Lighting my Reef Tank

ocarius · 01/22/2009, 09:49 AM

I want to get this fixture for my 55gallon tank

This Light

I was hoping to get his if I ever wanted to go to 75 gallons. Im affraid it may actually be to much light.

patsfan1130 · 01/22/2009, 09:56 AM

It's not too much light IMO. If it were me, I would go for 250w seeing as you very likely will upgrade down the road.

ocarius · 01/22/2009, 09:58 AM

only way i would update this is if I got a much bigger tank, this is already at 10 watts per gallon. why would I go to 250? Im really curious. Maybe you know more than me which is a very likely chance.

Michael · 01/22/2009, 10:10 AM

its hard to have too much light, ive seen reefs with serious light above them and they look fantastic, however your gut feeling is what matters, if your happy with 150s then go for it

patsfan1130 · 01/22/2009, 10:36 AM

Watts per gallon is essentailly a useless measurement of light required. PAR or the light penetration is what is important. That being said, 2x150 will suffice for your tank. I don't think you would have to worry much about livestock placement either. It definately is not too much. I merely suggested 250 based on your possible upgrade comment as I do not think 250W is too much either. Is it a lot? yes. considering the investment you are getting ready to make and the difference in cost between that fixture and a 250w fixture (depending on where you go it is not that much more) and the possibility of an upgrade one needs to choose wisey. Lighting for most is one of the biggest inventments they make and it would be so sweet if you could use that same fixture on a future tank upgrade. I've got thousands of $$ of equipment sitting in my basement collecting dust.

reefworm · 01/22/2009, 10:47 AM

agreed with the above post. I have a 250w over a 29gal. just acclimate new corals by having the lights on for a shorter time and slowly increase it to normal. Put new frags near the bottom, even in a more shaded area and gradually move out and further up to the spot you want.

abulgin · 01/22/2009, 10:55 AM

First, the watts per gallon rule is outdated and irrelevant. So much depends on the type of lighting, the spectrum, the age of bulbs, and the placement of corals. In your situation, with this fixture, you can basically discount the 130W power compacts--they are actinic bulbs, so they don't provide much useful light. What you're interested in as far as reef lighting is the daylight spectra--the HQIs. Now you're at 5.5 watts/gallon on a 55g, and 4 watts per gallon on a 75g.

Second, although Current makes very nice fixtures, if it were me I would go a different route. I know there will be some on here that will poo poo my thought, claim it's stupid, that I'm suggesting that you put life and limb in peril, but whatever--don't believe the hype. I have had the fixture for 15 months with no problem, and many, many others have the fixture as well with no problems. Most people who have it, love it.

Anyway, I have the Odyssea 48" 760W MH fixture that I bought from Aquatraders.com (http://www.aquatraders.com/48-760w-m...c-ballast.aspx). The price of the fixture has been reduced since I bought it and is $329 with free shipping. It has 2x250W HQIs and 4x65W royal blue power compacts. I replaced the two stock ballasts with two IceCaps, at $129.99 earch, and I replaced the stock HQIs with two 14,000K bulbs I got on eBay for $21 each. If you do the math, that's $631. To get a comparable "name brand" fixture, you'd have to spend at least $800--http://www.marineandreef.com/Outer_Orbit_T5_250W_USA_48_current_outer_orbit_p/rcu01077.htm.

01/22/2009, 09:49 AM	#1
ocarius Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 84	Lighting my Reef Tank I want to get this fixture for my 55gallon tank This Light I was hoping to get his if I ever wanted to go to 75 gallons. Im affraid it may actually be to much light.

01/22/2009, 09:56 AM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	It's not too much light IMO. If it were me, I would go for 250w seeing as you very likely will upgrade down the road. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

01/22/2009, 10:10 AM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	its hard to have too much light, ive seen reefs with serious light above them and they look fantastic, however your gut feeling is what matters, if your happy with 150s then go for it __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

01/22/2009, 10:36 AM	#5
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	Watts per gallon is essentailly a useless measurement of light required. PAR or the light penetration is what is important. That being said, 2x150 will suffice for your tank. I don't think you would have to worry much about livestock placement either. It definately is not too much. I merely suggested 250 based on your possible upgrade comment as I do not think 250W is too much either. Is it a lot? yes. considering the investment you are getting ready to make and the difference in cost between that fixture and a 250w fixture (depending on where you go it is not that much more) and the possibility of an upgrade one needs to choose wisey. Lighting for most is one of the biggest inventments they make and it would be so sweet if you could use that same fixture on a future tank upgrade. I've got thousands of $$ of equipment sitting in my basement collecting dust. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

01/22/2009, 10:47 AM	#6
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	agreed with the above post. I have a 250w over a 29gal. just acclimate new corals by having the lights on for a shorter time and slowly increase it to normal. Put new frags near the bottom, even in a more shaded area and gradually move out and further up to the spot you want. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

01/22/2009, 09:58 AM	#3
ocarius Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 84	only way i would update this is if I got a much bigger tank, this is already at 10 watts per gallon. why would I go to 250? Im really curious. Maybe you know more than me which is a very likely chance.

01/22/2009, 10:55 AM	#7
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	First, the watts per gallon rule is outdated and irrelevant. So much depends on the type of lighting, the spectrum, the age of bulbs, and the placement of corals. In your situation, with this fixture, you can basically discount the 130W power compacts--they are actinic bulbs, so they don't provide much useful light. What you're interested in as far as reef lighting is the daylight spectra--the HQIs. Now you're at 5.5 watts/gallon on a 55g, and 4 watts per gallon on a 75g. Second, although Current makes very nice fixtures, if it were me I would go a different route. I know there will be some on here that will poo poo my thought, claim it's stupid, that I'm suggesting that you put life and limb in peril, but whatever--don't believe the hype. I have had the fixture for 15 months with no problem, and many, many others have the fixture as well with no problems. Most people who have it, love it. Anyway, I have the Odyssea 48" 760W MH fixture that I bought from Aquatraders.com (http://www.aquatraders.com/48-760w-m...c-ballast.aspx). The price of the fixture has been reduced since I bought it and is $329 with free shipping. It has 2x250W HQIs and 4x65W royal blue power compacts. I replaced the two stock ballasts with two IceCaps, at $129.99 earch, and I replaced the stock HQIs with two 14,000K bulbs I got on eBay for $21 each. If you do the math, that's $631. To get a comparable "name brand" fixture, you'd have to spend at least $800--http://www.marineandreef.com/Outer_Orbit_T5_250W_USA_48_current_outer_orbit_p/rcu01077.htm.