how much light is needed for a reef tank?

[Batmanjay28]

how much light is needed for a reef tank? What bulbs do I get and how many WPG do I need to have for corals and aonomes? (sorry about the spelling)

Could someone direct me somewhere that I can buy the lighting things that I need, bulbs, lighting system, everything? And anyother info that you might have about the lighting that is needed. Thanks

[Subliminal]

205 posts and you didn't even post your tank specs or what kind of corals you want to keep.

Tsk tsk. ;)

Seriously, though...post em. :)

[Batmanjay28]

I was going for just in general for the corals and stuff. I'm new to those things and was just wondering if I could get some help on it. I'm just wanting to setup some lighting for my tank so when I want to add those things I can.

I have a 55G tank with 75 pounds of live rock, 40 pounds of live sand, one tomato clown, 5 hermits, 2 snails, one sand sifter sea star. I setting up a sump here in the next month and I have 2 HOB filters going for water circulation.

[Reefscape]

the ammount of light needed will all depend on what coral you are thinking of having...soft, hard, nems?...

Niko

[Batmanjay28]

I was thinking of nems becuase I like the look of them. What do you suggest for nems? I plan on having 2 false clowns in the near furture.

[Reefscape]

A good strong T5 fixture or preferably metal halides 175w minimum, more if possible...

Niko

[Batmanjay28]

What about going to ahsupply.com and buying the 96watt starter which is this;
Part 40962 - 2 x 96 watt Bright Kit
Includes one 24 ounce solid-state electronic ballast (18.5"L x 1.7"W x 1"H); two 34.5"L x 4"W x 2"H multi-angle MIRO 4 polished aluminum reflectors; two moisture-resistant endcaps with cords; four steel bulb holders; one grounding power cord: wirenuts and screws needed for installation; snap bushing, cord clamps and nylon spacers; and ballast operation information and wiring diagram. Requires two 96watt compact fluorescent bulbs (not included).


And here are the bulbs that I have to chose from---96watt 10,000K Compact Fluorescent Bulb

96watt Bright Blue Compact Bulb
Use in a ratio of 1/1 or 1/2 with 10000K bulbs to achieve the marine look you want. Peak output in the 420-430nm range with almost all output between 400nm and 500nm.

96w Deep Blue 03 Compact Bulb
A Deep Blue 03 actinic bulb. Use in a ration of 1/1 or 1/2 with 10000K bulbs to achieve the marine look you want. Peak output in the 420-430nm range with almost all output between 380nm and 450nm.

need help with all of this

[Subliminal]

I have a 55g and use this fixture:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&Ntt=nova%20extreme&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

I use the 48 inch 216 watter. It has 4 plugs.

1 for fans
1 for actinics

I put those two on a timer together

1 for the 10k

I put that one on its own timer

1 for the led moonlights, which i just leave plugged in all the time.

Anyway, just a thought...seems like a solid and not too expensive fixture that requires no DIY...

[Subliminal]

Oh yeah, and I have a bubble tip, 2 kinds of mushrooms, 5 or 6 kinds of zoo's, orange digita, frogspawn, candy coral, some other stuff I'm forgetting.

Mostly softies though.

I do know a guy in the local club here has the same fixture and does fine with sps, but he recommends putting them up higher.

[Germanman]

would go strong T-5s or a nice metal halide.

[SuperScro]

With a t-5 metal halide combo you can keep just about anything, so you could basically pick out any coral you want. I have a 36" T5 and its fantastic, blows the other fixtures out of the water, other than Metal halides.