What lights to use?

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Nov 12, 2003
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I'm changing my 75 gal FW tank to a SW. The tank is 24 inches deep. I have everything except for the lights. I am not sure what is best for my setup, MH or PC. I will be starting with "The Package" from Tampa Bay Saltwater, and want to keep it a reef tank. I want to build the lights myself to save $$$ needless to say. I have researched to the point that I am confused on which way to go. I could use some help!!!
 
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I'm outfitting a 90 gallon reef tank (24" deep) right now myself- and using a TBS package to start off as well.
The lighting you choose depends on what you eventually plan to keep. I have a long term goal of keeping clams, so that influences my thinking.
Do you have any critters in mind? Corals? Clams?

I have PC's on hand already so that is what I am using initially- say for the first 3-4 months anyway. I'll have 220 watts of PC's plus 80 watts of NO actinics. I plan to let my tank simmer for a bit to build up my pod population and think these lights will do for that.
But I know (and am already shopping) that I will be needing more powerful lights in a few months when I begin adding things.
I'll be going with two 250 w MH's- unless I find amazing stories about how well the T-5's are performing.
 
The corals and macroalgae that will arrive with the package will be quite happy under PC lighting. Whether you want to go to metal halide depends on whether you want to keep soft corals, stony corals or clams.
 
I definitely want to go with corals & clams down the road, so I will have to go with MH. My tank is built into the wall with a ton of space behind (an entire room). The heat factor shouldn't be a factor since I can put very large cooling fans in. I can make any kind of hood that I want. What will be better...175, or 250? My sister in law works for a very large lighting dist. so I can purchase anything at wholesale (lucky). Also, what range of bulb should I get...6500, 10,000, or 20,000? The tank is approx. 24 inches deep.

Next question: What actinics would be best? I am not sure that I completely understand the difference between 50/50, actinic blue, and 03. Is it best to have VHO, or is PC better?

I have had FW tanks for 20+ years, but this will be my first stab at SW. I have been reading everything that I can get my hands on for the last 9 months, and just about everything contradicts one another!!! I came across this website and read it approx. 2 hours a day!!! You guys are great!!! I just figured that I could get the straight scoop here.

Many Thanks!!!
 
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I too am in the same boat.

I will have a fish room mounting a 120 gallon (48x24x24) - facing into the family room - that I will want to put some clams and corals into. I am still working on the hard or soft decision, but am under the assumption that I should start with soft.

In one book (John Tullock - Natural Reef Aquariums) the 50 gallon Clam lagoon example has only two 175 watt 10K Metal Halides. Livestock includes the clams and Acropora plus some soft corals.

The 120 gallon stony reef example has two 175 watt 10K metal halide and then 2 40 watt actinics. Acropora are present here too.

The two tanks, I am assuming standard sizes since no mention is made otherwise) differ in depth only by 4 inches.

FWIW- I kept salt water before, but this was in the late 1970's and things have changed just a little bit since then. Otherwise I have had freshwater tanks of various types for the last 30 years).
 
????

I was hoping for a reply to my last series of questions...I know that it is Christmas, and I am very patient. The only thing that is keeping me from setting up my new SW tank is the lights, so I would really like to get going!!! Can anyone answer my questions concerning the actinics????????????????????
 
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