Lighting for corals

loves saltwater · 10/28/2006, 03:04 PM

I have 80 Watts on 6500K lighting on my display.What corals will I be able to keep with this lighting ? Tank is 21" tall

nmprisons · 10/28/2006, 03:15 PM

This is the 75 gallon?

If so, mushrooms

nmprisons · 10/28/2006, 03:16 PM

I assumed you were talking about pc lighting

loves saltwater · 10/28/2006, 03:53 PM

Normal output fluorescent light. If this is not enough what can I do on small budget .

DiverD rufus · 10/28/2006, 05:21 PM

If it is a 75 a shop light will fit just paint black, it will hold @ more 40 watt bulbs. If that doesn't work go to aquatraders web site they have some great deals, I've got some things from them nice stuff and fast shipping.

eddie c · 10/28/2006, 09:34 PM

look into t5's retro or fixture, they aren't cheap but they are the least expensive in the long run, get the right lights now so you don't waste money upgrading later, trust me been there done that.

Nano Chris · 10/28/2006, 09:46 PM

Yeah, get the best you can afford now, or you will spend more upgrading.

ACBlinky · 10/28/2006, 09:55 PM

I agree, get the best you can. I went with PCs on my 65g because they were affordable, then added a second PC fixture because I needed more light. The corals didn't suffer, but I don't think they were thriving either. Now I'm trying to do things right from the beginning with the new tank - I just spent more than I can really afford on a MH/T5 combo fixture, but I'm happy because I know I won't be upgrading in a year.

2swift · 10/28/2006, 11:33 PM

Do it now instead of later.

michaeldaly · 10/29/2006, 05:06 AM

You can set up a MH setup quite cheaply using floodlight fittings.

loves saltwater · 10/29/2006, 09:13 AM

Thanks for all the info now the tough question.I now know I need to upgrade what wattage should I be trying to buy. I would like to stay with fluorescents if possible. I will be keeping corals with only a few fish.So If I am bitting the bullet now what should I buy.

michaeldaly · 10/29/2006, 11:05 AM

I would go with 6 55W t5 tubes if going flourecent, but I think 2 150W or 2 250W MH(depending upon what you want to keep) would be optimal

kau_cinta_ku · 10/29/2006, 11:21 AM

4 or 6 T5Ho's with quality reflectors (SLR's) will work great over a 75 gal.

loves saltwater · 10/29/2006, 05:13 PM

Does anyone use Mercury Vapor ?

michaeldaly · 10/30/2006, 11:10 AM

Mercury vapour lights are far to yellow, you tank will look terrible. I think you could use them to light a refugium though.

cristhiam · 10/30/2006, 12:05 PM

Another idea is that if you can buy a used Icecap ballast 660c you can run up to 4 bulbs, you could override the bulbs from home depot 40W 6500K (cheap). You could have a number of corals and even sps on the top. My 55 had 3 40W T12 bulbs and 1 110W actinic.

10/28/2006, 03:04 PM	#1
loves saltwater Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Katy,Tx Posts: 945	Lighting for corals I have 80 Watts on 6500K lighting on my display.What corals will I be able to keep with this lighting ? Tank is 21" tall

10/28/2006, 03:15 PM	#2
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	This is the 75 gallon? If so, mushrooms __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

10/28/2006, 03:16 PM	#3
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	I assumed you were talking about pc lighting __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

10/28/2006, 09:34 PM	#6
eddie c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 414	look into t5's retro or fixture, they aren't cheap but they are the least expensive in the long run, get the right lights now so you don't waste money upgrading later, trust me been there done that. __________________ EDDIE. "don't believe everything you think" Current Tank Info: 75g reef ready with 40 gallon trigger sump/refugium , tunze power head, vectra 2 return pump, Kessil AP9X lighting, reef octopus skimmer and have a battery back for both pumps.

10/28/2006, 09:46 PM	#7
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	Yeah, get the best you can afford now, or you will spend more upgrading. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

10/28/2006, 03:53 PM	#4
loves saltwater Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Katy,Tx Posts: 945	Normal output fluorescent light. If this is not enough what can I do on small budget .

10/28/2006, 05:21 PM	#5
DiverD rufus Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 140	If it is a 75 a shop light will fit just paint black, it will hold @ more 40 watt bulbs. If that doesn't work go to aquatraders web site they have some great deals, I've got some things from them nice stuff and fast shipping.

10/28/2006, 09:55 PM	#8
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I agree, get the best you can. I went with PCs on my 65g because they were affordable, then added a second PC fixture because I needed more light. The corals didn't suffer, but I don't think they were thriving either. Now I'm trying to do things right from the beginning with the new tank - I just spent more than I can really afford on a MH/T5 combo fixture, but I'm happy because I know I won't be upgrading in a year. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

10/28/2006, 11:33 PM	#9
2swift Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruskin,FLA Posts: 876	Do it now instead of later. __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Current Tank Info: 150g with twin FX4 canisters-Jebao 90Wave maker-2 AQUASKY Fluval Lights-AquaMaxx TS-2 Sulfur Denitrator

10/29/2006, 05:06 AM	#10
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	You can set up a MH setup quite cheaply using floodlight fittings.

10/29/2006, 09:13 AM	#11
loves saltwater Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Katy,Tx Posts: 945	Thanks for all the info now the tough question.I now know I need to upgrade what wattage should I be trying to buy. I would like to stay with fluorescents if possible. I will be keeping corals with only a few fish.So If I am bitting the bullet now what should I buy.

10/29/2006, 11:05 AM	#12
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	I would go with 6 55W t5 tubes if going flourecent, but I think 2 150W or 2 250W MH(depending upon what you want to keep) would be optimal

10/29/2006, 11:21 AM	#13
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	4 or 6 T5Ho's with quality reflectors (SLR's) will work great over a 75 gal.

10/29/2006, 05:13 PM	#14
loves saltwater Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Katy,Tx Posts: 945	Does anyone use Mercury Vapor ?

10/30/2006, 11:10 AM	#15
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	Mercury vapour lights are far to yellow, you tank will look terrible. I think you could use them to light a refugium though.

10/30/2006, 12:05 PM	#16
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	Another idea is that if you can buy a used Icecap ballast 660c you can run up to 4 bulbs, you could override the bulbs from home depot 40W 6500K (cheap). You could have a number of corals and even sps on the top. My 55 had 3 40W T12 bulbs and 1 110W actinic.