Lighting

[bitfishy]

Hi - I'm about to set up a new tank, its 5' long and 18" high (2' deep). I'm utterly confused over lighting. I don't want MH because of the heat & running costs, but I do want a tank with fairly good lighting so widen my coral options and to enable some of the lower light loving clams. Kit I currenly own are two dual T8 strips and two 55w T5 compact units. Ideally I'd utilise these in the set-up, but its not essential. I'm also hooked on the shimmer effect of the LED's so I'd add a couple of these for definate. Am I right in assuming that a couple of the Aquabeams and 4x t8 are not going to be sufficient for things like torches and hammerheads?

 

[seffieuk]

What make of tank is it?

If it is a juwel or the like you can replace the lighting with either a juwel or arcadia T5 light bar and T5 hi light bulbs with reflectors. Would be enough lighting to keep Euphyllias as long as the tank is not massively deep (woops, just noticed you siad how deep the tank is - that should be fine)

It's what is going on my five foot juwel tank I currently have T5s on my nano, the Euphyllias are growing well - they are both up high

Seffie x

 

[TigerIssey]

I have just upgraded my lighting from 4 T8 tubes (2 white, 2 Blue) where my Euphyllias were also growing fine to 2 55W PC's and 2 18w T8 actinics. I have 18" depth tank aswell, It has meant I can move th Euphyllias down more and they seem to be thriving.

 

[ben1987]

T5's arent particually brilliant for 2' deep tanks. halides get the best penetration ( god that sounds dodgy...lucky them )
LEDS arent they only light source to give the shimmer either. Halides do it. Its the surface movement on the water that does.
Twin 150W/250W halides would be my choice on this tank for a softie/lps reef.
electronic ballasts will make them more efficient too
Theres less bulbs to change less often too. Lower set up costs compared to LEDS aswel

 

[TigerIssey]

T5's arent particually brilliant for 2' deep tanks. halides get the best penetration ( god that sounds dodgy...lucky them )
LEDS arent they only light source to give the shimmer either. Halides do it. Its the surface movement on the water that does.
Twin 150W/250W halides would be my choice on this tank for a softie/lps reef.
electronic ballasts will make them more efficient too
Theres less bulbs to change less often too. Lower set up costs compared to LEDS aswel

I don't think its me, but this Marine section is getting very mucky lately. Double entendres here there and everywhere.

Ben is right though, if you want all types of coral there is, then halides do give the best pentration in a tank that deep. If you are happy to forgo certain SPS, you would be ok with what you have.

 

[ben1987]

I don't think its me, but this Marine section is getting very mucky lately. Double entendres here there and everywhere.

must be something in the water

 

[TigerIssey]

Either that Ben or the fact that the sun is out

 

[SkiFletch]

Heh, forget the double entendre's, the OP said 2' deep meaning front to back cause he said 18" tall. Frustrating turns of phrases indeed.

Anyway, with an 18" tall tank, T5's would be great. Ideally a staggered 4x54 watt T5 system with an aquabeam or two for the shimmer effect would work great.

 

[TigerIssey]

I was right originally then, I thought I had it wrong when Ben talked about 2' deep.

I have Euphyllias looking great under the same lighting as said before. Also have bubble, cauastrea and Galaxea, LPS will do fine and I have been told I can keep some SPS although not Acroporas.

 

[ben1987]

i had aquarays 18" from the sand on my old tank and stuff like hammers were ok. Wen theuy went to 2' they were not reaching the bottom aswel.
I just read it all wrong..