lighting question?????

[boom-sage]

is 2.8 watts per gallon suitable for algea growth and polyp/soft corals and if not what watt per gallon should i be at.thanx

 

[Darrell]

Usually 2-3 watts a gallon. What you have should be fine

 

[boom-sage]

ok thanx darrell

 

[Navarre]

I dont follow the watts per gallon rule (i dont follow fish inches per gallon either). The problem is the size of tank. If you have a 50 gallon tank that is only 12 inches deepthen low watts are fine for many corals. However if you have the same volume 50 gallon tank but its 30 inches deep then you are going to need stronger lights and very probably halides.

 

[Stonker]

Whilest we're on the subject, my tank is going to be 18" deep. I asssume the twin T5s will be enough for coral?

 

[Chac]

Yeah no probs stonker
I take it, at the mo you will just be keeping Softies

 

[ingo_1978]

I have a 24"(W)x18"(H)x12"(L) tank which I want to put live rock in.

Could I get away with just T8s say two 15W marine tubes with reflectors?

 

[Great Lakes]

You could get away with it, but in the long run, will have to do better.
For smaller tanks, (under 55 gallons), compact flourescents are the way to go.

On a side note, I can see it is about time for me to start working on the in depth comprehensive lighting article I have known we need, but dreaded doing...

GL

 

[Stonker]

Yeah no probs stonker
I take it, at the mo you will just be keeping Softies

Yep, but I know how this bug bites. I'll be knocking walls out next for more tank space

 

[boom-sage]

so navarre what do you think is adequate lighting for a standard all glass 5.5

 

[steelhealr]

That lighting is kinda light (pardon the pun). Watts per gallon, like Navarre said, is just a rule of thumb deal. Compact flourescents or metal halide (depending on what you plan to keep) is the way to go. And ..to Great Lakes.....yeah...the lighting post is always a pain in the u know what. There is just so much out there to try and make a recommendation. SH

 

[boom-sage]

ok ill look into that but for now im stuck with my system now, thanx steelhealr