New at the hobby and needing help

jake bolander · 08/14/2007, 07:43 AM

I have a 20 gallon long tank. Looking to get the right lighting to grow. I dont know what is over kill or not. Not wanting to spend a whole lot but can any one tell me where i can get lights cheap and what type of lights i need.

Entropy · 08/14/2007, 08:03 AM

To Reef Central

what do you want to keep?

jake bolander · 08/14/2007, 08:47 AM

Not quite sure just some coral and some fish but im wanting to get a light that will make the coral grow and i think there called enemas (?). My friend is hard core into this stuff and im 3 days into it so i know jack **** bout this.

Entropy · 08/14/2007, 08:58 AM

I would do a ton of research then and figure out what you want to keep and what it requires before spending any money. No point in getting stuff you will end up not wanting/needing. That is a quick way to sour your experience in the hobby.

Tennsquire · 08/14/2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Entropy
I would do a ton of research then and figure out what you want to keep and what it requires before spending any money. No point in getting stuff you will end up not wanting/needing. That is a quick way to sour your experience in the hobby.

Good advice, indeed. I would add that you should buy equipment with an eye toward updrading in the future. If you get bitten by the bug (and you will), a bigger tank is only a matter of time....

Entropy · 08/14/2007, 09:38 AM

Don't be afraid to look at used stuff as well. If you start small, there are a ton of people that as Tennsquire mentioned "got bitten by the bug" and are upgrading to bigger stuff. Most of the time equipment can be had for 1/2 price or less.

jake bolander · 08/14/2007, 10:21 AM

where would i go to find good used equipment? is there somewhere on reef central? Or any suggested web sites?

luke33 · 08/14/2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jake bolander
Not quite sure just some coral and some fish but im wanting to get a light that will make the coral grow and i think there called enemas (?). My friend is hard core into this stuff and im 3 days into it so i know jack **** bout this.

WOW, that light sounds like it would hurt!!! lol, anyhow if you have a 24" length tank some t5's would work well for you. Or one MH'd would work as well. For cheap, like suggested the used forum is great for that.

Tennsquire · 08/14/2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jake bolander
where would i go to find good used equipment? is there somewhere on reef central? Or any suggested web sites?

Yup....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...p?s=&forumid=2

cgib831 · 08/14/2007, 01:08 PM

20g long is pretty shallow right? Don't really need any crazy lighting to grow corals. You can probably find some compact flourescants cheap. drsfostersmith.com or thatpetplace.com have good prices

dhnguyen · 08/14/2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luke33
WOW, that light sounds like it would hurt!!! lol, anyhow if you have a 24" length tank some t5's would work well for you. Or one MH'd would work as well. For cheap, like suggested the used forum is great for that.

Thanks Luke I needed that

08/14/2007, 07:43 AM	#1
jake bolander Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	New at the hobby and needing help I have a 20 gallon long tank. Looking to get the right lighting to grow. I dont know what is over kill or not. Not wanting to spend a whole lot but can any one tell me where i can get lights cheap and what type of lights i need.

08/14/2007, 08:03 AM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	*To Reef Central* what do you want to keep? __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

08/14/2007, 08:58 AM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I would do a ton of research then and figure out what you want to keep and what it requires before spending any money. No point in getting stuff you will end up not wanting/needing. That is a quick way to sour your experience in the hobby. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

08/14/2007, 09:38 AM	#6
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Don't be afraid to look at used stuff as well. If you start small, there are a ton of people that as Tennsquire mentioned "got bitten by the bug" and are upgrading to bigger stuff. Most of the time equipment can be had for 1/2 price or less. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

08/14/2007, 01:08 PM	#10
cgib831 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 143	20g long is pretty shallow right? Don't really need any crazy lighting to grow corals. You can probably find some compact flourescants cheap. drsfostersmith.com or thatpetplace.com have good prices __________________ I keep trying the same thing over and over, but it never works. Current Tank Info: 29g FOWLR, coming down soon. Recently purchased a 90g drilled. DIY stand and canopy.

08/14/2007, 08:47 AM	#3
jake bolander Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	Not quite sure just some coral and some fish but im wanting to get a light that will make the coral grow and i think there called enemas (?). My friend is hard core into this stuff and im 3 days into it so i know jack **** bout this.

08/14/2007, 10:21 AM	#7
jake bolander Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	where would i go to find good used equipment? is there somewhere on reef central? Or any suggested web sites?