Too much light????

johnkov418 · 12/30/2009, 11:50 PM

Hello all,

Ive decided to put together a very simple 5.5 gallon tank...

5.5 aga tank

Emperor 280 Bio Wheel

50 w heater

36" 96watt Coralife 50/50 pc

As you can see from the pics the light hangs well over the tank but like I mentioned I pieced this together and I guess it doesnt really bother me....

So what I am wondering is 1) Is this too much lighting on a 5.5 and 2) If not what kind of corals can I keep on this type of simple system.....

Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions..John

p.s. I just put this system together a few hours ago, thats why the water is so cloudy

starjtj · 12/31/2009, 12:00 AM

Not too much wattage but maybe too much fixture.

Jurgs · 12/31/2009, 05:19 AM

Yeah, i reakon maybe just the fixture...

bekindtoyurbuds · 12/31/2009, 05:37 AM

not too much light, (prob just right if you plan on keeping softies,lps or some sps, but dont' quote me on it), figure in that your prob only get a third of the light/wattage per gal with that fixture being so long (about 2/3 too long, but if you don't mind I don't mind either). But with the depth of the tank you will prob be able to keep water ever you want, "play it by ear"/eye and see how your corals do once everything has settled (I say this because it looks a little cloudy, maybe you moved stuff around or added sand)

darkdruid · 12/31/2009, 12:36 PM

If you just want to light the tank and not the whole room, measure how much the fixture overhangs the tank and cut a piece of cardboard for each end. Tape it in place and block off the light everywhere but over the tank. It'll look alot better and you can always take it off if you go to a bigger tank later.

nanojg · 12/31/2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkdruid

If you just want to light the tank and not the whole room, measure how much the fixture overhangs the tank and cut a piece of cardboard for each end. Tape it in place and block off the light everywhere but over the tank. It'll look alot better and you can always take it off if you go to a bigger tank later.

Not sure if I would do this...fire hazard?

I doubt you could ever have too much light if you are using pc's.

sanababit · 12/31/2009, 01:16 PM

to much fixture IMO,

sana

coralfarm123 · 12/31/2009, 01:19 PM

I don't think the light will be too strong for corals as long as it isn't overheating the water. Just be sure to keep an eye on the temperature.

sruiz · 12/31/2009, 01:25 PM

" 2) If not what kind of corals can I keep on this type of simple system "

I would keep some softies nothing that requires too much, just research before you buy.

liquidfunk · 12/31/2009, 03:16 PM

i have a 175w halide over a 10gal in an enclosure,,, things love it. There was a great ghetto thread somewhere on RC, it would be a great addition!

LifeAquatic · 12/31/2009, 03:37 PM

That pic is Hilarious! start a new thread..... Big Light Club. = )

johnkov418 · 12/31/2009, 06:06 PM

Maybe I'm just over overcompensating for something else.......lol.... so can I be named President of the "Big Light Club"........lol

darkdruid · 01/02/2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanojg

Not sure if I would do this...fire hazard?

I doubt you could ever have too much light if you are using pc's.

It already has an acrylic cover over the bulbs, a thin piece of posterboard or black construction paper won't insulate it enough to cause any problems.

I have a great idea, the fixture is 36" and the 5 gallon tank is 16" Since they are cheap, why not set up another 5 gallon tank beside the first one and light them both with the same fixture?

ken30360 · 01/02/2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkdruid

It already has an acrylic cover over the bulbs, a thin piece of posterboard or black construction paper won't insulate it enough to cause any problems.

I have a great idea, the fixture is 36" and the 5 gallon tank is 16" Since they are cheap, why not set up another 5 gallon tank beside the first one and light them both with the same fixture?

Darkdruid has the right idea here...

Robby.F · 01/02/2010, 03:41 PM

I would take off the Bio wheel if I was you, but I would also get a smaller fixter too.

lordofthereef · 01/02/2010, 04:24 PM

Most of that light isn't making it into your tank anyway. I wouldn't be worried at all myself.

kingfisher62 · 01/02/2010, 04:32 PM

You need to put 2 house plants on both sides of your tank and you will be good to go or maybe couple of tomato plants. That way the money you save on tomatoes will compensate for money you will be loosing in electricity! LOL

12/30/2009, 11:50 PM	#1
johnkov418 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 150	Too much light???? Hello all, Ive decided to put together a very simple 5.5 gallon tank... 5.5 aga tank Emperor 280 Bio Wheel 50 w heater 36" 96watt Coralife 50/50 pc As you can see from the pics the light hangs well over the tank but like I mentioned I pieced this together and I guess it doesnt really bother me.... So what I am wondering is 1) Is this too much lighting on a 5.5 and 2) If not what kind of corals can I keep on this type of simple system..... Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions..John p.s. I just put this system together a few hours ago, thats why the water is so cloudy

12/31/2009, 12:36 PM	#5
darkdruid Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 520	If you just want to light the tank and not the whole room, measure how much the fixture overhangs the tank and cut a piece of cardboard for each end. Tape it in place and block off the light everywhere but over the tank. It'll look alot better and you can always take it off if you go to a bigger tank later. __________________ Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything. Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront and 35 gallon mixed reefs, several 10 and 20 gallon frag tanks, beginning a 125 build

12/31/2009, 01:16 PM	#7
sanababit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uranus Posts: 3,094	to much fixture IMO, sana __________________ Senior Member of the "Hardly any Water Changes, Temp Swinging, T5ing, No Qtining, Frag Exchanging for Fish Food Current Tank Info: 90RR inwall, Octopuss Skimmer, 2 MP40 wQD, 1 MP10 WQD, 2 Radions G4 Pro, Apex Doser, Apex Controller, 400w heater, 30 Gal Sump, Biopellets, Carbon, Gfo, Macroalgae

12/31/2009, 01:25 PM	#9
sruiz Reef'R Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Searching... Posts: 1,381	" 2) If not what kind of corals can I keep on this type of simple system " I would keep some softies nothing that requires too much, just research before you buy. __________________ Don't forget your water change.

12/31/2009, 03:16 PM	#10
liquidfunk Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Portland OR Posts: 891	i have a 175w halide over a 10gal in an enclosure,,, things love it. There was a great ghetto thread somewhere on RC, it would be a great addition! __________________ Feed Your Obsession

12/31/2009, 12:00 AM	#2
starjtj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 11	Not too much wattage but maybe too much fixture.

12/31/2009, 05:19 AM	#3
Jurgs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 12	Yeah, i reakon maybe just the fixture...

12/31/2009, 05:37 AM	#4
bekindtoyurbuds Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Riverside Ca Posts: 374	not too much light, (prob just right if you plan on keeping softies,lps or some sps, but dont' quote me on it), figure in that your prob only get a third of the light/wattage per gal with that fixture being so long (about 2/3 too long, but if you don't mind I don't mind either). But with the depth of the tank you will prob be able to keep water ever you want, "play it by ear"/eye and see how your corals do once everything has settled (I say this because it looks a little cloudy, maybe you moved stuff around or added sand)

12/31/2009, 01:19 PM	#8
coralfarm123 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 590	I don't think the light will be too strong for corals as long as it isn't overheating the water. Just be sure to keep an eye on the temperature.

12/31/2009, 03:37 PM	#11
LifeAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 922	That pic is Hilarious! start a new thread..... Big Light Club. = )

12/31/2009, 06:06 PM	#12
johnkov418 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 150	Maybe I'm just over overcompensating for something else.......lol.... so can I be named President of the "Big Light Club"........lol

01/02/2010, 03:41 PM	#15
Robby.F Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 14	I would take off the Bio wheel if I was you, but I would also get a smaller fixter too.

01/02/2010, 04:24 PM	#16
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Most of that light isn't making it into your tank anyway. I wouldn't be worried at all myself. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

01/02/2010, 04:32 PM	#17
kingfisher62 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: massachusetts Posts: 4,972	You need to put 2 house plants on both sides of your tank and you will be good to go or maybe couple of tomato plants. That way the money you save on tomatoes will compensate for money you will be loosing in electricity! LOL __________________ 55g Tank - 216W T5's Foxface, tomato clown, yellow tailed damsel, Starrie Blennie, LPS and softies 29G Biocube- 120W LED's 2 percular clown, Six line Wrasse , LPS and softies Current Tank Info: 55 gl. Reef tank ,29g biocube Reef