Lighting for future marine tank

[yvez9]

Hey all

I've been reading up on here for a little while now and also nano-reef.com

I know nano-reefs aren't really recommended but for now, it's what I plan.

I might be using my 20 gallon tank or get a new 30 gallon tank (i think the 30 gallon will win )

anyway, I'll buy the tank bare, save for maybe a clear cover.
I'll be starting off with FOWLR but plan on adding corals with time. I'll be getting the right lighting to start off.

Is it ok to use powercompact strips for lighting? How much wattage would be necessary for a 20 or 30 gallon tank if i want nice coral growth?

I was looking at ballasts for 2x36 or 2x55 watts from ahsupply.com. Would that be enough? What degree bulbs should I get for a marine tank? 10000k?

thank you

 

[Great Lakes]

You would be way farther ahead to go with a nice Halide pendant. Like a 250w.

IF you plan on corals and other invertibrates, a pair of 55w compacts would be marginal. The same would hold true for even the T5 lights. You would really need three or four of them. That being said, the Halide would quickly become the bargain when you have to start replacing bulbs.

The folk that run stand alone halide lighting usually opt for bulb temps between 10,000K and 14,000K

GL

 

[Def]

GL, I was given the reverse argument about T5 -v- Halide bulb replacement. The guy I spoke to said that the price difference really wasn't that great.

 

[yvez9]

The more I think this over, I will probably setup a 10 gallon as a reef tank.

I take it 96 watts of lighting would be sufficient?

I don't want a big tank, just a small marine tank to get the feeling for it. I just want to keep one or two fish and a nice cleanup crew.

I'm looking at nano-reef and many people are using aquaclear filters as refugiums and set up a surface skimmer with it at the same time. I might just do something similar.

 

[Navarre]

GL, I was given the reverse argument about T5 -v- Halide bulb replacement. The guy I spoke to said that the price difference really wasn't that great.

Hmm.. partly true...

Single Ended 250w 10K bulb £37.95

D & D T5 Aquablue plus Fluorescent Tubes (32" tube) £12.70
D & D T5 Aquablue Fluorescent Tubes Aquablue A combination of 6000K and 22000K (approx) phosphor blend. It is specifically designed for reef aquariums mimicking sea water to a depth of one to twenty meters. It can also be used for growing SPS corals up to 80cm in a saltwater aquarium. The tubes can be combined with Aqua Flora for freshwater, tropical fish and planted aquaria.

Now i would imagine you need about 3 or 4 tubes across the tank.

Prices vary i know but these are just for comparison

 

[Navarre]

oops sorry, didnt read the 20 gallon tank part...
The smalles ti see tem do in the range i quoted for T5s is 24" anf this price is £11.95


And if you are going for 10 gallons then i dont recomend halides as the heat will be far too high.

 

[yvez9]

If i get the 10 gallon, I will probably just get the 96 watts system. That should be plenty of lighting right?

 

[Great Lakes]

What is the 96w system?
If you mean a single 96w bulb, they are too long. If I am not mistaken, even a 55w bulb is too long for a tenner.

GL

 

[yvez9]

Coralife 96W 20"It would be a 96 watt powercompact 50/50 system

Now I have been thinking about it

Would a single metal halide bulb be enough?
If so, what's the best temp for it ?
5500,6500,10000,14000,20000

Would 250W be enough for a 10 or 20 gallon tank orshould I get a 400W?

I'd like to be able to grow SPS, LPS and soft corals

I guess Great Lakes opinion is probably my best option....
There is a 7$ difference between the 250W and 400W
Would 400 Watts be too much for 20 gallons?

 

[sammydee]

I would have thought 400 watts would BOIL a 20 gallon unless it was a long way above, on a pendant.

 

[Great Lakes]

AS your only source of light, I would stick with the 250w.
And definitely go with a 20gal tank. The price difference is negligible and some of the more fascinating corals are not very neighborly, so to speak and will like the extra room.

GL

 

[Salt Freak]

I would go with 14000K and get the 20 gallon long for more room for corals this tank is 30 inches long 12 inches high and 12 inches deep.

 

[yvez9]

would one MH light be enough for a 20 gallon long tank?

 

[Navarre]

Yes, although you might want to suppliment the halide with an actinic to enhance the colours