Lighting Unit Help

danb_1985

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Hi I'm going to set up an old 2 foot 60 litre tank for marine. Went into lfs with new owners since I last kept fish. They have the following
http://zsjingbang.en.alibaba.com/product/398457334-211946993/Aquarium_led_clip_lamp_3_5W.html
They said this would be ok to use and could keep coral too? I'm not convinced. Could somebody shed some light (couldn't help the pun ha)
 
hi, im new myself but i have run a 90l marine for 5 months so far, those lights will definately not work those are barely adequate for goldfish at 3.5 watt, you need to look at power compacts which start at about 36w for a split colour bulb and the longer ones are higher, i run 80watts of power compacts and 8 watt Leds together and i can keep soft corals and the most basic anemone the pink tip, if i wanted to keep hard corals and more demanding anemone i would prob need 150 watt+.

your options to look at are T5 lights which are individual tubes with a connection at each end, you would probably need about 4 the length of your tank and depending on the look to choose colours, i run 2 daylight whites an actinic and a red/pink.

power compacts are in a "u" shape with one conection at one end, you would prob need 2X36 watt minimum, i would prob get 4x36 if a had the ability (my tank is pre built hood) these can also be bought in split colours ie one side white and one side blue, so you can still achieve the same colours with only 2x power compacts.

the other choice is metal halide these are new to me but as i understand it they are the best thing since sliced bread if you want corals and anemones but they have a price tag to match and also heat the water so you need to keep the air moving under them to avoid evaporation.

thats about all i can offer hopefully someone with better knowledge will be along soon, also the old rule used to be about 4watts per gallon but as technology has improved that may be over kill but thats what i run in power compacts and my stuff is fine so far on a 90l.

Mat
 

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