Lighting questions?

Hey guys I'm planning a 35 gallon flat-back hex reef that is 16.5 inches what types of lighting do I need? T5 HO,MH,or LED's? I'm looking to keep a SPS these are low-moderate lighting corals right? (I'm new to all this lol)

 

SPS are generally considered high light demanding corals, especially most Acorpora. I would also not start with those types of corals as a beginner. I would get my feet wet first, so to speak.

You can go with MH, T5 or LEDs on this tank and keep anything you want coral wise, more or less.

It really comes down to personal preference.

Halide will give great growth, but will create more heat and cost more in electricity and bulbs ($50-80 each every 8-10 months). I currently run a halide.

T-5 has great color and growth. Doesn't create as much heat as halide, but more than LED. Bulb replacements can be pricey ($20 each every 8-12 months).

LED has great color and good growth. Cheaper electricity bill and little to no heat. No bulb replacements, theoretically.

Most halide and LEDs will require a hanging kit to hang from the ceiling or a canopy. Most T-5 units come as a unit that can be rested on the tank edge. My suggestion is to buy a light that will suit you for any corals you will want. I have upgraded 3 times (Went t-5 to LED to halide). Had I just bit the pullet and bought a quality unit up front, I would have saved money long term.

 

+1^^ pretty much sums it up!

 

Lol I think there called SPS I'm talking about mushrooms and softies, thx for the Info, how many watts do I need for my tank any websites and or brands that won't be too expensive and suit the job.

 

SPS is a reefing term for Small Polyp Stony corals, such as Acropora species, Montipora species etc. Mushrooms and softies don't fall under that category. Those are often refereed to as mushrooms and softie.

Like I said, if I were you, I would invest in a quality light upfront. You may not won't SPS and the like now, but most people end up wanting to add them down the road. If you go the cheaper route upfront, you're limiting yourself long term or spending more long term. Believe me, I've been there. I spent $500 on 4 lights in 3 years when I could have just bought a quality one to begin with.

What are the dimensions of your tank and what type of lighting would you prefer?

 

Yeah I think your right, the tank dimensions is a 16.5 in tall and 36in wide flat-back hex I'm thinking of T5's or LED's

 

What is you maximum dollar you are willing to spend on lights? There are a lot of options.

 

$100-$125?

 

You'll be hard pressed to fine a quality unit in that price range unless you go with an EBAY t-5 light (I owned one, bulbs randomly cut off and it always smelled like hot plastic). Rapid LED has a DIY unit for $350 that's designed for a 40 breeder (36" long). Reef breeders has a $180 unit that would work well and a $310 and $330 unit that would be even better.

You're looking at about $250 for a quality t-5 unit before you even buy quality bulbs to replace the stock bulbs. I don't think 2-bulbs would be enough on your tank.

 

DAM this is getting really expensive really quick my budget was $400 and now all the other stuff excluding lights is adding up to $528