Lighting an AGA 65Gal Tall

highflyer885 · 11/08/2006, 11:47 AM

Helloall,

I have an AGA 65Gal tall tank that I'm just setting up.
I've custom built the cabinet and hood with intention to run NO tubes as I am new at saltwater and this is going to be a FOWLR, with some easy to keep zoos or other soft corals.

Everyone I've talked to has said to put in better lighting for future use. This brings me to my question.

Do I need anything stronger to be successful with what I plan on keeping now?
Is it going to make much of a diff if I go to VHO instead of NO...there isn't too much of a price diff for the tubes.

If I install the lamp holders on my custom hood is there a min. height that MH should be about the water, since right noe the NO are sitting 3" about the glass top, or 5" above the water level?

Any feedback appreciated

thanks

Dubbin1 · 11/08/2006, 12:39 PM

It you are going to be keeping any corals then get better lighting. Most people keep their MH's around 8" off the surface. Have you thought about T-5s?

markandkristen · 11/08/2006, 01:15 PM

dito dubbin

one nice thing to do is see other reefers lights.
its hard to go by just what people say i have vhos right now with mhs.
i later want to upgrade to t5s. they have more color variations and the bulbs last 2 years.

i also saw them in person which helps.
vhos arent bad ........but i love t5s

11/08/2006, 11:47 AM	#1
highflyer885 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brampton, Ont. Canada Posts: 39	Lighting an AGA 65Gal Tall Helloall, I have an AGA 65Gal tall tank that I'm just setting up. I've custom built the cabinet and hood with intention to run NO tubes as I am new at saltwater and this is going to be a FOWLR, with some easy to keep zoos or other soft corals. Everyone I've talked to has said to put in better lighting for future use. This brings me to my question. Do I need anything stronger to be successful with what I plan on keeping now? Is it going to make much of a diff if I go to VHO instead of NO...there isn't too much of a price diff for the tubes. If I install the lamp holders on my custom hood is there a min. height that MH should be about the water, since right noe the NO are sitting 3" about the glass top, or 5" above the water level? Any feedback appreciated thanks

11/08/2006, 12:39 PM	#2
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	It you are going to be keeping any corals then get better lighting. Most people keep their MH's around 8" off the surface. Have you thought about T-5s?

11/08/2006, 01:15 PM	#3
markandkristen Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Winterhaven, fl Posts: 4,081	dito dubbin one nice thing to do is see other reefers lights. its hard to go by just what people say i have vhos right now with mhs. i later want to upgrade to t5s. they have more color variations and the bulbs last 2 years. i also saw them in person which helps. vhos arent bad ........but i love t5s