Lighting For My Nano Reef Before I Start The Tank Up?

[craigybaby37]

Just after some advice for lighting my nano reef as i should hopefully get the tank cycling this weekend.

would a single replacement bulb for my existing light fixture in the hood of the tank be ok as i have been reading the pinned faqs and will only be keepinf fish with soft corals only in the tank as this is my first marine set up.... the bulb size is only 18" and i was shown a bulb in my LFS and it only gave out 14 watts would this be enough for a 10g rekord 60 tank....o and i also have a metal reflector fitted aswell??


if this lighting will not be alrite please could someone assist me along with getting the correct set up??

many thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

Depends, are you looking to grow corals, or not? And if so what types of corals?

 

[craigybaby37]

yes i will like to grow corals but nothing to hard for starters i was just thinkin of zooanthids , Green Star Polyps, are these soft corals??

also what would u say about a moonlight led is it a must have item or is it more for show at night??

had a fort last night....what if i got a double light unit and put 2 bulbs in both rated at 14 watts so 28 watts total and would it be sugested to have 2 diff colour bulbs like i have herd of some people doing??

 

[SkiFletch]

Even running two bulbs would be underpowered IMO... I'd look for like a 55watt Power Compact retrofit kit and install that in your current hood. Pretty sure a 55 fits in that space

 

[craigybaby37]

yea i was thinking it would be under lit to even with 2 bulbs totaling 28 watts.......so where can i buy one of these retro light units from then???


Edit....think ive sorted it out....T5 lighting....found a few bits on this website as the shop is not far from me at all

For this T5 starter it says 36watts but does not specify i have to use 36watt lamps?? will i be able to use 24watt lamps instead as i dont want a total of 72 watts lol

http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/903.html

and these are the lamps i would like to put in the starter

http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/905.html

along side with
http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/905.html

what u think then??

 

[SkiFletch]

That's what you're looking for. I'd suggest starting with a single 55watt lamp for softies. That first link you sent has a pulldown menu for 36watt or 55watt starters. Select the 55watt and then use this 50/50 (daylight/actinic) lamp in 55watts. Would solve all your problems. If possible, re-use the reflector you have

 

[Hobbit]

Hell my tank is 12 gallons and I'm gonna throw on a 96 watt retrofit kit on it. Its from hellolights.com. It a compact flueresent retrofit kit. I'm buying a good setup to avoid having to upgrade later on

 

[BigC]

The power compacts will get hot so I would suggest you get a small PC fan or similar IMO.
I have used 1 55w lamp for freshies in a rekord 70 and they burn mighty hot but a fan will sort that out
I am currently going to use 2x55w and a 36w on my new nano (see post in section) and the heat issue is prominent.
Regards
BigC

 

[craigybaby37]

well i think i have sorted out the lights now ill be going out this afternoon to get them i hope.....ime gettin a T5 light starter with a 16" 36watt bulb which has a blue moon kind of light on one side and a white daylight bulb on the other and it says its for growing/keeping corals and enhances the fishes look etc etc.......so 3 watts per gallon isnt to bad is it??

ime a bit limited to what i can put on the hood as for lighting as the nest size bulb up is a 48 watt but is 22" long and will not fit and there is only enough space for 1 bulb so unless i ditch the hood and make a new 1 myself as i am a carpenter ill be having only 1 bulb.

 

[SkiFletch]

In a tank that shallow, your setup will probably work for softies and lower light corals