Lighting question please

singold · 11/12/2008, 10:39 PM

DO i need stronger lighting:

Ok, I have a 75 gal tank with a PC Coralife 10,000k with Actinic which has a total of 260 watts (2x65 watt white lights & 2x65 watt Actinic). My question is should I get an additional light such as a T5 single or double bulb to add extra watts for lighting. I am trying to sustain & get growth on the following corals:

-Yellow Fiji Leather
-2 Frogspawn
-Toadstool Leather
-Zoanthids
-Kenya Tree
-Mushrooms

I do NOT ever plan to get SPS corals
I only plan on Soft Corals mainly, maybe some LPS

*My main concern is the Yellow Fiji Leather since I have read that they like high light. I have it higher in tank, but not sure if I have enough lighting. Please advise.

R.W. · 11/12/2008, 10:43 PM

That lighting should be fine for those corals.

singold · 11/13/2008, 10:10 AM

bump

Toddrtrex · 11/13/2008, 10:41 AM

From my understanding (( reading only, have never kept one )), you are going to have an issue with the Yellow leather, they require more light then a normal leather.

singold · 11/13/2008, 11:22 AM

That is my primary concern, also. I just got the Yellow Fiji Leather 2 days ago, opening fine currently, polyps are extended. But, am concerned that I may not have enough light. I could fit a 2 bulb T5 above my aquarium for extra lighting. I'm not in the budget position to go out & buy a whole new system. How much watts in total would be good, like I noted above, I have 260 watts now from PC. Half of these are from the Actinic bulbs. Any advise?

crvz · 11/13/2008, 12:15 PM

I'd just put it higher in the tank, I imagine you'll have adequate lighting for the coral over time. Keep the bulbs fresh (PC bulbs need relatively frequent changing, say every 6 months or so) and it should do well.

IslandCrow · 11/13/2008, 01:25 PM

You're lighting should be just fine. Don't get too hung up on the "watts" thing. Cramming a couple T-5 bulbs under your hood really isn't going to do much for you. If you ever decide you need more light, just invest in a full set of T-5s (or metal halides, etc.). With your current plans for the tank, though, you should be just fine. The Fiji and the Frogspawn will certainly appreciate being placed in the upper half of the tank, though.

singold · 11/13/2008, 02:16 PM

Thanks for tips and thoughts, I do appreciate it.

11/12/2008, 10:39 PM	#1
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	Lighting question please DO i need stronger lighting: Ok, I have a 75 gal tank with a PC Coralife 10,000k with Actinic which has a total of 260 watts (2x65 watt white lights & 2x65 watt Actinic). My question is should I get an additional light such as a T5 single or double bulb to add extra watts for lighting. I am trying to sustain & get growth on the following corals: -Yellow Fiji Leather -2 Frogspawn -Toadstool Leather -Zoanthids -Kenya Tree -Mushrooms I do NOT ever plan to get SPS corals I only plan on Soft Corals mainly, maybe some LPS My main concern is the Yellow Fiji Leather since I have read that they like high light. I have it higher in tank, but not sure if I have enough lighting. Please advise. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium Last edited by singold; 11/12/2008 at 10:50 PM.*

11/12/2008, 10:43 PM	#2
R.W. Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 890	That lighting should be fine for those corals. __________________ 180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors."

11/13/2008, 10:10 AM	#3
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	bump __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

11/13/2008, 10:41 AM	#4
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	From my understanding (( reading only, have never kept one )), you are going to have an issue with the Yellow leather, they require more light then a normal leather. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

11/13/2008, 11:22 AM	#5
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	That is my primary concern, also. I just got the Yellow Fiji Leather 2 days ago, opening fine currently, polyps are extended. But, am concerned that I may not have enough light. I could fit a 2 bulb T5 above my aquarium for extra lighting. I'm not in the budget position to go out & buy a whole new system. How much watts in total would be good, like I noted above, I have 260 watts now from PC. Half of these are from the Actinic bulbs. Any advise? __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

11/13/2008, 12:15 PM	#6
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I'd just put it higher in the tank, I imagine you'll have adequate lighting for the coral over time. Keep the bulbs fresh (PC bulbs need relatively frequent changing, say every 6 months or so) and it should do well. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/13/2008, 01:25 PM	#7
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	You're lighting should be just fine. Don't get too hung up on the "watts" thing. Cramming a couple T-5 bulbs under your hood really isn't going to do much for you. If you ever decide you need more light, just invest in a full set of T-5s (or metal halides, etc.). With your current plans for the tank, though, you should be just fine. The Fiji and the Frogspawn will certainly appreciate being placed in the upper half of the tank, though. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

11/13/2008, 02:16 PM	#8
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	Thanks for tips and thoughts, I do appreciate it. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium