Lighting Help. PLZ!!!!!

Pandagobyguy · 10/04/2014, 09:05 AM

I'm sure this question has been answered many times and is probably available somewhere on site but i can't find it..... sorry!
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could give the number of watts i need to grow every type of coral.... also i'm not sure if i can grow soft, LPS and SPS with the same type of lighting.....
I am getting back into reef keeping but i somehow forgot almost everything i used to know.... any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks in advance!
-panda

P.S. i realize it's probably important that i give you the dimensions of my tank but unfortunately i haven't bought one yet.... i have to imagine that it will end up being either a 55 gallon long or a 75 gallon.

Dozer1one · 10/04/2014, 09:20 AM

Most of the reef capable LEDs that you see at pet stores, like the marine land and current led lights are only around 40 watts or under, theses will sustain some softies and some Lps, if you want to be able to " grow" everything, your gonna want to go with a high quality led unit which are usually 120-150 watt. But you can also go with a metal halide or T5 light fixture, what size tank is this for

Timfish · 10/04/2014, 09:25 AM

Here's a recent thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2440741
Keep in mind there is no one set of lighting conditions that will work for the thousands of species an aquarist may keep. Lighting and corals need to be matched to each other for best success.

Pandagobyguy · 10/04/2014, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the link^^^^^.....
Good to know!!! i think i'm going with LED's so that's super helpful!!!

10/04/2014, 09:05 AM	#1
Pandagobyguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 333	Lighting Help. PLZ!!!!! I'm sure this question has been answered many times and is probably available somewhere on site but i can't find it..... sorry! Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could give the number of watts i need to grow every type of coral.... also i'm not sure if i can grow soft, LPS and SPS with the same type of lighting..... I am getting back into reef keeping but i somehow forgot almost everything i used to know.... any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance! -panda P.S. i realize it's probably important that i give you the dimensions of my tank but unfortunately i haven't bought one yet.... i have to imagine that it will end up being either a 55 gallon long or a 75 gallon.

10/04/2014, 09:25 AM	#3
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	Here's a recent thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2440741 Keep in mind there is no one set of lighting conditions that will work for the thousands of species an aquarist may keep. Lighting and corals need to be matched to each other for best success. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

10/04/2014, 09:20 AM	#2
Dozer1one Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: levittown, PA Posts: 349	Most of the reef capable LEDs that you see at pet stores, like the marine land and current led lights are only around 40 watts or under, theses will sustain some softies and some Lps, if you want to be able to " grow" everything, your gonna want to go with a high quality led unit which are usually 120-150 watt. But you can also go with a metal halide or T5 light fixture, what size tank is this for

10/04/2014, 10:17 AM	#4
Pandagobyguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 333	Thanks for the link^^^^^..... Good to know!!! i think i'm going with LED's so that's super helpful!!!