Lighting opinions please

GCamp13 · 06/05/2011, 04:49 PM

Since I don't understand all I know about lighting and corals, I'm throwing some questions I have out for discussion. My first tank is a 75 gallon, 48 inch tank. Corals that I have in it are Zoa's, Musgrooms, Xenia, Tree Leather, Kenya Tree, Yellow Polyps and Button Polyps. I also have some Frogspawn, Duncans, and some Acan Frags. Planning to add some Ricordea Mushrooms, Toadstool and maybe a Chili Coral. What lighting would you recommend? Halides? T5's? Compacts? Also how much light?

Second tank will be a 20 gallon long tank setup as a frag tank. Pretty much the same corals and maybe a birdsnest and a few other SPS.

All opinions appreciated.

davocean · 06/05/2011, 05:20 PM

Those are all fairly low light needy corals, you could even get by w/ PC's(compacts) but T5's would probably be more practical and efficient.

You could probably get by w/ a 4 bulb fixture, maybe a 6 bulb.
T5's would be fine on your frag tank too.
You could even look into LED's, but they may be more expensive to purchase, though the savings would add up fast in the long run.

GCamp13 · 06/05/2011, 05:33 PM

Thanks, I was thinking t5's on the 75. What corals would require Halides? That would actually be a good thread, a listing of corals and best lighting for them.

Kerreefer · 06/05/2011, 05:38 PM

SPS's and some LPS depending on how far down the tank they are.

+1 on T5's (way more color choices)

firebirdude · 06/05/2011, 05:41 PM

A huge 48" PC fixture really wouldn't be that much cheaper than T5s. And as kerreefer pointed out, T5s give you WAY more color options and as davocean stated, they'd be more efficient too. Get a 6-bulb. Leaves you room to add higher light corals if you'd like. It's a no brainer.

jenglish · 06/05/2011, 05:42 PM

In a 75 I would not say any coral required MH. A six bulb T5HO with good reflectors (or 8 bulb) is going to support SPS most of the way through the tank. I think for a 4 foot tank there are some advantages to just doing 2 MH, but T5 gives you more color choices.

06/05/2011, 04:49 PM	#1
GCamp13 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cullman, AL Posts: 106	Lighting opinions please Since I don't understand all I know about lighting and corals, I'm throwing some questions I have out for discussion. My first tank is a 75 gallon, 48 inch tank. Corals that I have in it are Zoa's, Musgrooms, Xenia, Tree Leather, Kenya Tree, Yellow Polyps and Button Polyps. I also have some Frogspawn, Duncans, and some Acan Frags. Planning to add some Ricordea Mushrooms, Toadstool and maybe a Chili Coral. What lighting would you recommend? Halides? T5's? Compacts? Also how much light? Second tank will be a 20 gallon long tank setup as a frag tank. Pretty much the same corals and maybe a birdsnest and a few other SPS. All opinions appreciated.

06/05/2011, 05:20 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Those are all fairly low light needy corals, you could even get by w/ PC's(compacts) but T5's would probably be more practical and efficient. You could probably get by w/ a 4 bulb fixture, maybe a 6 bulb. T5's would be fine on your frag tank too. You could even look into LED's, but they may be more expensive to purchase, though the savings would add up fast in the long run. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

06/05/2011, 05:42 PM	#6
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	In a 75 I would not say any coral required MH. A six bulb T5HO with good reflectors (or 8 bulb) is going to support SPS most of the way through the tank. I think for a 4 foot tank there are some advantages to just doing 2 MH, but T5 gives you more color choices. __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry

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06/05/2011, 05:33 PM	#3
GCamp13 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cullman, AL Posts: 106	Thanks, I was thinking t5's on the 75. What corals would require Halides? That would actually be a good thread, a listing of corals and best lighting for them.

06/05/2011, 05:38 PM	#4
Kerreefer Registered Member. Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 98	SPS's and some LPS depending on how far down the tank they are. +1 on T5's (way more color choices)

06/05/2011, 05:41 PM	#5
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	A huge 48" PC fixture really wouldn't be that much cheaper than T5s. And as kerreefer pointed out, T5s give you WAY more color options and as davocean stated, they'd be more efficient too. Get a 6-bulb. Leaves you room to add higher light corals if you'd like. It's a no brainer.