Newbiee needing Lighting Help

I

ilcapo

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Nov 30, 2003
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Ive been on the site reading and researching for awhile now but its time to but my knowledge to work and create my first saltwater tank

Im gettin a 90 gal tank...and I'm new to the Reef subject...... i know there is need for alot of light and certin light for them to live and grow..

Now ive read that for most pop reef needs about 2-4 watts for every gallon so for a 90 that would be 360 watts, soo ill be goin with 400 watts..... but is that 400watts for each bulb or can the 400 watts be divided into 4 bulbs?

Ill be Creating my own light system inside my canopy any advice or list of components to achieve 400 watts .... I havent found a great DIY site for lighting systems for reef tanks does anyone know any??

Also will pre-drilling my tank have any benifits when takin care of reefs?? Ill be buying two powerheads for just my tank and have them run off a timer to get that more natural ocean like enviorment for my fish and reef


im in the process of creating my wet/dry system right now with an old tank thats been lying around and acrylic.... ill keep everyone posted on my progress and put some pics up as soon as i get thing done

Please Give me your input on anything u think i can inprove or fix thanks

Joe
 
Your wattage can come from one or several bulbs.
Don't get hung up on wattage numbers though- all lighting is not equal.
With a 24" deep tank you need to be concerned with how well the light will penetrate the water. Metal Halides penetrate best, T5's next, then VHO, PC and normal flourescent.

Which type you choose depends on many factors including heat output issues, electricity costs, and initial investment.
But the very first question that needs answering is what you plan to keep under this lighting. Recommendations for a softie tank would be very different than for a SPS dominated tank.

Retro kits can be purchased from any number on online vendors- but first take the time to really decide what it is you want to keep in your tank.
Lighting is the most difficult choice :cool:
 

Lighting is the most difficult choice [/QUOTE]

well since its my first time takin care of reef, i want to start with a softie tank...maybe upgrade later on once i have more hands on experence...... i was thinkin that 4 10,000k bulbs would penatrate to the bottom of a 25' (hieght) tank... how does that sound?
 
It depends on the type of bulb. If the 4 bulbs you had were 2 - 10K 250 watt Metal Halide Bulbs and 2 - 10 K 55 watt Powercompacts for actinics I would say they would penetrate fairly well. My opinion only but I started out with just a Power compact light setup. After two months I ended up purchasing another setup that included Metal Halides and Power compact so I now have almost 500 watts but I basically paid twice. I would suggest starting with the Metal Halides because I think once you get going you are going to want to go to them shortly. I might also suggest that you check ebay for a complete light setup. Because after it is all said and done you can sometimes by a complete setup for cheaper than building your own and still get exactly what you want. I got mine on ebay from petsupplyliquidators and I am very happy with it.
Doug
 
Thanks everyone for ur help....i got a good deal with PC light from a local shop that is selling me my tank the light is 48' long two lights blue and white.... with metal reflectors for $80 ...i was thinking of mounting it in a canopy and mounting Led in there to...or maybe more lights.....So im just goin to jump on that deal
 
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