some lighting questions

[mogurnda]

Is it 3' or 4'?

If it's 4 feet, then two 250 watt pendants like this would work very well. If you want fluorescent with it, (like this) you will pay a lot more.

 

[my03]

opps, sorry bout that i was meant to say 3 ft, and it's 2 ft deep.

this is gonna be my plan, please tell me if im on the right track:

- i have discovered the concept of power compact unit now, and it seems to me these are more worth it than normal flourecents. I saw a local shop(i live in australia) that sell power compact units, that run 2x 55 watt bulbs, will this unit be sufficient for a fowlr setup with a tank my size?

- also im a bit confused with the bulbs i need to get for this unit, should i go 10k or 50/50 acintic? since the unit runs 2 bulbs, should i run different bulbs or the same? also i am getting this unit for about 100 bucks(us) not including bulbs, is this a good deal?

so, im deciding to go with a flourecent or powercompact lighting first, positioned towards the front of the tank, and further down the road, when my tank is fully established itself, i can buy a few anenome's a corals and grow them on a suspended height on live rock with lighting provided by a 150watt electeronic ballast with 14k bulb?

will these 2 ligh6ting units be sufficient for my needs? im particularly interested on feedback on the power compact unit i have in mind.

thanks

 

[wayne]

Well I tihnk 100 USD for a fitting , no bulbs is a rotten price. Do the maths.... in AUS Dollars...
150 Metal Halide + bulb
250 Metal halide + bulb
4 * T5 with bulbs
A set power compact as described above, with bulbs.

Then bear in mind with a 2 foot deep tank you'll end up going to halides anyway.
Remember a T5 is a straightened out PC with a better reflector.
Also remember PC is a dead technology outside N America, so check out what spares the guy has. Is it an AZOO unit? They're quite nice, but I didn't buy one, got T5's instead

 

[my03]

ok thabnks for the insight wayne,

ok i'll scope out t5's, but my problem is getting the bulbs, are these bulbs common and can be found anywhere?

know any good sites where i can get a good deal?

i already checked out premium aquatics and marinandreef.

the coralife power compact unit with 2x96 seems good, includes bulbs, and around 140usd what u rekon of that one..

will go back and check out t5's, thanks