My friend has a question....

My friend is just getting to be a saltwater enthusiast and he bought a 30 long to start off. When he bought the hood he bought one with a capacity for only one bulb (im not sure how long of a light it is) Anyways, it came with a fluorescent bulb. So he is asking whether 1 actinic bulb would be good or just stay with the fluorescent. (I, personally, would get a new hood that has the capacity for atleast 2 or more lights, but i told him that, for now, an actinic light would probably be better). He's starting COMPLETELY NEW and only has some live rock in it but, one day perhaps may get coral. He told me to post this so that he could get an array of opinions (besides mine).

peace and many thanks

Brad

 

Just do a retro CF kit with a dual bulb. They make 130w CF now. But personally I would just ditch the hood completely and get a nice light. Not only will the lighting be better but the gas exchange taking place without a closed top ( like a plastic hood ) will stabilize the pH.

 

I would go with a 4x39w T5 setup since its a shallow tank. With NO Fluorescents, at the most he could have mushroom corals, but thats about it other then fish. With T5s he would be able to have corals, with a 4x39w he'd be able to have some SPS's along with all of the LPS and soft species of corals.

 

One 40watt fluorescent bulb is definitely not enough!!! You need to determine the types of coral you would like to get before getting into the amount and types of bulbs you want!

 

thats not a 40w on a 36". its like a 28w or 32w. That if its a T12, more then likely a T8.

 

reefer is right depending on what your going to put in the tank is what you should base the lighting on but for now if he only has live rock I would go with a florecent not itinic. I new a guy that only had 15 watts and he had mushrooms and lots of corilines growing on the glass and that was a 30 gal.;D

 

Actinic helps coraline growth because you dont find coraline or much of it in shallow water, its typically found in deeper water where the bluer light penetrates.