ready to upgrade lighting - have some questions...

[salty420]

I'm finally ready to upgrade the lighting on my 37 but need some help please!
I am looking for lighting that will support soft corals and an anemone. I really need something for my clowns to host and would like a bta or something for them. I don't know exactly how many wpg I will need, I think 3-4? I have an exclipse lid that I'd like to try to modify to keep the 2 bulbs (2x20w) and add 2 more. If I can't do that I'd just ditch the lid and go open topped. I'd LOVE some help deciding what to buy and maybe where you got yours (cheapest possible!). I was thinking T5's but they are just HO not VHO, right? If so would it be better to go with PC's or MH? I'd like to avoid MH tho... I'd really like to get something that will use less energy and put of the least amnt of heat. Any advice and help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Nolapete]

Check ahsupply.com

 

[Grins]

From what I've read the watts per gallon rule is a bit misleading at times just like the fish per gallon rule can be. A MH is going to use lots of watts to power it where an energy efficient T5 is going to use less.

A soft coral won't need much lighting but an anenome needs a lot so you'll have to light the tank for it. If you have a long tank versus a high I think you can get away with the T5s but I'd suggest you get ones with individual refelctors. IceCaps have a good rep and you can find them at several marine dealers. I'd start with www.reefgeek.com

 

[ricsreef]

PC's run cooler and will be fine on your 37,I have a friend with the coralife 4-65w system on his 55,and his corals are growing good.He keeps his light lovers in the top half.
I also agree with Grins ,the watts per gallon is just a general rule.

 

[salty420]

so what's actually stronger the T5's or the PC's? the tank is an eclipse so pretty tall not long...

 

[Grins]

The T5s. But get ones with individual reflectors

 

[ricsreef]

T-5's are HO so they should have stronger output than compacts,but I am no expert on either one.I'm sure Niko can tell you all about that.Europe had T-5's way before available in US.They were developed in Germany.I have two 90w-5500k PC's on my refugium its a 29g and they work great.

 

[salty420]

ok so T5's are HO which is obviously different than VHO's... to keep an anemone in my tank would the T5's (with reflectors) be sufficient? i'm actually not sure if i could get T5's with enought watts...

 

[Grins]

I've heard of success with them but I'd defintely start with trying to place the nem towards the top 1/2 of the tank. Remember that the watts are misleading on the T5s because they are energy efficient.

By the way, are you open to MHs if you find a good deal? You only need one per 2 feet of surface. They often can be found at good prices used, that is how I got mine.

 

[salty420]

well obviously if i got the mh's i'd have to ditch the hood which i really don't want to do but will probably have to anyway... i just feel a mh would be too expensive and hot to run. if i found a good deal it would not be out of the question tho.