Lighting Opinion/Help.

[wazupjames]

Ok, so I am new to Saltwater aquariums. I have always wanted saltwater but after extensive research I found it was better for me to have freshwater for a few years before tackling saltwater. I am ready to buy my first saltwater set-up. I was going to buy it piece by piece and put the tank setup together. After looking around I decided I may go with a nano cube. I was going to buy the Nano Cube 28-gallon CF-QUAD but I have a quick concern on lighting. I have done research on lighting so i understand the differences in all of it but I dont have the experience. So, my question is this - the Nano Cube 28-gallon CF-QUAD that I was thinking of buying comes with 10,000°K/7,100°K combo lamp and (4) Nite-Vu LED lighting. Then I saw the 28-gallon Nano-Cube HQI Aquarium with 150 watt 14000°K HQI metal halide lighting and (4) Nite-Vu LED's. When I was going to piece my tank together I was going to use T-5 lighting. Am I going to notice a huge difference between these lighting combinations? Will I be fine with the 10,000°K/7,100°K combo lamp? I am going to have a few fish and live rock. I am not looking to go too crazy on the reef portion of the tank.

Thank You in advance
James

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum WazupJames.
When you get your lighting system, you will need to decide up front whether you are buying lights for freshwater plantings or coral growth. High intensity lighting with a high temperature spectrum is more appropriate for the corals while a lower temperature spectrum is a better choice for plants. 150W of light over a freshwater tank, even if you got the spectrum right, would be an invitation to extreme algae growth in a 28 gallon tank.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, agree with OM47, I believe you have been influenced a fair amount by things related to saltwater lighting. I believe those lights attempt to recreate "noon sun over an ocean coral reef," which would be quite different than "morning sun over a shaded amazon freshwater stream." Algae would be everywhere!

One of the first decision points in freshwater lighting is whether you intend to take on the additional aspect of developing a "planted tank." Or whether you intend to first focus on a basic freshwater fishkeeping aquarium with some live plants being a side aspect. A heavily planted tank is a doable thing if you set your sights on it and can afford the equipment and materials but its good to be aware early on that it can almost be thought of as a separate hobby.

You are very lucky to have stumbled across this great set of forums before actually commiting yourself to an approach or to the initial expensive equipment. To the extent that you have the luxury of time to study up, you should be able to get closer to your ultimate goal.

~~waterdrop~~