Reef Lighting Newbie Inquiry

jiggamanx · 08/02/2011, 05:28 PM

I bought a drilled 75 gal long oceanic aquarium which came with glass top and reef lighting for an amazing bargain! It was previously used for SW.

My intention is to make this an african cichlid tank however I'm curious if I'll be able to use the lighting. I'm entirely clueless and I'm in desperate need of some help!

The empty socket reads 4KV Pulse Rated and had 5500 written on the clear bulb. The blue lights have 4 pins and are 96 watts.

I have attached some pictures so someone could see what I'm talking about.

I sincerely apologize as this whole post may seem stupid but I just don't understand and my LFS isn't much help either.

Can I use these or am I better off selling them?

heritage · 08/02/2011, 05:51 PM

I'm not an expert when it comes to African cichlid but I don't see why not, they do not need any kind of special lighting.

javajaws · 08/02/2011, 05:57 PM

I'm not too familiar with freshwater tanks and don't know if you plan on making it a planted tank or not. But that light fixture has 2 power compact (PC) bulbs and 2 metal halide (MH) bulbs in it. I'm not sure what the wattage of the MHs are - probably either 175w or 250w each.

Most PLANTED freshwater tanks you don't want above 3 or so watts/gallon. Perhaps even less. And even then that's assuming you run CO2 and dose fertilizers to reduce algae. You could probably get by with just running the 2 PCs and don't use the MHs.

If the tank won't be planted then even those 2 PCs might be too much.

At either rate, all of the bulbs in there now will need to be replaced with ones that have a more appropriate color temperature for freshwater.

papagimp · 08/02/2011, 06:03 PM

Lighting will probably be way overkill, the cichlids won't care. You could probably just replace the PC bulbs with something better suited color wise and forget you even have the MH bulbs their. Although the halides give a nice shimmer to the water

Could always look around for some Cichlid safe plants native to their area that require higher lighting, since you'll have it with that light.

You could also try to sell them, as thats not to shabby a light fixture for a reef tank, and use that money to help fund your cichlid project.

jiggamanx · 08/02/2011, 06:05 PM

So basically I'm better off buying another light fixture for my aquarium. I'm definitely not having plants as cichlids will destroy them lol

Crkbaby · 08/02/2011, 08:31 PM

if you wanted to get some decent lighting you can just get some led stunner strips for a nice shimmer effect or regular floresents are fine for cichlids

08/02/2011, 05:57 PM	#3
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	I'm not too familiar with freshwater tanks and don't know if you plan on making it a planted tank or not. But that light fixture has 2 power compact (PC) bulbs and 2 metal halide (MH) bulbs in it. I'm not sure what the wattage of the MHs are - probably either 175w or 250w each. Most PLANTED freshwater tanks you don't want above 3 or so watts/gallon. Perhaps even less. And even then that's assuming you run CO2 and dose fertilizers to reduce algae. You could probably get by with just running the 2 PCs and don't use the MHs. If the tank won't be planted then even those 2 PCs might be too much. At either rate, all of the bulbs in there now will need to be replaced with ones that have a more appropriate color temperature for freshwater. __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

08/02/2011, 06:03 PM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Lighting will probably be way overkill, the cichlids won't care. You could probably just replace the PC bulbs with something better suited color wise and forget you even have the MH bulbs their. Although the halides give a nice shimmer to the water Could always look around for some Cichlid safe plants native to their area that require higher lighting, since you'll have it with that light. You could also try to sell them, as thats not to shabby a light fixture for a reef tank, and use that money to help fund your cichlid project. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

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08/02/2011, 05:51 PM	#2
heritage Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: PHILLY Posts: 561	I'm not an expert when it comes to African cichlid but I don't see why not, they do not need any kind of special lighting.

08/02/2011, 06:05 PM	#5
jiggamanx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 2	So basically I'm better off buying another light fixture for my aquarium. I'm definitely not having plants as cichlids will destroy them lol

08/02/2011, 08:31 PM	#6
Crkbaby Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 422	if you wanted to get some decent lighting you can just get some led stunner strips for a nice shimmer effect or regular floresents are fine for cichlids