starting up right (1 Viewer)

[ReefNoob]

Hi all,
just joined the forum as I'm starting up my reef tank.
I've kept freshwater for a long time but just had to do reef,everything seems so much more interesting.

Anyway,I just converted my freshwater 55gal(i.e. cleaned it good and filled it up with 40lbs of live sand and salt water from LFS).
Got an effective 440GPM turnover( magnetic drive model7) with a sump ( 5-6 gallons),single return, cycling around for 48hrs. Went with some bio-spira to get the basis covered.Next step is live rock.

Now,here's the question : what kind of light do you recommend given that I'm interested in putting a few corals/anemones in the long run,along with a few fishes/shrimps/snails etc ?

I looked at a great package( 442W total , 250 W MH + VHO compact actinic) that looks like this for $250 shipped.


Approx Fixture Size: 36"L x 15 1/4"W x 2 3/4"H

Output:
MH 250W x1.
96W straight pin power compact x2.
Lunar LED x4.

Feature:
Individual power cords & power switches for MH bulb, PC bulb, and lunar.
non-corrosive coated housing
built-in cooling fan
external HQI Controller
tempered glass splash guard
Mounting legs
Free Bulbs: 1x 250W double ended MH bulbs, 2x 96W straight pins Actinic 460nm bulbs, 4x Lunar LED bulb.
Is it overkill or adequate or should I spend my money on more powerheads and a skimmer?

Thanks in advance,

 

[i_am_poor]

That light sounds like something from Aquatraders. You will find that you will need powerheads in addition to your return flow. You cant go wrong with using T5 HO bulbs. I think there might be a TEK t5 fixture for sale on the board. That should allow you to keep softies on the bottom/ anemone/clam/etc.

 

[ReefNoob]

That light sounds like something from Aquatraders. You will find that you will need powerheads in addition to your return flow. You cant go wrong with using T5 HO bulbs. I think there might be a TEK t5 fixture for sale on the board. That should allow you to keep softies on the bottom/ anemone/clam/etc.

The light is actually right off *bay . I'm aware of heat dissipation issues with MH lights so I don't mind hearing back on other options; What's the good compromise between having a decent( read bright,vivid) light for the fishes while being able to grow "softies". Is the T5 HO better to grow sofites? Is it ok for fishes as well?

(checked the board but the T5 fixture is now gone!)

Thanks!

 

[MarkieB]

Some lighting is too cheap to sound right. This description and price raises an eyebrow! Good halide bulbs alone I think run 70-90 each. I don't run halides so I might be off. In general price relates to quality of the build and quality of the light output.

You want to buy the best light you can afford. If you get a good unit it will last many many years. If you get a cheap one you probably be replacing it soon!

Tek 5 is a very good fixture for T5. There is another comparable but the name escapes me right now. If you want halides I am out of that ballpark but I think some other experienced users can chime in on those.

The T5 will keep anything.
+ cost and little heat less electric , no burnt hands or fires
_ no shimmer in the tank so many people love

 

[Brad]

Assuming you have a standard 55 it is 4' long. Like Mark I don't use MH either so if someone corrects me I'll defer to them. I don't think 1 x 250 MH is enough for a 4' tank. Each MH is recommended for 2 feet in length of "spread". That will leave one foot on each side of your tank without direct light. Don't get me wrong, it won't be dark but there will not be direct light. Also, your one MH will probably be right over your center brace with will block a meaningful portion of your light. IMO to go MH you really need 2x250. Then you'll need a chiller to keep the water temp down.

Like Mark I use T5. There are many great T5 fixtures out there. Look for an electronic ballast and individual reflectors on each bulb. Almost every light manufacturer makes 48" fixtures. You can probably use anywhere from 4-6 bulbs depending on the price point you are looking for.

Do you have a hood over your tank? If so, you can buy a T5 DIY kit. Thats what I did and then installed everything in my hood (except for the ballast which is kept outside the hood to help keep heat down). T5 bulbs should be 4-6 inches off the water so that is usually about the height of the lights off the water once the sockets are hung from the hood's roof.

Many of our sponsors offer discounts for MARSH members so look around and see if the discoiunt they offer make it worth joining MARSH. On top of the discounts we have great meetings and events that you can meet other members at.

Now for the benefits I see in T5. Great light output, can keep almost any coral (some even keep lots of SPS), relatively lower heat output, lower electricity usage, lower overall cost than MH.

I agree with Mark that the price on the MH you were looking at sound too cheap to be true. It may have a magnetic ballast or very cheap bulbs or other components. I noticed it never told the K rating on the bulb. It could be a 6500k which will look very yellow and you'd end up replacing it with a 10 - 14K bulb. Also how were you going to fit a 36" fixture over a 48" tank (unless you have a 55 tall).

Hope that gives you more info. You can find tons of info on MH vs. T5 vs. VHO vs. PC here as well as on Reefcentral. RC is a national website with 1,000s of users.

 

[AquaNerd]

t5ho all the way. metal halide will cook a tank that small, especially if you are using 250 watt halides. if you really want halides, just go with 2 x 150, that should be more than enough.

 

[mpwolken]

Dude, you started up your system BEFORE asking the question about starting up your system!

I've got 5 - T5HO over a 72G bowfront with SPS/Clams in the sandbed.

Get a good protein skimmer, keep using RO/DI water, a bunch of live rock then sit back and wait a few months. You can use that time to save up for and research good lighting.

I've got an aquactinics TX5 and it is a VERY nice fixture. I'm thinking of getting their 72" constellation for my 180 and running a 3 x 150W sunpod with Radium 20Ks just for color!

 

[ReefNoob]

Thanks for all the answers,it seems that most of you agree on the T5 setup. I'll stick with your collective expertise and I shall be looking for a 48" T5 setup within the next few days.

As far as bulb go, do I have to setup actinic immediately to get softies going(anemones/polyps etc) or can should I set just 15k bulbs in that fixture.
I'm not planning on doing too much coral but frankly,I know I'll want to try at some point.

Thanks!

 

[mpwolken]

Remember that thing I mentioned about getting your live rock and waiting a few months? You are actually better off with ZERO lighting and lots of skimming while your live rock cures.

 

[ReefNoob]

Remember that thing I mentioned about getting your live rock and waiting a few months? You are actually better off with ZERO lighting and lots of skimming while your live rock cures.

Thanks for setting me straight
So the red spots(coralline ?) on the live rock I just got from an established tank will not disappear? I'd hate to see these nice rocks go white because of light deprivation...

Shall I get some clean up crew( starfish/ snails etc) in the meantime?
I have to have something to look at !

 

[Guest]

Hello Reefnoob, I just met you earlier picking up that live rock. You may want to light it up so you can keep that corraline. I just put that live rock we got in my 54g corner. It looked great. Good luck with your choices.

Fishhead

 

[AquaNerd]

lighting is actually not that important to coralline algae growth. i've noticed, in my three tanks, that coralline grows in high flow areas, regardless of light levels in that area. they also grow better when the tank water has decent alkalinity. with appropriate flow and proper alkalinity your coralline should grow without any problems.

 

[mpwolken]

Shall I get some clean up crew( starfish/ snails etc) in the meantime?
I have to have something to look at !

http://images.google.com/images?q=coral+reef&gbv=2&hl=en&sa=G&imgsz=huge

 

[Guest]

So is your tank 48" or 36"?

I personally prefer the look that MH gives off but agree t5's work just as good without the shimmering.

 

[ReefNoob]

So is your tank 48" or 36"?

I personally prefer the look that MH gives off but agree t5's work just as good without the shimmering.

My tank is 4' long.Based on this discussion,I think I'll start with T5 just because it seems like a widely accepted robust,lower maintenance solution.I know I'll miss the shimer but that's OK(for now 8) )

mpwolken,good one! That's why I'm going 2 weeks scuba diving in HI in a few weeks. I wish I could bring stuff back by the way...

 

[decimal]

i am mh too. i have a t5 setup on one tank and mh/actinic on the other and mh lights rock. i agree about the operational drawbacks (heat being the main one) but i will gladly pay a few extra bucks on my electric bill to keep the look of MH. its alot more natural and well, the shimmer speaks for itself.