How much light do I need

lucky_snapper · 06/03/2011, 10:27 AM

I am new to reef tanks and I am in the process of setting up a new 210 oceanic Reef Ready tank that I just bought. If I am going to keep inverts, some corals, and fish how much lighting do I need ? Is there a certin amount of watts that I need to run? I like T-5 and LED set ups and was thinking about getting 2 36in set ups but I really have no Idea where to start. I am not a big fan of metal Halide because of the heat that they give off and I really dont want to have to run a chiller... So come on reefers point me in the right direction....

Tank dimensions are 72x24x30 ..

Also I'm looking for deals so...

Bedroomgangsta · 06/03/2011, 10:36 AM

At 30" tall and 24" wide your probably going to want at least a 6-8 bulb fixture and they do make 72" fixtures but they would be very costly. If you could find two 36" 6 bulb fixtures and put them fairly close to the water or put the corals mostly toward the middle or upper area of the DT then you should be fine. http://www.aquasythe.com/Products/TE...L-T5-36-6.aspx here are some TEK 6 bulb by 39w each fixtures that you could look into. Ive heard they have great reviews and etc... with two of those you would be running 468W total and depending on the corals you want I would think that would be more then efficient.

mjwz06 · 06/03/2011, 11:04 AM

Have you decided what types of coral you will be keeping (softies, LPS, SPS, etc)? This will affect your lighting requirements (as well as your other equipment).

alton · 06/03/2011, 11:29 AM

With a quality fixture you may get by with a 60" 8 x 80 watt fixture.

06/03/2011, 10:27 AM	#1
lucky_snapper Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Destin FL Posts: 344	How much light do I need I am new to reef tanks and I am in the process of setting up a new 210 oceanic Reef Ready tank that I just bought. If I am going to keep inverts, some corals, and fish how much lighting do I need ? Is there a certin amount of watts that I need to run? I like T-5 and LED set ups and was thinking about getting 2 36in set ups but I really have no Idea where to start. I am not a big fan of metal Halide because of the heat that they give off and I really dont want to have to run a chiller... So come on reefers point me in the right direction.... Tank dimensions are 72x24x30 .. Also I'm looking for deals so...

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06/03/2011, 10:36 AM	#2
Bedroomgangsta Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 337	At 30" tall and 24" wide your probably going to want at least a 6-8 bulb fixture and they do make 72" fixtures but they would be very costly. If you could find two 36" 6 bulb fixtures and put them fairly close to the water or put the corals mostly toward the middle or upper area of the DT then you should be fine. http://www.aquasythe.com/Products/TE...L-T5-36-6.aspx here are some TEK 6 bulb by 39w each fixtures that you could look into. Ive heard they have great reviews and etc... with two of those you would be running 468W total and depending on the corals you want I would think that would be more then efficient.

06/03/2011, 11:04 AM	#3
mjwz06 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ledgewood, NJ Posts: 96	Have you decided what types of coral you will be keeping (softies, LPS, SPS, etc)? This will affect your lighting requirements (as well as your other equipment).

06/03/2011, 11:29 AM	#4
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	With a quality fixture you may get by with a 60" 8 x 80 watt fixture.