Reef lights

[alane67]

me again :jumping:
I started reading online about reefs etc. (I haven't finished yet)
My major concern is lighting, well even for fish only. I am redoing my master suite and put the aquarium in there, so on my bad days, I could listen to the soft sounds etc while lying down. So far, I have not moved all of my furniture down there, so have not spent a lot of time down there, except to look at the damsels everyday and give them a feed.
My question:
Can reef bulbs be put into my regular ballast? Do they flicker bad?
I know fluorescents are a BIG trigger to my seizures. Most people don't know they flicker anyway, so fast the normal eye is not bothered, but for me, BAM on the ground I go and flop like a fish out of water...pun intended...lol
I am not sure how aquarium lighting will go for me, the only times I have had bad experiences with fluro is in a room that is lighted by it. I hope once I move down there, it will not be a problem, but I could always cut the lights off at early eve.
Any suggestions on lighting if I go reef? Will it fit my current ballast?
I have cc substrate is that ok for reef?
Alane (who hopes she hasn't written checks her body can't cash)

 

[dragonzim]

If you are at all concerned about fluorescents affecting your medical condition I wouldnt use them. If you really want a reef, go with Metal Halides. They are more expensive than T5 fluorescents, but if your health is involved, its better to be safe than sorry!!!

 

[xcdennisx]

i would get rid of the cc cause all it will do is make ur nitrates high and keep it all in the cc and eventally make ur tank a disaster unless u clean ur cc all the time. i would switch to sand.

 

[alane67]

Yeah, I have never had any problems except while in a room, but that is the most experience I have had with. I don't mind the exra $$
do they make them to fit into a regular ballast, or will I need to buy another one.
Alane
Originally Posted by DragonZim
If you are at all concerned about fluorescents affecting your medical condition I wouldnt use them. If you really want a reef, go with Metal Halides. They are more expensive than T5 fluorescents, but if your health is involved, its better to be safe than sorry!!!

 

[walmart]

i have cf and they dont fliker at all. but this is my first set up and i got it for 75 bucks and gives me enough light to do lps,leathers,anemones,softies.
i got it at a store closing down.
but i dont like MH the bulbs are like 80 bucks for each one. but IMO i would go with t5's.

 

[alane67]

Thanks, I will discuss that with the maintenance guy to see whether the schedule I have is adequet, or wheher I need to be doing changed in between as well. also have a very thin layer of substrate, but yall talked me into that live rock..lol
Stace
Originally Posted by xcdennisx
i would get rid of the cc cause all it will do is make ur nitrates high and keep it all in the cc and eventally make ur tank a disaster unless u clean ur cc all the time. i would switch to sand.

 

[alane67]

I went down and spent a LOT of time looking at my aquarium (hubby was here who is cpr cert) I have a full canopy and the flicker did not bother me, but it was daylight. Do the T5's fit regular ballast, or should I buy a new complte light system?
Sorry for all of the stupid questions

. I did order 3 books today, so hopefully my questions will start being shorter...lol
what are MH?
Thanks bunches!
Stace
Originally Posted by walmart
i have cf and they dont fliker at all. but this is my first set up and i got it for 75 bucks and gives me enough light to do lps,leathers,anemones,softies.
i got it at a store closing down.
but i dont like MH the bulbs are like 80 bucks for each one. but IMO i would go with t5's.