Keep what I have?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by corallover87, Apr 7, 2008.

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  1. corallover87

    corallover87 Plankton

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    Feb 20, 2008
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    Hello, this is my first post on 3reef. I am having a hard time deciding whether I should upgrade my lighting or keep what I have. Right now I am using the lunar aqualight pc. They are giving me 130 total watts. I have a 40 gl mixed reef with alot of corals. They are doing fine and growing well with what I have. But im not sure it is enough. I want to be able to keep whatever I want in the tank. My tank is a hex so lighting is only 24 in long. I was thinking about the Nova extreme t5s with the 4x24(watts) but that is only 96 watts. Will that be better than what I got? Or would it be better just to stick with what I have? I was thinking about a halide but the thought of a chiller scares me.:eek:
     
    corallover87, Apr 7, 2008
    corallover87, Apr 7, 2008
    #1

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Welcome to 3reef! If you want to keep whatever you want then MH is the way to go. T5-6's have alot of room for various corals. What kinds of corals do you have right now? And what are your future plans(wishlist)?
     
    missionsix, Apr 7, 2008
    missionsix, Apr 7, 2008
    #2
  3. corallover87

    corallover87 Plankton

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    Sorry about the two threads. Just trying to figure this out.
     
    corallover87, Apr 7, 2008
    corallover87, Apr 7, 2008
    #3
  4. corallover87

    corallover87 Plankton

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    Right now I have mostly lps with some mushrooms, polyps, and a couple of softies. I would like to add some sps but im not sure if mixing those would work. But that is for a different thread. The most t5 bulbs I could find for a 24 inch fixture is only 4 bulbs.
     
    corallover87, Apr 7, 2008
    corallover87, Apr 7, 2008
    #4
  5. Scubagator87

    Scubagator87 Skunk Shrimp

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    I hear good things about the Novas, I have the 48 watt Nova extreme T5s(also 24in.). I like it alot, puts out alot of energy and doesn't increase the temp of the water so you don't have to worry about fans (i've also been told that their energy output is actually almost double the wattage, may want to consult other on this though). Also alot cheaper than metal halides. I however don't know if that's sufficient to keep some of the stuff you want to. That is for another to answer.
     
    Scubagator87, Apr 7, 2008
    Scubagator87, Apr 7, 2008
    #5
  6. tinnghe

    tinnghe Purple Spiny Lobster

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    if it is not break, then why fix it?
     
    tinnghe, Apr 7, 2008
    tinnghe, Apr 7, 2008
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  7. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

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    Silverdale, Washington
    Yep...plenty of light for those softies.

    SPS :confused:

    May have some serious toxicity issues putting them in with your current mix.

    Esp. in that size of a tank.

    IMHO...it would not be worth risk of potential (likely) problems.



    :-/


    Keep what you have & be happy.



    (what a stupid thing to say to another reefer...:p)
     
    omard, Apr 8, 2008
    omard, Apr 8, 2008
    #7
  8. Frizza

    Frizza Coral Banded Shrimp

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    :lol: Ahhhh if only it was that simple, the lure can be just too great!
     
    Frizza, Apr 8, 2008
    Frizza, Apr 8, 2008
    #8
  9. corallover87

    corallover87 Plankton

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    Would the pc still be enough for the lower half of my tank. It is about 18in deep.
     
    corallover87, Apr 8, 2008
    corallover87, Apr 8, 2008
    #9
  10. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    If your concern about MH is heat issues. I ran 2X250W +2X110VHO in a 75G tank. the light was about 4 inches from the surface. Never needed a chiller.
    I also ran a 40G hex with a 250W MH pendant and again did not need a chiller.

    If you want to upgrade I would go with a MH pendant

    J
     
    Jason McKenzie, Apr 8, 2008
    Jason McKenzie, Apr 8, 2008
    #10
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