Lighting question

Beaner3 · 04/11/2007, 07:40 AM

I have a 180 that I built that is sitting empty right now. I'm going to make a filter this week, and fill the sucker finally. My question is, Do any of you knowledgeable light freaks think that a 4x65watt, 48" power compact strip, used in conjunction with a 2x55 watt, 48" power compact strip, would be sufficient light for the algae living in the tissues of sebae anemones, some star polyps, and maybe some higher placed zooas? I figure the total wattage to be around 370, this gives me about 2 watts per gallon, Is this O.K.? I don't want to go with MH, because my solar power batteries won't be able to keep up with that kind of drain, any advice will be digested and appreciated.

HowardW · 04/11/2007, 08:53 AM

I don't think that light setup would be sufficient for a sebae anemone.

goreefer · 04/11/2007, 09:00 AM

I would not go with the PC's.
Look into T-5s or MH for a tank that large.

Beaner3 · 04/11/2007, 12:52 PM

I can't run MHers, I'm running on solar and wind power, totally off the grid, PC's are the only thing that wont drain all my power thru the day, when used with my pumps for circ and skimmer, I'm kind of topped out at my wattage right now,........... anyone else? Opinion on this light set up? I'm not going sps or anything, just small colonials and an anemone or two.

cdangel0 · 04/11/2007, 01:09 PM

I have successfully kept both a Condi and Bubble tip anemone under PC Lighting. As well as GSP, Xenia, various Mushrooms, and a Hammer coral.

Just make sure that you're light demanding items are kept as high in the tank as possible, and supplement with feedings of shrimp and silversides once a week.

MTB · 04/11/2007, 01:13 PM

You may want to look into t-5s. They will give more par than the PCs. They use a bit less elec. also. Just something to think about.

goreefer · 04/11/2007, 01:32 PM

I agree with MTB. If wattage is an issue T5's are the only way to go.
I went from 220watts of PC's to 98watts of T5's and my tank is much brighter, my SPS are growing faster, and I have better lamp color choices.
The lower wattage demand should complement your green power.

Beaner3 · 04/11/2007, 04:52 PM

Thanks alot guys, I will take it all into consideration.

04/11/2007, 07:40 AM	#1
Beaner3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Goodbye Minnesota, Hello Leadville CO Posts: 266	Lighting question I have a 180 that I built that is sitting empty right now. I'm going to make a filter this week, and fill the sucker finally. My question is, Do any of you knowledgeable light freaks think that a 4x65watt, 48" power compact strip, used in conjunction with a 2x55 watt, 48" power compact strip, would be sufficient light for the algae living in the tissues of sebae anemones, some star polyps, and maybe some higher placed zooas? I figure the total wattage to be around 370, this gives me about 2 watts per gallon, Is this O.K.? I don't want to go with MH, because my solar power batteries won't be able to keep up with that kind of drain, any advice will be digested and appreciated.

04/11/2007, 08:53 AM	#2
HowardW Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 1,763	I don't think that light setup would be sufficient for a sebae anemone. __________________ Florida live rock addict

04/11/2007, 01:13 PM	#6
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	You may want to look into t-5s. They will give more par than the PCs. They use a bit less elec. also. Just something to think about. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

04/11/2007, 09:00 AM	#3
goreefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 825	I would not go with the PC's. Look into T-5s or MH for a tank that large.

04/11/2007, 12:52 PM	#4
Beaner3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Goodbye Minnesota, Hello Leadville CO Posts: 266	I can't run MHers, I'm running on solar and wind power, totally off the grid, PC's are the only thing that wont drain all my power thru the day, when used with my pumps for circ and skimmer, I'm kind of topped out at my wattage right now,........... anyone else? Opinion on this light set up? I'm not going sps or anything, just small colonials and an anemone or two.

04/11/2007, 01:09 PM	#5
cdangel0 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 905	I have successfully kept both a Condi and Bubble tip anemone under PC Lighting. As well as GSP, Xenia, various Mushrooms, and a Hammer coral. Just make sure that you're light demanding items are kept as high in the tank as possible, and supplement with feedings of shrimp and silversides once a week.

04/11/2007, 01:32 PM	#7
goreefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 825	I agree with MTB. If wattage is an issue T5's are the only way to go. I went from 220watts of PC's to 98watts of T5's and my tank is much brighter, my SPS are growing faster, and I have better lamp color choices. The lower wattage demand should complement your green power.

04/11/2007, 04:52 PM	#8
Beaner3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Goodbye Minnesota, Hello Leadville CO Posts: 266	Thanks alot guys, I will take it all into consideration.