Mystical Lady January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 For my 30g. tank...... would this light fixture be OK or would you recommend something else. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...p;N=2004+113175 I am still alittle confused on the lighting stuff so any help you can lend me is greatly appreciated....
Jager January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 well that is a good light, however your likely to see a much better quality of light if you use individual reflectors on your bulbs. i believe a 36" retrofit kit with 4 bulbs is probably the best way for you to go unless you absolutely have to have plug and play. that fixture will be fine though for softies and LPS maybe sps in the top of the tank. but for not much more you can get individual reflectors and keep almost anything you want. www.sunlightsupply.com www.hellolights.com are two great places to check out for lighting. http://www.sunlightsupply.com/product.cfm?...ys%3D%26pgi%3D1 would be great if you had a canopy to mount them in and are while a bit more then the other fixture (if you buy 2 for 4 bulbs) youd have alot more usable light, and better growth.
dhoch January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 Before you buy lights first question to ask is: What am I planning to keep coral wise in this tank? Low light corals: shrooms, ricordia, leathers, zoos, gorgonians Medium light corals: LPS, some SPS, some clams, some anemeones High light critters: Clams, anemones, SPS Dave
Mystical Lady January 3, 2007 Author January 3, 2007 (edited) Before you buy lights first question to ask is: What am I planning to keep coral wise in this tank? Low light corals: shrooms, ricordia, leathers, zoos, gorgonians Medium light corals: LPS, some SPS, some clams, some anemeones High light critters: Clams, anemones, SPS Dave low light to medium light corals........ Edited January 3, 2007 by Mystical Lady
dhoch January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 Ok one last question before I offer some opinions... Which do you want to have: a) lights added to a premade canopy (assuming you allready have the canopy) this is the idea of a retro-fit or DIY b) a system that like the one you linked to that is completely made and all you have to do is mount to your tank or hang from the ceiling. Dave
Sugar Magnolia January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 low light to medium light corals........ Well, that cancels my suggestion for a 250W MH which is what I have over my 30 gallon cube.
Mystical Lady January 3, 2007 Author January 3, 2007 Ok one last question before I offer some opinions... Which do you want to have: a) lights added to a premade canopy (assuming you allready have the canopy) this is the idea of a retro-fit or DIY b) a system that like the one you linked to that is completely made and all you have to do is mount to your tank or hang from the ceiling. Dave I'll take "B" ... I am not much on DIY..........
dhoch January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 Well for what you are doing I would recommend a Tek T5 setup... Better build (but a little more expensive than the one you listed)... not sure ifyou need a 24" or a 36" But I would also use reefgeek: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/category_..._tek_light.html either the 4 x 39 or the 4 x 24 (depending on your tank size)... But then it's just my opinion. Dave
rrubberbandman January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 Well for what you are doing I would recommend a Tek T5 setup... Better build (but a little more expensive than the one you listed)... not sure ifyou need a 24" or a 36" But I would also use reefgeek: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/category_..._tek_light.html either the 4 x 39 or the 4 x 24 (depending on your tank size)... But then it's just my opinion. Dave If i could nicely ask what is exactly is better about this fixture compared to the CURRENT fixture....... except that they have individual reflectors.....i have the CURRENT fixture and really like it....its neat,tidy and cool running....dont even use my fan,which the tek doesnt come with. Bryan
dhoch January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 Brian (and just so it's clear, this is just opinion). There is nothing wrong with the current fixture, but the light output of the Tek light is going to be better. (because of reflectors) What this means is that compared to your light (the current) you could get the same amount of useable light into the tank using 1) Less time (=less electricity = less cost) with all bulbs on OR 2) bluer bulbs (more desierable look for most people) OR more useable light into the tank = faster coral growth, more variety of species being able to be kept = faster fragability = more frags to trade and/or sell Again it's just opinion, and there is nothing WRONG with the current fixture, just in my opinion the Tek fixture is a better purchase Also resell ability of the tek is going to be better than the current fixture if/when you decide to upgrade. Dave
Mystical Lady January 3, 2007 Author January 3, 2007 Thank you SO much for your opinion...... I really appreciate your time in helping me with this decision.... I am SO scared of making this investment(over $200) and then not getting what I need...... soooo if I get this fixture(which I will) .... the light bulbs that come with it sufficent?? 6500K ??? I will be getting the 39" fixture......so if I understand correctly, which I probably don't .... the higher the 'K' the better(bluer)???? so I should get 4 of the "39W 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent" right???? or should it be 2 of them and 2of the 6500k(daylight)?? oh wait....... now I see a 12000K bulb......... UGH..... this is what confuses me...... help??? before I go
dhoch January 3, 2007 January 3, 2007 Looks like it comes with 2 6500K bulbs... This is where it's a little more of taste than anything else... Bulbs that you should consider: Daylight bulbs ( GE 6500K, Geismann Daylight 6000K) these will give a yellow color and are best suited for quick growth and higher light corals 10Kish bulbs (ATI Aquablue 12000K, Geismann Aquablue 11000K, UV Aquasun 10000K, UV 50/50 12000K) these will give a crisp white color with crisper and white towards the 12000K bulbs and pinker near the 10000K bulb. 20Kish bulbs (ATI Blue Plus, Geismann Actinic Plus) These will give a blue cast Actinic bulbs (Geismann Acinic 03, UV Super Actinic These will give a deep blue (think dusk) type color. With two independent switches on the fixture one of the things I like to do is have a dusk->day->twlight effect (as do many others). For that pick 2 of the bluer bulbs (2 actinics or an actinic and a 20Kish) for 1 pair, and either 2 10kish bulbs OR 1 10kish bulb & 1 daylight bulb OR 1 10kish bulb & 1 20kish bulb OR 2 20kish bulbs OR 1 20kish bulb & 1 daylight bulb. But all of that is going to depend on taste... Dave
Mystical Lady January 3, 2007 Author January 3, 2007 (edited) AWESOME....... thank you SO much!!!.........again....... The explanation of the lights gives me an idea of what to expect with the bulbs........ UPDATE: just placed my order and now trying to patiently wait for the stuff Thanks again for your help!!! Edited January 4, 2007 by Mystical Lady
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