can I still use these lights?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by lmajor32, Jun 1, 2006.

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  1. morejongg

    morejongg Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2006
    Messages:
    59
    I really like how you have it built into the wall.
    The only thing I would worry about with increased lighting would
    be the heat factor.Do you have any way to vent the heat away from
    the light hood? Fan ? / Chiller?
    You can keep the puffer and trigger with live rock only,but I think they would
    both do a number on any corals,snails for clean up,etc. I think you will have to decide between your current fish and a reef tank.
    You would also need more circulation (water movement)in your tank,couple of
    power heads would help.
    There are no stupid questions.
    Everyone else started out as a newbie too.
    Some have just forgotten.
    Hope this helps.
     
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  3. BristleWorm

    BristleWorm Plankton

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
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    Location:
    Cerritos CA
    Yeah its pretty creative however theres too many negatives to fix with ventalating the hood if you get MH, and having room for a sum/skimmer/refugium. You probably should pretty much just put it on a stand and start from there because you don't have any room.
     
  4. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

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    be careful in regards to temperature in that tight area with the lighting you use~~~~~~!!!!
     
  5. geoxman

    geoxman Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    May 15, 2005
    Messages:
    82
    Incredible craftmanship in that unit! With your tight space I would do a T5 setup. You can keep any coral you wish under them and they do not run hot. Do a search here or on RC about them and you will be reading for days. Good luck
     
  6. lmajor32

    lmajor32 Astrea Snail

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    May 29, 2006
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    Thanks. Here are some pics with the skimmer in place. It is already spitting out bad stuff! I have it pulling water out of the rear area and dumping back into it, just in the next chamber over...it worlked out really well. I also have powerheads and the tank itself has a return for the water along the bottom and rioght siode for circulation.

    If I go T5 and keep the top open about 3 inches most of the time with some fans do you think I will be ok? I was thinking about maybe somehow builing the vents into the door, or possibly venting up into the attic.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2006
  7. geoxman

    geoxman Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
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    a t5 will run a little hotter than a NO unit-so you are good to go! Get some LR and you will be on your way. Feel free to PM me with your # and I can give you a buzz if you might have any other ?-good luck!
    Those fake plants should be put in a beta tank!!!!!!!! Or one with a treasure air bubble chest!!-JMHO
     
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  9. lmajor32

    lmajor32 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    May 29, 2006
    Messages:
    62
    LOL, that is too funny. That is what I told my wife about the plants.

    I went and bought 48 pounds of cured live rock at $3 per pound. Didn't seem like a bad deal since it was the same as the uncured rock in a box from the other store and I got to pick the pieces I liked. Did the smell test. I think I will buy another 40 pounds or so. Would you suggest a differnt type for the other 40#?

    Now all I need are lights and I was thinking about getting these tomorrow since they are local socal and I can pick them up and save shipping at least.

    http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104068.html

    What do you think of those lights and price?

    Updated pics below. Thnks for all the help. If I need help I will send #. Thanks

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104068.html
     
  10. Diver_1298

    Diver_1298 Eyelash Blennie

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    It's hard to go wrong with the t5 ho bulbs. Once your tank settles down and matures a little. Then you could start adding some corals to compliment your fish.

    Jim
     
  11. rickzter

    rickzter Torch Coral

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    lmajor, to give you a good idea of where you should be, lighting-wise, try calculating the watts per gallon with a lighting setup you are interested in. For a 75g, you should be at around 5-6wpg for a healthy system. If keeping softies, they will absolutely love that wattage range. I'm borderline 6wpg and all my stonies are doing great. Softies will need about 4wpg+.
     
  12. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

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    You need to decide what types of corals you want to keep. Some of the Blue/purple etc. acroporas and many Montipora's like Denae(superman) require very intense lighting to keep the vivid colors. On the most part though, with 5-7 watts per gallon of light, you can keep almost anything.