What kind of lighting do I really need...

By the way those photos are from TD's tank.
A very nice start I amy add Tiny Dove.

 

[quote author=williamstljz530 link=board=Newbie;num=1077367476;start=15#17 date=02/22/04 at 13:10:02] Hello. I have a 55 Gal. Reef tank, I use the Coralife 4x65watt  retro-fit kit. This is (4) 65 watt power compact bulbs a total of 260watts and is 48" long. 2- actinics   2- 10,000k daylights.
it gives me 4.7 watts per gallon, 4-5 is ideal. [/quote]
[glow=red,4,300]This is more like 5.2 watts per Gallon William.
You need to account for the glass thickness which brings down the gallons of water from 55 to approx 50 and if you have sand and live rock then you will have less gallons then that.[/glow]

 

If no you dont have a canopy you can also go with coralife Aqualite 4x65 hood all you need is the legs and it sits on top of the aquarium. It is still the 260 watts and has built in fans and is cheaper than 1 250 watt MH light. @ around $200.00 all over the net.

 

I am not using a glass top on my aquarium bacause this reflects light back to the bulbs. Thanks on letting me know that I have 5.2 watts per gallon. This is even a better deal than I thought for 1/2 the price.

 

I just dont want to see anybody getting a con on lighting like I almost did. I almost went out and spent alot more than I needed too. There are alot of people that think the more you spend the better you have. This isn't always the case.

 

William right now at champion you can get 1 x 250 watt MH Ice Cap eballast with bulb for $169.
The stand offs that you can get with a PC light unit that does not need a hood or canopy may be a thought you will want to concider Tiny Dove.

 

Here is a page from Champion with the setup like William is talking about.
http://www.championlighting.com/e/e...cts/productinfo.html&item=main:pcn48465-a

 

Another thought on adding lights..

My Corallife 4XPC "moon-light" hood worked great on my 55 gal. tank.

May sound "blasphemous" to some, but you can save lots of money if you choose not to provide full lighting to whole tank. - Lots of great reeflife does not like or do well under high intensity lights.

Keep exsisting PC's and add only one HQI Metal Halide pendant to one side for highlight rqmt critters, and those that do better with less on other side -

But, be there no doubt, even after just a couple of weeks, I can tell BIG DIFFERENCE in growth response under added MH lighting.

HQI's have a much smaller "foot-print" and can easily be added to in future if so desired - equip/bulbs much much cheaper also.

FWIW

OmarD

 

HQI's, Scott to you has a picture with this setup?

 

@Nautilus, re: Pic of lighting setup

Sure:

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250W PFO Pendent/ 250W 10,000K XM HQI Bulb​

Bulb: $52 from Inreef.com

OmarD