Fuge Lighting (for Corals)

gig · 02/04/2008, 09:56 AM

Currently lighting my Fuge with a 65W PC strip fixture.

Choice of bulbs, which is better, considering that I am housing some of my corals (Zoas, Leathers, Mushrooms, Galaxia, Flowerpot, all things my angels are now nipping on!).

SmartPaq10000ÂºK/Actinic 460nm 65W

or

SunPaq Dual Daylight6700ÂºK/10000ÂºK 65W

Which is better?

gig · 02/04/2008, 01:40 PM

da bump

humptrax · 02/04/2008, 01:58 PM

found this looking for moonlight help using the search function earlier...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

might save you a few bucks.

gig · 02/04/2008, 02:03 PM

thanks humptrax, but I don't think that will be sufficient for corals (even though this is temporary). I currently own both bulbs, just wondering which would be better to use.

humptrax · 02/04/2008, 02:45 PM

if you're keeping corals in your fuge, i'd assume that you'd want to use a light which best suits the corals you're keeping.

if you're keeping deep water corals, i'd assume you'd want to use actinics but i don't think actinics are very effective at growing macroalgae.

i would assume that a 50/50 bulb or using both bulbs in a dual PC fixture might be your best bet. then again, if i were you, i'd ask one of the lighting gurus.

gig · 02/04/2008, 02:48 PM

the corals are mostly softies, shrooms, some LPS, it's a temporary situation (maybe a couple months), until I get my but in gear to remove the offending fish and get my 45G ready for them as well. I have the single PC light fixture over it now and was wondering which of the two bulbs would suit these corals best.

Once I move them back into the main display, I'll decide again which bulb is more appropriate for just Chaeto, etc.

humptrax · 02/04/2008, 03:22 PM

for a temp set up, i'd go with the 6500k. i don't think actinics alone will promote coral growth especially the LPS.

if you have light hungry corals (some LPS are), you might have to get a new light fixture or you may lose the corals.

again, identify the corals, figure out their light requirements, then make a decision. it sounds like you're going to need a more powerful setup, especially if this has to run for an extended period of time.

02/04/2008, 09:56 AM	#1
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	Fuge Lighting (for Corals) Currently lighting my Fuge with a 65W PC strip fixture. Choice of bulbs, which is better, considering that I am housing some of my corals (Zoas, Leathers, Mushrooms, Galaxia, Flowerpot, all things my angels are now nipping on!). SmartPaq10000ÂºK/Actinic 460nm 65W or SunPaq Dual Daylight6700ÂºK/10000ÂºK 65W Which is better? __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.

02/04/2008, 01:40 PM	#2
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	da bump __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.

02/04/2008, 02:03 PM	#4
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	thanks humptrax, but I don't think that will be sufficient for corals (even though this is temporary). I currently own both bulbs, just wondering which would be better to use. __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.

02/04/2008, 02:48 PM	#6
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	the corals are mostly softies, shrooms, some LPS, it's a temporary situation (maybe a couple months), until I get my but in gear to remove the offending fish and get my 45G ready for them as well. I have the single PC light fixture over it now and was wondering which of the two bulbs would suit these corals best. Once I move them back into the main display, I'll decide again which bulb is more appropriate for just Chaeto, etc. __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.

02/04/2008, 01:58 PM	#3
humptrax Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 119	found this looking for moonlight help using the search function earlier... http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 might save you a few bucks.

02/04/2008, 02:45 PM	#5
humptrax Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 119	if you're keeping corals in your fuge, i'd assume that you'd want to use a light which best suits the corals you're keeping. if you're keeping deep water corals, i'd assume you'd want to use actinics but i don't think actinics are very effective at growing macroalgae. i would assume that a 50/50 bulb or using both bulbs in a dual PC fixture might be your best bet. then again, if i were you, i'd ask one of the lighting gurus.

02/04/2008, 03:22 PM	#7
humptrax Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 119	for a temp set up, i'd go with the 6500k. i don't think actinics alone will promote coral growth especially the LPS. if you have light hungry corals (some LPS are), you might have to get a new light fixture or you may lose the corals. again, identify the corals, figure out their light requirements, then make a decision. it sounds like you're going to need a more powerful setup, especially if this has to run for an extended period of time.