Lighting the final straw. Everyone read.

TinFury · 08-24-2006, 04:11 PM

I'm new to this hobby and I'm SOOOOO sick

of trying to figure out what lights to buy. I know that the watts per gallon thing doesn't work out but noone can really simplify the correct system it seems. I think what the more experienced players are trying to say is that the best way to choose lighting is by past experiences. But noobs like myself don't have any experience!!!!! So what do do? I have an idea!

Everyone with a tank that runs well for lets say over 6 mnths. Post here....
1. Tank Gallons
2. Tank Depth
3. Tank Type (FOWLR, Reef, SPS)
4. EXACTLY What Lights you have. Wattage, brand, light types and temp etc.
5. Post a short note on what you think of your light setup. eg. underpowered, too much, too blue, whatever.

Hopefully us noobs will be able to learn by example and make the right decision this way. If there is anything I've left out thats important will someone knowledgeble please point it out before people start posting.

Diver_1298 · 08-24-2006, 05:41 PM

What do you want to keep in your tank? And what are the dimensions of your tank? When you answer those questions, any number of experienced and or knowledgeable people can recomend a lighting setup for you

You are going to get a hundred different setups from a hundred different people. with this type of question, but chances are if you answer the questions above you will get better answers.

Jim

Edit: see my sig for my setup.

Bruce · 08-24-2006, 05:43 PM

One quick question. Do you already have a tank?

Well lets see...

1. 55 gallons

2. 18 Inches

3. Reef w/ SPS

4. 4-Bulb Tek-Light T-5HO System.
1x 54W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
1x 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
2x 54W Actinic Plus T5 HO Fluorescent

5. I think these lights are great.

I upgraded from PC and wow, what a difference, all of my SPS are thriving and everything in the tank looks better.

One thing i am going to do is replace the 6500k with another 11000k. I feel that although the 6500k is the PAR king...its just not worth all the algae it brings.

Reef Lover · 08-25-2006, 04:53 AM

Bruce,
You went from 260w PC lights to 216w T-5 lights. I thought the more watts the better. I need to replace my light soon. Salt got into endcaps and its corroding. I was think about getting T-5.

jtReef · 08-25-2006, 05:40 AM

75 gal reef. Quad Satellite Fixture that is 4 56wat bulbs I believe. That is 24in deep.
Has been 1.5 yrs and everything is perfect. Can't do most SPS's so will be upgrading to a 150 or 180gal with 3 250w metal halides. Hamilton
46gal FOWR. Just using the crappy florescent it came with and having no issues. In a FOWR tank lighting wattage is not important. You just need enough that when they go off the fish need to know it is time to sleep.

Pisces23 · 08-25-2006, 06:50 AM

I hear what you're saying about lights being a confusing and frustrating aspect of this hobby (not to mention expensive). But as a far more experienced reefer above said, having a clear idea of the size and type of tank you're planning on setting up can also be very helpful.
That being said, here's my info (see my signature for more details):

1.) 20 Gallons (high)
2.) 16.5 inches deep (though there's the DSB and the LR to figure in)
3.) Reef
4.) 65W 50/50 (Coralife Aqualight), 15W Actinic (Coral Sun 420)
5.) I'm not trying to do anything extreme with my reef yet. My GSP and BTA are very happy under these lights.

Good luck!

90_Berlin_joe · 08-25-2006, 07:15 AM

1) 90gal All Glass
2) 24" deep
3) Reef (mostly softies but starting to add in SPS and LPS oh yeah and some clams
4) TEK T5-HO 8bulb 8x54
4x 54W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
2x 54W Pure Actinic(purple) T5 HO Fluorescent
2x 54W Actinic Plus (Blue)T5 HO Fluorescent
5) The TEK from Sunlight Supply is a great unit coming from a PC. Alot of light easy to maintain, the bulbs last forever and not that expensive. The nice thing in having multiple bulbs is that you can really dial in the look of your tank. Bluer, whiter or just in the middle.

I would have to suggest the TEK lighting to any newbie or even expert in the field.

APC · 08-25-2006, 08:12 AM

I have the coralife aqualight pro. Have had it for over a year now. Its great. It has MH, Actinic, and moon lights built into it. It comes with the ballast, multiple switches, etc. All you have to do is hook it up to a timer and you are good to go. It will support a variety of corals, fish etc. Some may argue it is not the best light out there...but its one stop shopping, my reef is doing great, and its freaking easy. :-)

Jason McKenzie · 08-25-2006, 09:12 AM

1. Tank Gallons 75G
2. Tank Depth 20"
3. Tank Type (FOWLR, Reef, SPS)SPS,LPS
4. EXACTLY What Lights you have. Wattage, brand, light types and temp etc.PFO Pro Hood 2X250W 10K XM bulbs. 2X110W VHO Actinics
5. Post a short note on what you think of your light setup. eg. underpowered, too much, too blue, whatever.perfect

Lighting has more to do with what you want to keep rather than what the majority as doing.

TANK 2
1. Tank Gallons 370G
2. Tank Depth 30"
3. Tank Type (FOWLR, Reef, SPS)SPS,LPS
4. EXACTLY What Lights you have. Wattage, brand, light types and temp etc.3X400W 10K XM bulbs Luminarc reflextors and blueline E-ballast. 8X36w T5 Actinics
5. Post a short note on what you think of your light setup. eg. underpowered, too much, too blue, whatever.I am finding the 10K 400W XM bulbs are too yellow when fired on the e-ballast.

TinFury · 08-25-2006, 11:49 AM

I don't have a tank yet. I'm thinking about getting a 75Gallon 48x18x20 tank and want to be able to keep everything

I live in Jamaica and it's a little hot here. I think I can get by without a chiller if I don't use Metal Hylides. I'm thinking of a T5 setup but I don't know how many lights I'd need and what tempratures.