Newbie needs help with lighting

twinclan

Member
HELP
I feel kinda like I am drowning in advice from so many people and don't know quite what to do. I am thinking about upgrading from a FOWLR to a reef tank and I need help in picking out my lighting. I don't think I can afford MH and not sure if I want to. Any suggestions on some medium lighting for some of the corals?? I am looking for something under 150? if possible. I don't know about some of the things I see on ---- if they are worth it or not. Anyone got any suggestions?? Thanks!!
 

gordruls

Member
I started out with the power compact lights and two months later I am moving over to MH so I can have some hard corals..It's up to you but if you think you would like to move up at some point to hard corals it's much better to spend the money now then later...I have a 150 gal tank with 3 36" pc lights and 1 MH light now I am going to purchase another MH and give one of my 36" to my son.
 

r22wink

Member
with that tank, a single HQI metal halide 250 watt light would work nicely. those arent too bad in price. other then that you can get some Power Compact to bout 200-250 watts. I would strongly sugg. spending alittle more for the MH, in the long run u will be much happier..
 

twinclan

Member
Any ideas on buying online from an auction site?? I was looking at something for $110 that is pc 192 watt Odyssea. It says it has 2 96 watt bulbs and 3 lunar lights. Any ideas from anyone? I really don't have the funds to go MH at this time unless I want a quick divorce. I can't do a pendant light because tank is set by staircase with 2nd story ceiling above. I am just feeling so lost. All of the LFS in town have different theories about everything else and they want to SELL me whatever they think they can. I just want something to work well with some soft corals that are easy to keep. I have a 36" light strip with a 46 gal bowfront. Thanks for all your help!!!!
 

devaji108

Member
Originally Posted by twinclan
Any ideas on buying online from an auction site?? I was looking at something for $110 that is pc 192 watt Odyssea. It says it has 2 96 watt bulbs and 3 lunar lights. Any ideas from anyone? I really don't have the funds to go MH at this time unless I want a quick divorce. I can't do a pendant light because tank is set by staircase with 2nd story ceiling above. I am just feeling so lost. All of the LFS in town have different theories about everything else and they want to SELL me whatever they think they can. I just want something to work well with some soft corals that are easy to keep. I have a 36" light strip with a 46 gal bowfront. Thanks for all your help!!!!
I bought a 48"odyssea 2x 65W 1o,000k & 2x 65W act. W/ 3 lunar bulbs off of "the"auctoin site.
and I am very pleased with it. just make sure you check out there feed back!!
however I am in the same boat I am thinking a bout upgrading to MH lighting so I can have an anenome.
plain for the long run will save you $$
if I had more info when I got my light I would have spent the $$ to buy MH lighting.
however your pc will do alot thay are good lights for the $
good luck!
 

turningtim

Active Member
the odyssea light works well for me and I got on the famous auction site. I have softies and some stonies and all seems well. I like it and it's well worth the cash but I'm with everybody else I'm now looking at MH lighting 6 monthes later. So the light your looking at will work well and do some corals but be aware you'll want more/better light in the near future.
 
Top