Lighting advice for 65 gal FMWLR* tank

commodore · 01/28/2006, 01:54 PM

I have a 65 gal tank (24" deep) that I plan to use for a FMLWR tank ("fish mainly with live rock" - new acronym??). I'll probably include some soft corals, but nothing real demanding. I want adequate lighting which does the job and creates a nice appearance in the tank, but not looking to spend the $$ for state of the art. I was thinking about either a 2 bulb PC fixture (96 W x2) or a 4 bulb T-5 fixture (4 x 39W) without the individual reflectors. Any advice would be appreciated - which fixture, which bulbs, etc. Thanks.

Mekong · 01/28/2006, 02:28 PM

The PCs would be enough for easy soft corals, but 24" is deep and your coral choice is really limited.

T5s would be better, get the real sunlightsupply T5s, as many of the ebay brands are horrible. The indiviual reflectors is what will give the bulb a greater punch into the 24" deep tank.

Have you considered something like:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ed.asp?CartId=

or

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...nt.asp?CartId=

The MH will be best for getting light down to the deep, the corals will be more colorful and the growth will be better.

MayoBoy · 01/28/2006, 02:56 PM

You'd be fine with a Finnex type fixture but you're going to have to change out the bulbs - mine were very yellow, the actinics were useless and they really made algae grow. Keep that in mind when you're pricing things. By the time you factor in new bulbs, you might spend less on one of the other fixtures.

Also, you don't plan on keeping corals now but things change. Then you have to upgrade and you've basically thrown your money away. Think about spending a few more bucks on a good fixture that won't have to be upgraded in the future.

Been there, done that - just finished putting my MH lights up this afternoon - now I have a Finnex T-5 and a bunch of PC stuff gathering dust in the corner and mocking me for the money I spent on them...

commodore · 01/28/2006, 06:37 PM

How would the 2 bulb PC(2x96W) compare in output to the 4 bulb T-5 HO (4 X 39 W) with normal ballasts and reflectors?

01/28/2006, 01:54 PM	#1
commodore Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 274	*Lighting advice for 65 gal FMWLR tank** I have a 65 gal tank (24" deep) that I plan to use for a FMLWR tank ("fish mainly with live rock" - new acronym??). I'll probably include some soft corals, but nothing real demanding. I want adequate lighting which does the job and creates a nice appearance in the tank, but not looking to spend the $$ for state of the art. I was thinking about either a 2 bulb PC fixture (96 W x2) or a 4 bulb T-5 fixture (4 x 39W) without the individual reflectors. Any advice would be appreciated - which fixture, which bulbs, etc. Thanks.

01/28/2006, 02:28 PM	#2
Mekong Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,539	The PCs would be enough for easy soft corals, but 24" is deep and your coral choice is really limited. T5s would be better, get the real sunlightsupply T5s, as many of the ebay brands are horrible. The indiviual reflectors is what will give the bulb a greater punch into the 24" deep tank. Have you considered something like: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ed.asp?CartId= or http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...nt.asp?CartId= The MH will be best for getting light down to the deep, the corals will be more colorful and the growth will be better. __________________ _________________________ Current Tank Info: 90g Reef from 2004-2013.

01/28/2006, 02:56 PM	#3
MayoBoy Movin' on Up Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Webster Groves, MO Posts: 2,282	You'd be fine with a Finnex type fixture but you're going to have to change out the bulbs - mine were very yellow, the actinics were useless and they really made algae grow. Keep that in mind when you're pricing things. By the time you factor in new bulbs, you might spend less on one of the other fixtures. Also, you don't plan on keeping corals now but things change. Then you have to upgrade and you've basically thrown your money away. Think about spending a few more bucks on a good fixture that won't have to be upgraded in the future. Been there, done that - just finished putting my MH lights up this afternoon - now I have a Finnex T-5 and a bunch of PC stuff gathering dust in the corner and mocking me for the money I spent on them... __________________ Getting sucked back in slowly but surely. Current Tank Info: 27 gallon freshwater planted cube. Amazonian biotope

01/28/2006, 06:37 PM	#4
commodore Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 274	How would the 2 bulb PC(2x96W) compare in output to the 4 bulb T-5 HO (4 X 39 W) with normal ballasts and reflectors?