What kind of light for Live Rock

[ashbow13]

I've been getting different feed back from people on the sight and several LFS in my town. Some are telling me to get a light to grow around 20-25 punds of Live Rock in my tank while others are not. But I think I'm going to just go ahead and get a light. Now what type of light do I need to get? I'm going to try and get a light on ----. I would like to not spend so much on a light, but I might have to. Any feedback would be appericated! Thanks!

 

[doodle1800]

What size tank do you have?
Try looking for a Coral Life light. They have dual bulbs - blue actininc and 10k in one fixture and its reasonably priced in my opinion. A good started light for LR.
Do a search on google for corallife and pick first entry - aquarium lights.

 

[drakken]

I depends on what else you want to keep. LR doesn't require light b ut things like corals do.

 

[doodle1800]

Rocks do not require light - true, but in order for anything "live" on that rock to sprout it will need the appropriate light.

 

[royalshrimp]

Originally posted by doodle1800
Rocks do not require light - true, but in order for anything "live" on that rock to sprout it will need the appropriate light.
i agree:yes:

 

[drakken]

Originally posted by doodle1800
Rocks do not require light - true, but in order for anything "live" on that rock to sprout it will need the appropriate light.
That is true but depending on what else Ashbow13 wants to keep will determine what kind of lighting to get.

 

[doodle1800]

And I'll agree with that also. :yes:

 

[ashbow13]

I have a 75 gallon tank. Doodle1800 I did a search on google by puttin gin corlalife and the sites didn't seem to reliable. Also it doesn't give much infomation about the light itslef. I do want to keep other stuff besides LR, like corals.

 

[drakken]

Originally posted by Ashbow13
I do want to keep other stuff besides LR, like corals.
Ok, now you have to decide what kind of corals you want to keep. :yes: Hard corals? Soft corals? Clams? SPS? LPS?
Seriously, lighting can drive you nuts. What are you thinking about keeping?

 

[ashbow13]

I would like to keep soft, hard, and clams. But I also want to go the fairly cheap route. I don't have the money to spend hundreds of dollars on lighting. I would rather invest that in the fish, corals, and live rock. But I also want to make sure I get proper lighting that will keep the things alive.
I've been research and coming across these types of lighting. Lighitng (Metal Halide)
LIghting (Misc)
Lighting Power Compact)
Lighitng (VHO & T-5)
Whats the differnce between them all?

 

[technik]

MH can keep everything, but expensive.
VHO and PCs can keep corals, but not recommended for SPS and maxima clams.
I went the cheap route before and ended up spending more on better lighting. It is better to do it right the first time around and save $$ in the long run.

 

[doodle1800]

Originally posted by Ashbow13
I would like to keep soft, hard, and clams.
I believe with all of the above you're going to spend some $$. If it were just softs then a pc light would be fine. What size tank do you have?

 

[ashbow13]

I have a 75 gallon tank!

 

[drakken]

Originally posted by Ashbow13
I have a 75 gallon tank!
You will want a fixture that puts out at least 300 watts. There are lots of options so do some searches and look around. Plan on spending at least $250.