What kind of lighting do I really need...

Look at Nugios avatar.. he has his new hood on his tank.

 

The reflector and socket here. you need to add a MH bulb.

Plus the ice cap eballast

If you use these types you will need to build a hood or canopy above your tank. Then mount them in place. You can also use the lights that hang above your tank but alot of the light is lost due to no enclosure.

Any clearer now?

 

sent you some pics by way of e-mail, could not add them on in here for some reason. hope that is OK?

 

Hello tinydove! these guys know their stuff.
just decide what u want to keep in your tank then we can help you decide the right lighting for it [smiley=laughingsmiley.gif]

 

If you click the reply button on the bottom of the page you will get more options.... one is browse so you can add your photos.

 

If you click the reply button on the bottom of the page you will get more options.... one is browse so you can add your photos.

 

If you click the reply button on the bottom of the page you will get more options.... one is browse so you can add your photos.

 

Hello. I have a 55 Gal. Reef tank, I use the Coralife 4x65watt retro-fit kit. This is (4) 65 watt power compact bulbs a total of 260watts and is 48" long. 2- actinics 2- 10,000k daylights. It is "retro-fit" meaning it can be mounting to your canopy lid. It comes complete with ballasts and everything. I paid $250.00 for mine and it gives me 4.7 watts per gallon, 4-5 is ideal. (check the price on those MH lights. Plus they need to be hung from the ceiling and all that jazz.) I havent had a problem with insufficent light and its mounted under my lid.
I hope you find this useful before you spend more than you have too.

 

That's a good price!!

Definitely something to think about for the PCers out there.

THanks for joining!

 

[quote author=williamstljz530 link=board=Newbie;num=1077367476;start=15#17 date=02/22/04 at 13:10:02] Hello. I have a 55 Gal. Reef tank, I use the Coralife 4x65watt  retro-fit kit. This is (4) 65 watt power compact bulbs a total of 260watts and is 48" long. 2- actinics   2- 10,000k daylights. It is "retro-fit" meaning it can be mounting to your canopy lid.  It comes complete with ballasts and everything. I paid $250.00 for mine and it gives me 4.7 watts per gallon, 4-5 is ideal.  (check the price on those MH lights. Plus they need to be hung from the ceiling and all that jazz.) I havent had a problem with insufficent light and its mounted under my lid.
I hope you find this useful before you spend more than you have too. [/quote]

The issue would be she has no hood or canopy to use a retro fit. If she did I would recommend VHO over PC lights. But If I started over and may be getting some in the future nothing can beat the eballast MH light.

IMO MH a better color with bulbs and we could go on from there but it is already documented by Matt under lighting forum.

By all means please search champion lights and hello lights and several others to get a bearing on the cost.

The light Dove has right now will not work on a reef tank as the are only 15 watts. They will work on a fresh water tank for plants etc...

You must think first what kind of corals you need to keep so we can cover any issues with lights.
If you decide on going with MH (retro, hanging, or just reflector type) then you will need to build a hood or canopy for your aquarium.