Lighting

[newreefguy]

Hi guys, I am in the process of setting up a 75 gallon Reef tank. Im wondering what the best kind of lighting is for the tank? Some suggest flourescent lighiting and others talk about going to Metal Halide, im just not sure...and do not want to make a mistake with something as important as lighting. Thanks.

 

[reptilicus]

Hi,
it depends on what you want to keep. If you only want a fish and a few mushrooms and whatnot, then fluorescent will be fine. However, if you want to keep LPS corals, SPS corals, clams, anemones or anything like that then metal halide is a good way to go. I also love the look of MH's, the scatter the light in rays so it looks exactly like sunlight, and the true colours really glow. Having said that, where I live no one has VHO or PC fluorescents, so I'm not sure what they look like, however, from what I have heard MH is still the way to go. If you're even slightly interested in light-loving animals, go with MH, because you will eventually anyway. At the moment, I'm in the process of moving up to 3 400-watt MH's on my 6x2x2.
Regards,
Tom

 

[dennish]

Originally posted by reptilicus:
... I'm in the process of moving up to 3 400-watt MH's on my 6x2x2.
Regards,
Tom
WOW 1200 watts! How long are they on per day, and whats that do to your light bill?
- Dennis

 

[reptilicus]

Hi,
my MH's are on for about 8 hours per day, and I have 2 actinic fluorescents which are on for 1 hour before/after that.
The bill is not too bad, I think it works out at something around 50 cents/day.
Tom
[This message has been edited by reptilicus (edited 05-07-2000).]