View Full Version : Lighting question
Saltyone
03-14-2003, 7:06 AM
What kinda of lights would be better to run in a all fish aquarium. I just wanna put an anemone or to in a little later on??
Power compact or VHO?
how many watts are needed for a standard 55 gal tank??
I run dual powerquads over my 55 and my anemone is thriving... Each one is a 96w power compact bulb and I no longer hafta run my fans (hood usta contain dual 175w halides..) Great color, nice and cool looking cuz of the 50/50 bulbs... Not a bad price either, $219 for the pair at Big Als, including bulbs which are sposta last 16 months...
One thing, if you do get the powerquads (or any power compact lighting for that matter) make DARN sure you install the cable holder as not to put any strain on the bulb's endcap... I just had one short out cuz I didn't install it... Lesson learned the hard way (almost very hard, as the thing started smoking...) =\
Saltyone
03-17-2003, 9:13 PM
see now thats not really alot of light if u got 2 96 w thats only 3 watts per gallon i was told at least 5 or 6 per gallon
slipknottin
03-17-2003, 10:05 PM
Watts per gallon is essentually useless. It doesnt take into account bulb efficiency or penetration, or the location of the photosynthetic creature in the tank.