lighting

[Kodiak]

I have a 30g SW with 40lbs of live rock. I also have 2 turbo snails and one red legged hermit, and a scarlet hermit. and a purple stripe Pseudocromis

The tank has a canister filter with a power head, and a 10volt lighting system (i know it sucks )

I want to start to grow corals, and to help get more algae colonies on my LR. Im lost when it comes to lighting. i dont know what to get so it will fit, how much i need or what kind. moonlight and all that stuff. i have no idea what it all means. someone please explain everthing i need to know about lighting. how much it will cost and what kind i need to get.

[ooja3k]

Im sure there are lots of nice articles out there explaining everything you need to know about lighting...

Ultimately it boils down to what kind of corals you would like to keep.

The lighting options are:
1. Power Compacts (least expensive, least intensity)
2. Standard T-5 Fixture (more expensive, high intensity)
3. Individually Reflected T-5 Fixture or Retrofit (more expensive, higher intensity)
4. Metal Halide (most expensive, highest intensity)

Softies are the lowest light requiring coral. They include: Mushrooms, Zoanthids, Palythoas, etc.. Lighting Options are: 1,2,3,4

The next level up from there would be LPS (Large Polyp Stony). These corals require a little higher level of light than the softies. LPS include: Frogspawn, Torch Coral, Hammer Coral, Trumpet Coral, Acans, Blastomussas, and other fleshy things that live in/are attached to a hard skeleton. Lighting Options: 2,3,4

The next level up from there is the Small Polyp Stony variety. A few common species are: Montipora, Pocccilipora, Acros, and a bunch of others... These corals are more difficult in general to keep than their LPS or Softie counterparts. Lighting Options: 3,4

There are some that would be considered softies for instance that actually require more light than the others in that category. A few examples would be xenia or leather corals. They would need light similar to the LPS variety.

I would start by figuring out if your 30 gal tank is a 30 high or a 30 long. (Different Lengths)

[dilbert]

Many people start with the easier to keep and less light demanding corals and when they are happy with them and then get bored with them then they upgrade to more light demanding species.

If you don't want that but start with a final setup then get yourself first some info about the corals you would like to keep and overall some info about the compatibilty between different species.

The downside of the usual approach with getting first the simpler species is that they often are more aggressive towards other corals and tougher and they might release toxins to attack the SPS and LPS.

So it's more headache to upgrade than select your corals from the beginning.

Then you will also know what's your final setup on light.

[Kodiak]

anyone got a site for lighting?

i think im gonna get compact lights, or T5, depends on cost...

ooja3k thanks alot, that helped a ton

[Peg_legs]

http://www.reefgeek.com/
is a site that gets recommended a lot on another forum

[Kodiak]

i was thinking of geting something like this...
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/24_inch__2x24W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_by_ATI

I understand the 24'' is for the length of the tank, whats the 2x24 mean?

And for the T5, which is better than the Power compact, they are like the same price? whats up with that...

#1 power compact http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Power_Compact_Fluorescent/Hamilton_Technology/Deluxe_Fixtures/24_inch__ABS_Hood:_2-55W_Powercompacts_by_Hamilton_Technology

#2 power compact http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Power_Compact_Fluorescent/Hamilton_Technology/Retrofit_Kits/24_inch__Retrofit:_2-55W_Powercompacts_Dual_Control_by_Hamilton_Technol ogy

whats the difference between the power compacts.. I need alot of help on this issue, thanks in advance..

[Kodiak]

If i got that second, cheaper power compact, how would i pick out bulbs for it?

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Power_Compact_Fluorescent/Bulbs/

just by length? like the 22'' ones?

Another thing, if my tank isn't exact dimensions will i still be ok with over or underhand?

I would really appreciate some help

[ooja3k]

So your 30gal tank is 24" Long?? If so a 24" t-5 fixture would be perfect for you.

If you went with the ATI powermodule 24" 4x24 you could basically keep anything you want in that tank...

The ATI Powermodule is the highest-end T-5 fixture on the market. (Other than retrofits with hand selected components.)

The 2x24 or 4x24 or 6x24 or 8x24 etc, means that there are either 2,4,6, or 8 bulbs each at 24 watts. So a 4x39 would mean 4 bulbs, 39 watts each..

If you read through the description of the powermodule, it gives you a sizing guide to go by. The fixture you selected the 2x24 would be ok for a 30gal softie tank, but nothing more than that.

If you have the dollars, a 24" Powermodule 4x24 would be your best option. You could keep SPS pretty much anywhere within your tank with that fixture. The thing about a 30gal tank is if it is 24" long it is pretty tall (I think...) This extra height could really benefit from the individual reflectors.

If you don't have the big bucks for that fixture, i would recommend the 24" 4x24 Nova Extreme. This T-5 fixture does not have individual reflectors. (The ATI powermodule does, thus the increased light intensity).

Here is the link to the Nova,
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772

With the Nova Fixture, you may or may not be able to keep sps up high in your tank.. (I can in mine because my tank is shallow for a 30gal.) But if you are just getting into corals, it would not be advisable to do sps right out of the gate... Does that make sense??

Long Story short, the 2x24 powermodule would work for softies, but the 4x24 nova extreme would get a solid amount of light, without breaking the bank. The 4x24 powermodule would be the greatest option, but by far the most expensive...


I probably just confused you more, but hope this helps!

[ooja3k]

Also, the powermodule does not come with mounting legs so it would have to be hung.

I would definitely recommend not getting one of those way over priced PC fixtures from reefgeek.


I would recommend the nova fixture over your other options. And for the money, it cant be beat. I would vote for the 24" 4x24 Nova Extreme

[Kodiak]

ooja3k, you have been a huge help...

Money is a huge thing for me, i'm a high school student and have to pay all my own bills, so i really don't have much to spare. In about 2 weeks i could get together 200+ dollars.

Then corals i want would be some... zoas( the little flower things i think, u have some in your girls tank, they are green and pink i think) I want anemias(i think i spelled it wrong, the thing clowns host) and some other easy and cool corals.. That nova t5 could work great...

What do you think about the power compacts... such as
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Power_Compact_Fluorescent/Hamilton_Technology/Retrofit_Kits/24_inch__Retrofit:_2-55W_Powercompacts_Dual_Control_by_Hamilton_Technol ogy

or should i just save for the T5, whats the pros and cons of them both..

[ooja3k]

Also, that second compact flourescent fixture is a retrofit kit and must be mounted in a canopy. My guess is that is not waht you want.

[ooja3k]

you would not be able to keep an anemone with power compacts...

[Kodiak]

ignore that last post....

That nova looks good to me, i am going only off what you have told me btw, so its basically your call..

What could i get with that T5 in my tank?

And whats up with daylight/lunar/ and all that moonglow and stuff


EDIT: runs off to measure tank...

[Kodiak]

couldn't find a tape measure, i am gonna say 14-16 in deep. 24'' long... thats how long the bulbs i get for when it was a fresh..

[Kodiak]

im ordering that light today. :headbang2: