of what lighting to use with what.
FOWLR - Normal Output flour. is fine here. You can use other, more expensive lights if you wish.
Soft Corals - MH supplemented with VHO; or high wattage PC.
Hard Corals - Metal Halide, no way around it.
Anemone - High wattage Power Compacts, preferably MH.
The problem with determining which lighting to use is that there are so many variables. Tank depth, quality of water plays into refraction of light, is there glass/acrylic between the bulbs and the water, how high off the water are the bulbs, etc. are all variables that must be accounted for in light selection. So when you ask what kind of lights do I need for my X gallon tank, the best advice I can give, is do a search of previous posts, like I did. Get a general consensus of opinions about it, figure out your budget, and get it done.
Everyone is going to have a different opinion on the matter, and everyone is going to have a different experience as to what type of lighting you need for what, some people will tell you they have there anemone thriving under VHO and nothing else.
I hope this helps.