Lighting

[fOnCo]

I have just begun to start a reef tank. I have had a FOS for about two years and know that the lights I have in there are about a year old. I plan to get corals and fish but don't know what kind of lighting is right.
I have a 125 gallon Tenecore and have two 48" floresent bulbs in there now. I have read that T8 and atonic 03 are good but just can't get any straight answers. Also I have only two spots to put lights and I heard that you neeed something like 3 watts per gallon--is that true? Will I need to have more than two floresents or do they make a stronger watted 48" bulb?

 

[blout]

T5s are better than T8 and 150w halides are better than T5s but really its all about the money i personaly use T5s cos i cant afford halides and my tanks fine (100g)

 

[impur]

You will need much stronger lighting if you want a reef. T5s are a good option, providing a good amount of light at a lower cost than MH. If you want to keep SPS corals and clams, you really need MH. They can survive under lesser lighting, but will not thrive. In that tank i would go with at least 3 250w MH or even better 3 400w MH.

How much are you wanting to spend. Lighting is the single most important part of a reef, so skimping on the lighting just won't cut it.

 

[Great Lakes]

I amost answered, then realized you said Tenecor. and also mentioned 4' lights.
My first vision was a standard 6' lon 125 gallon.
But you must have the 4x2x2 eh?

The most bulletproof suggestion I can give for this size would be to build a canopy if you don't have one yet.
The get an icecap 430 ballast to run a pair of 4' VHO actinics, and a ballast that will run a pair of 250w metal halides.

GL

 

[blout]

that sounds great GL i might give it a go but where do you get the stuff from remember im in the uk

 

[Great Lakes]

Hey, I can't help it that you are on the wrong side of the pond...

I am sure Navarre or someone from your neck of the woods can stop in and help out there.

GL

 

[Navarre]

Um... i can try

If anyone wants effective and extremly cheap halides then i can priovide a link (if im allowed to post here) or i can PM the link.

WHen i mean cheap im talking about 10k or 20k halides 400w for about £125 (including bulb)

250w are even cheaper.

 

[Great Lakes]

You can post a link to a supplier Navarre. No big deal.

GL

 

[Navarre]

OK thanks.

Coral Garden

Check out the Aquabays here. Not the prettiest set of lights in the world but they do the same job.
I have a 400w over my tank and with the new project im going to build a canopy to hide the light units so it really doesnt matter n their looks in my situation.

Not as pretty i grant you but when you are saving £300-£400 then its worth considering.

The shop in question offers excellant mail order and a si mple phone call is all thats needed should anyone have any questions. (Steve at coral garden is extremly helpful).

Hope this helps anyone in the UK who might be interested in getting halides but only thought they could be purchased through getting a 2nd morgage)

 

[leon]

I paid alot more than that , i have the arcadia series 3 pendants which were £600+ if i remember, next tank will be done cheaper and better, now i know how to set-up a tank now! .
Q. The lights i have are 150w 14k's, can i replace them for a higher wattage, ie. for eg 250w, will it damage the system?
leon

 

[Navarre]

Its possible (though not probable).
If you upgrade to more pwoerful lights then its best to let the corals get used to the stronger lights or they can go into "shock" and die.

The best way to do this is to simply run the lights on a reduced number of hours for a week or so then gradually increase the hours back to your nomral lighting schedule

 

[leon]

Navarre, are you refering to my Q.? (150w to 250w), i meant would changing the bulbs damage my lighting unit?
leon.

 

[TBLightningFan]

http/www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNum...elationship=283

Is something like this effective at all???

 

[blout]

I paid alot more than that , i have the arcadia series 3 pendants which were £600+ if i remember, next tank will be done cheaper and better, now i know how to set-up a tank now! .
Q. The lights i have are 150w 14k's, can i replace them for a higher wattage, ie. for eg 250w, will it damage the system?
leon

ive already chated to steve and by god he does a good deal 2 250w halides with all the bits except wire for only £230 smackers, i spent a tenner more to have a T5 arcadia unit DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Navarre]

) Leon: Sorry i think i missunderstood your question. If the unit is 150w then you cannot use a more powerful bulb. To use a 250 bulb then you need a unit that runs on a 250w ballast i m afraid.