looking for some help !

[lm]

I have two striplights over my tank ( 75 ); first one is a twin tube with 2-40 watt blue actinics and the second is a high output compact fluorescent ( 110 watts-9325 degree kelvin color temp ). I am told this is not enough for a possible reef tank. Can anyone help me out here as to what to do to up grade my lighting. I really like my strip lights and want to use them with different bulbs if possible?? and enclose them in a canopy eventually. I would really like specifics as far as what model #'s,size and brand names that would fit my needs.

 

[quazi]

a 75 gallon tank needs at least 440 watts of light if you want to grow sps, lps and most softies.
There are strips/hoods out there that will get you there, although they are expensive. That is why most people build their own hoods, and add a retro-fit PC or VHO, or MH.
check out http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/ if you are looking for a ready-made hood.
good luck!

 

[broomer5]

LM,
One key part of your question is the phase "possible reef tank".
Choice in lighting, although it can be very confusing sometimes, boils down to a couple of questions.
What do you plan to keep in this 75 gallon tank ?
What do you not plan to keep in this tank NOW, but may decide to keep later down the road ?
Once you know this - the lighting game becomes less difficult.
You have 190 watts of mixed pc and n.o. - that may let you keep some shrooms or softies - but I agree that they probably will not thrive in that set up. They may live - but you may not see much growth.
I kept mushrooms, soft corals/leathers and some LPS under 260 watts of power compact lighting in my 55 tank. I used this same light fixture over my 75 gallon tank - and the corals I have did fine.
That's because I didn't keep sps or clams or most any other higher light loving corals in either of these tanks. I was not able to light the entire 75 tank front to back with this set up. Just not enough light intensity to do so. It worked very well in the 55 though.
Lamp spacing in the "hood" just prevented the light from reaching the entire 75 gallon tank.
The anemone needs more light - and I wanted to get into sps - so I decided to upgrade.
So ......... it's best to decide what you want to keep now and later on.
Then - you have many choices to choose from -and it becomes little easier to decide.

 

[lm]

Broomer, This tank will be set up this Winter and I am trying to get all my equipment together now so when the time comes I will be ready. I plan on starting out live rock with fish then eventually have the option to go full blown reef. I want to start out right the first time so I am looking for advise as to what to do with what I have or how to up grade so I can have this option. Please be product specific as I stated this can be very confusing. TIA

 

[foulbrew]

Lighting is a confusing topic and important. Fortunately you have plenty of time to research, take it. The lighting you have will work fine for a fish only. The corraline on the live rock will grow nicely under these lights (assuming water conditions are favorable) and they will even allow you to dabble with mushrooms (and possibly some other softies). The lighting decision is an expensive one and even more so if you make a poor or uninformed decision. Only you can weigh the differences, cost and effort each option offers. Good luck.

 

[broomer5]

I'll tell ya what LM - make a deal with you.
I'll post a couple of links here for you to read through at your leisure.
After you read these - come on back and we as a group can talk.
There are some very sharp people that visit this board, especially with regards to lighting.
I'm probably not that person, I've just gone through the lighting upgrade - but I still have a lot to learn.
If I just tell what I think is best - you may miss out on some really good information that is available out on the net. Plus other folks opinions and experince too.
I just recently went through what you're going through - it can be confusing - but I think you'll be more prepared to make a decision once you read through this stuff.
If you don't want to read it - that's cool too.
Harker
Lighting