help with lighting

harrisagogetter · 03/03/2006, 08:45 PM

I know that I am new to this and there are a few questions about the light that I bought from a lfs.

1. I have a 20" 40w (10,000k/460 nm antinic) lamp that goes over a hex tank that I have. Is there anything that may be brighter down the road?

2. Can this light system support coral and other live rock well? I think that I have seen a few pollups on the rocks already but how can you tell? They look like little white q-tips with a stem....

3. The tank si 24" deep which I believe is a pretty far distance, so that being said are there other ways to get a brighter light down there while keeping the 20" ballast intact?

Thanks for the help
Aaron

anthworks · 03/03/2006, 09:24 PM

It really will not support much. Maybe some low light mushrooms? I would get a single 175 MH pendant w/ Power compact attinic.

harrisagogetter · 03/03/2006, 09:31 PM

where would I find such an animal

Entropy · 03/03/2006, 09:44 PM

Do you have a canopy to retro fit something into? You could just buy a 175w single ended bulb, ballast, mogul socket, and reflector and mount it in your canopy. If you just have the little ABS type fixture that sits on top, you will have to get a pendant. You can find this stuff at places like www.hellolights.com, www.marinedepot.com, and www.reefgeek.com. There are lots of other online places as well.

Lager · 03/03/2006, 09:52 PM

If your experience is just " Today" and just 8 posts.. I wouldnt be worrying about lighting just yet..The lil Q tips are just lil sponges..They will disappear over time.. If I were you ,, I would be hanging out in the New to the Hobby section..You can actually grow quite a few soft corals with the lighting you have right now.. Dont be so excited about spending more money on lighting, learn the basics first. Make what you have work first,,Then upgrade once you know what you want to keep.

03/03/2006, 08:45 PM	#1
harrisagogetter Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 226	help with lighting I know that I am new to this and there are a few questions about the light that I bought from a lfs. 1. I have a 20" 40w (10,000k/460 nm antinic) lamp that goes over a hex tank that I have. Is there anything that may be brighter down the road? 2. Can this light system support coral and other live rock well? I think that I have seen a few pollups on the rocks already but how can you tell? They look like little white q-tips with a stem.... 3. The tank si 24" deep which I believe is a pretty far distance, so that being said are there other ways to get a brighter light down there while keeping the 20" ballast intact? Thanks for the help Aaron

03/03/2006, 09:44 PM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Do you have a canopy to retro fit something into? You could just buy a 175w single ended bulb, ballast, mogul socket, and reflector and mount it in your canopy. If you just have the little ABS type fixture that sits on top, you will have to get a pendant. You can find this stuff at places like www.hellolights.com, www.marinedepot.com, and www.reefgeek.com. There are lots of other online places as well. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/03/2006, 09:24 PM	#2
anthworks Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,071	It really will not support much. Maybe some low light mushrooms? I would get a single 175 MH pendant w/ Power compact attinic.

03/03/2006, 09:31 PM	#3
harrisagogetter Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 226	where would I find such an animal

03/03/2006, 09:52 PM	#5
Lager Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Salisbury,NC Posts: 209	If your experience is just " Today" and just 8 posts.. I wouldnt be worrying about lighting just yet..The lil Q tips are just lil sponges..They will disappear over time.. If I were you ,, I would be hanging out in the New to the Hobby section..You can actually grow quite a few soft corals with the lighting you have right now.. Dont be so excited about spending more money on lighting, learn the basics first. Make what you have work first,,Then upgrade once you know what you want to keep.