Lighting Question

[sweat044]

I got a Coralife Aqualight Dual T5 Lamp High Output Fixture on a 46 Gallon Bow. I did some research and for what I want to accomplish right now I believe it is the best light. One day I will go to LED's but want to get the hobby down before I spend that amount of money. Is this adequate for the corals I have? What else would do well with this kind of lighting?​

 

[chrislorentz]

What coral do you have?

 

[Wicked Color]

thats going to be on the lower end of acceptable lighting for a tank that size, you may find zoas streaching, and any SPS will stop growing.

 

[asn-naso]

If you'd like to buy some additional lighting, and not spend a ton of money, I've got all of the lights from my biocube 29 that were used for 3-4 weeks. I built a LED retro, and replaced them.

Basically, 2 36 watt PC ballasts, endcaps, bulbs and the reflector. I also have the moonlights too. I would take $40 for the PC's, or $50 for the PC's and the moonlights.

 

[sweat044]

The Corals I have are Blue Polyp Birds Nest, Orange Digy, Mushroom and orange and green zoas. What would be the minnimum lighting required? What about LED what would work well and not break the bank?

 

[sweat044]

Someone please help? I am so confused. From the information I have gathered LED is the way to go. I would love them but I also need to eat. Others say Halies are the way to go? I am new and so confused. I am just looking for information on what you would do if you were in my shoes. The light I bought cannot be returned so I have the T5 light fixture. What else do I need.

 

[tlo25]

You're gonna need a little extra light with those corals, I would say ideally you get leds and supplement with your T5s. If cash is tight you could get a DIY LED kit. If cash is really tight, halides are pretty cheap used right now.

 

[sweat044]

Ok I am confused so I run the light from 4 pm to midnight is that enough time? Do I need to run something at night?

 

[Wicked Color]

You can run the light any time you like, no night time does not need light, 6-8 hrs of day light.

 

[Wicked Color]

I might have a fixture you can have, but you would have to come to longmont to get it.

 

[chrislorentz]

Yea better find some more light for some of those coral or they will be dead. I love my T-5's you just need more. I for one good sir am not quite sold on most of the LED's out there yet. I would say go MH or T-5. I have a 400W MH I could part with, it is alot of light some may say overkill it has however spent the better part of its life on a 46 bowfront. My 70 gallon frag tank has 2 x 400W on it.

 

[Wicked Color]

I found my 3' PC, only 1/2 of it works, I have a 4 bulb T5 on my mangroves I will sell it to you for $40.

 

[sweat044]

This thread can be closed.

 

[dvenson]

closed