Lighting Requirements

[StingrayKid]

I posted about this in this forum becuase I'm going to kind of start over with a large tank after trying out a nano-reef. It was a good experience but the tank size was not working for me. The limited fish options and the risk of disaster really didnt appeal to me after a while. Anyway, I'm upgrading with a 45gallon tank with canopy/stand. I recently bought a very nice lighting system with built in cooling along with built in moonlighting. I think it's 80watts. I calulated it out and its about 2watts per gallon. This lighting system was previously on a 10gallon nano-reef. I'm a little concerned because I spent quite a bit on it and this upgrade is going to cost me a lot as is, and I really dont want to replace this unit. I actually tried it out on an old standard 30gallon tank without water in it and it light it up pretty well. Since the standard 45gallon is kind tall, I'm a little worried that it may not be enough. I do want it to have some coral, so this is why I'm concerned.
HERE is a link to the system I bought. It's the 20" one. I plan on installing this lighting into the canopy when I get it.

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, is it a 36x12x24 aquarium like my 45 gallon? If so you could very well be limited in what you can keep. If that is the case, I would NOT try and keep any corals outside the length of the tube and I'd stick to softies.

 

[steelhealr]

Whew...that lighting is low even for softies IMO. I'm sorry the nano tank didn't work out, but, if you are considering going to a larger tank (the 45G) and you are planning on a reef tank, you are going to have to upgrade your lighting. Watts/per gallon is just a rule of thumb, not an exact science. As mentioned above, if the light does not extend the full length of the tank, you are going to lose areas of illumination. SH

 

[StingrayKid]

Well, I only have one peice of coral and its a softie, so, could I just keep it near the top until I can upgrade the lighting?

 

[SkiFletch]

probably, what are the dimensions of the tank? also, when purchasing lights, ebay ebay ebay

 

[StingrayKid]

Okay, I'm pretty sure the demensions are going to be about 36"x12"x24".

 

[SkiFletch]

you've got my tank

 

[StingrayKid]

Okay, went out to the fish store. I'm actually going to be getting a 46gallon bow front. Its real nice, and I'll have the tank basically set up by the end of tommarow. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[JJ1234567]

Well in all honesty, I think you may have jumped into this 45 gallon a little fast, with out doing quite enough research.

Now before everyone gets on me for getting on you....let me explain.

1) your tank is very narrow and tall, while great for being a "show" tank, its not very practicle for stacking live rock, fitting in coral, or allowing fish alot of swim room.

2) your tank is very deep, 18-20" is pusing it with florescent light, your light is 24" above the bottom of the tank and then a few inches higher up than that. Its not how much light that you think its getting, its how much its acctually getting.


well now that you have the biggest problems highlighted, what do you do to solve these issues?

I think you have two choices

1) keep the softie up as high as you can possibly get it, and dont add another coral until you get a new lighting unit. At that point buy a halide unit because halides have more of a punch and penitrate deeper than PC bulbs.

2) and in my opinion the best option, swap out that 45 tall and get a 40 long (48x13x13), or a 50 breeder (36x18x18), or something longer, shaller, and wider. Swapping tanks really is alot cheaper than having to jump up to halides IMO, plus it makes the tank easier to work with.

I have a 45 tall for my freshies (soon to be brackish) its a pain to clean, and work inside of. So this is just my 0.02$ Take it as you will.

good day

 

[StingrayKid]

Erm... well I said above that I did in fact change my choice in tank size and demensions. Its a 46gallon bow front. Its much more wide and not quite as high. This is not a the standard 45gallon I origionally wanted. Thanks for the concern though. I do know that I will only be stocking soft corals due to the fact I want to keep dwarf angel fishes, and they do like to nip corals. I was told from a reliable source that they did not chew softies. And yes, I do plan on keeping the soft coral high up in the tank. The demensions of the 46 bowfront are: 36x15x20

 

[SkiFletch]

little easier to work with Most pygmy angels dont nip corals, but from what reasearch I've done (asked about them recently in the fish section ) they seem to have individual personalities which may lead certain specific fish to be nippers. So, add with caution, and if you can, deal with an LFS that will take it back if it misbehaves

 

[StingrayKid]

Yeah I plan on buying all my stuff through one LFS thats the most experianced. The owner special orders any fish that you want, so, it wont be hard finding the angel right for my tank.