Lighting Help For Newb!

beefchicken31 · 05/07/2006, 01:05 PM

I am planning on adding a pincushion urchin (Lytechinus vaniegatus) to my future 75 gallon tank. There will be no other algae eaters in this tank by the way. I know urchins eat corraline algae, but I would like to see some nice colors on the LR. I was advised that if you have good enough lighting, that the urchin will still have enough algae to graze on plus have some nice corraline algae on the LR.

What would be the minimum lighting setup for what I am trying to acheive? One problem though, I cant afford t-5, or even t-8's. I think I will just have to do the flourescent lighting thing. If I did 120 watts of 50/50 lflourescent lighting, would it do what I am trying to acheive? (50/50 lighitng will be on for 12 hours, actinic 03 lighting on for 12 hours)

Pinksteel · 05/08/2006, 04:21 PM

With regular florescent lighting I prefere to use a combitnation of 10,000k's and actinics rather than the 50/50. Another concern is that for good coraline algae growth you need to have low nitrates. But, if your nitrates are low and you have an established tank then your lighting should be good enough for some healthy coraline gorwth.

- Kyle

vishboy · 05/08/2006, 05:33 PM

I might change your lighting schedule, though. I think your tank should be okay. How long has it been running?

beefchicken31 · 05/08/2006, 08:03 PM

I havent even bought the tank yet lol.

How would you do the lighting schedule? Im all confused.....

05/07/2006, 01:05 PM	#1
beefchicken31 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 75	Lighting Help For Newb! I am planning on adding a pincushion urchin (Lytechinus vaniegatus) to my future 75 gallon tank. There will be no other algae eaters in this tank by the way. I know urchins eat corraline algae, but I would like to see some nice colors on the LR. I was advised that if you have good enough lighting, that the urchin will still have enough algae to graze on plus have some nice corraline algae on the LR. What would be the minimum lighting setup for what I am trying to acheive? One problem though, I cant afford t-5, or even t-8's. I think I will just have to do the flourescent lighting thing. If I did 120 watts of 50/50 lflourescent lighting, would it do what I am trying to acheive? (50/50 lighitng will be on for 12 hours, actinic 03 lighting on for 12 hours)

05/08/2006, 04:21 PM	#2
Pinksteel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sudbury, ON Posts: 75	With regular florescent lighting I prefere to use a combitnation of 10,000k's and actinics rather than the 50/50. Another concern is that for good coraline algae growth you need to have low nitrates. But, if your nitrates are low and you have an established tank then your lighting should be good enough for some healthy coraline gorwth. - Kyle

05/08/2006, 05:33 PM	#3
vishboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MO Posts: 676	I might change your lighting schedule, though. I think your tank should be okay. How long has it been running?

05/08/2006, 08:03 PM	#4
beefchicken31 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 75	I havent even bought the tank yet lol. How would you do the lighting schedule? Im all confused.....