jillian ayers
Member
Another stupid question...
What kind of light system would I need for my 75 gallon mini-reef?
What kind of light system would I need for my 75 gallon mini-reef?
lights
- Thread starter jillian ayers
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jillian ayers
Member
Ok, when I first get the tank, all I want in there besides ls and lr and fish are feather dusters. The first thing I want to get as a coral is a bta for my clowns. Then I wanna start a mini-reef, maybe a coral here, a coral there... not sure. WHat are the first lights I should get for when I start out?
fshhub
Active Member
again, different creatures diffetrent needs, this means each coral has different needs form each other coral
as for he anemone, it is not a coral
they do need lots of lighting, but I would actually reccomend agaist them, they are not easy to keep for long. Infact, I reccomend against them even in most experienced hobbyists tanks. They are interesting andbeautiful, to say the least, but don't live long in most aquariums, adn they should live for decades and maybe even centuries.
And clowns do NOT need them to be hapy and healthy. Do not listen to an lfs about this most of them will sell you one anyways, even if they did know the facts.
Gor a 75 with your intentions, I would reccomend strip of 2 x 65 watt pcs(10, 000 kelvin) and 2 NO florescent lights with actinic bulbs, for most hings, except maybe clams which could need even more.
as for he anemone, it is not a coral
they do need lots of lighting, but I would actually reccomend agaist them, they are not easy to keep for long. Infact, I reccomend against them even in most experienced hobbyists tanks. They are interesting andbeautiful, to say the least, but don't live long in most aquariums, adn they should live for decades and maybe even centuries.
And clowns do NOT need them to be hapy and healthy. Do not listen to an lfs about this most of them will sell you one anyways, even if they did know the facts.
Gor a 75 with your intentions, I would reccomend strip of 2 x 65 watt pcs(10, 000 kelvin) and 2 NO florescent lights with actinic bulbs, for most hings, except maybe clams which could need even more.
T
thomas712
Guest
Jillian - Take the time to look up VHO lighting. I would go with nothing less than 4 bulbs and at least 380 watts if you want to try to keep anemonies. On a 4 foot tank you can purchase the retro kits with the bulbs that are only 46.5 inches long and with the endcaps they fit perfect at 48 inches. If you do use VHO then get the URI bulbs they are IMHO the best. 2- 50/50 and 2- 03's should do the trick.
Thomas
Thomas
jillian ayers
Member
Ok, I know I'm gonna sound REAL stupid here... but is it 380 watts all together (all 4 lights added up) or 380 watts each? Boy, I feel stupid and I haven't even posted it yet. Also, I wanted to add that after a few months I will be adding a blue linkia starfish. What kind of lighting does that require? I've checked it on the net but want to make sure from you guys.
Boy, I feel stupid and I haven't even posted it yet. Also, I wanted to add that after a few months I will be adding a blue linkia starfish. What kind of lighting does that require? I've checked it on the net but want to make sure from you guys. 
bdubbya
Member
Blue linkia starfish don't need any light, they are primarily a nocturnal animal. I have read a lot of Ophira's post about these guy's, and I have one as well. They are extremely difficult to keep in an aquarium for more than a year, and you can't spot feed them. I have had mine for about six months. I know it may sound hypocritical to tell you not to get one, but after mine does finally die I WILL NOT GET ANOTHER. There are many other stars that are easier to care for and will have a much better chance at survival in the aquarium. If you don't heed my advice be sure to have at least 100 pounds of live rock and prepare for the inevitable. HTH.
jillian ayers
Member
Bdubbya,
What would be a good starfish? The blue linkia is pretty, but I will not hurt a creature just for my own selfish pleasure. If it really is that fragile, I will not get one, if at all, until I have been in this hobby for quite aqhile and have a better idea of what I am doing. I like the chocolate chip, but from what I hear, they will kill anything they get their arms on. What are your suggestions? ANd thanx so much for the help, from everyone, I know I'm getting annoying with all my questions, but I want to be sure on everything before I do it.
What would be a good starfish? The blue linkia is pretty, but I will not hurt a creature just for my own selfish pleasure. If it really is that fragile, I will not get one, if at all, until I have been in this hobby for quite aqhile and have a better idea of what I am doing. I like the chocolate chip, but from what I hear, they will kill anything they get their arms on. What are your suggestions? ANd thanx so much for the help, from everyone, I know I'm getting annoying with all my questions, but I want to be sure on everything before I do it.
bdubbya
Member
I personally like serpent stars. Some people like brittles, but they can sometimes be preditors. So if you do get a brittle try to curb its appitite by spot feeding. Since you are contemplating corals later on I would recommed staying away from the knobby stars like the chocolate chip, they will eat corals. Well gotta go if you have more questions later I will be back. HTH.
T
thomas712
Guest
The thing about the blue linka's is DO NOT LET IT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE AIR. I have seen this before, sometimes they will even try to crawl out of an aquarium, when they get exposed to air they suffer a meltdown and it is nasty looking. Im not sure what the air does to them but like I said I have seen it. If you get one watch the LFS person carfully to make sure that they do not just pluck it out of the water and then into a bag or I would say it's all over for the linka.
Thomas
Thomas