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	Reef Lighting
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	Edited by Garofoli Hello, Currently, I am setting up a 29g tank and I am considering changing it into a Reef later on. I am looking into a new lighting hood and I need Ideas. How do these look? Which gives off better light... http://www.hellolights.com/301xcofraqcf.html (Is That Enough?) http://www.hellolights.com/302xcofraqcf.html http://marineland.com/products/consumer/con_eclipse.asp (#3) Thanks. Chris
Posted 26-Nov-2006 00:46
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	Depends exactly what corals your planning to keep. The eclipse hood uses regular fluorescents which is not really enough light for any corals and the built in filter isn't the best for a reef. Best to skip it completely. You'll probably need at least the 2nd one with the 2x65w but it depends what your putting in the tank. Different corals have different light requirements.
Posted 26-Nov-2006 04:44
jmara Big Fish Posts: 438 Kudos: 431 Votes: 145 Registered: 06-Mar-2003	I have a coralife fixture for my 29 gallon. I am very happy with it but I am only "minimally" into corals (I just have a green star polyp). It is to my understanding that if you want to do anemones and such you have to have a stronger light then a CF -Josh
Posted 26-Nov-2006 19:07
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	So the 65W x2 will be good enough for Most Anenomes? Chris
Posted 26-Nov-2006 19:17
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	2 65W power compacts will be enough for aptasia anemones. If it's anemones you want then look into a 150 W metal halide pendant with a 20,000k bulb. You'll be able to keep long tentacles, bubble tips, or probably carpets(though you may want more light for them). You won't really be able to keep anemones and other corals in a 29 due to the eventual size and aggresion of most anemones. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 27-Nov-2006 01:37
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	Anemones are tough animals to care for because of their high light requirements. Of course, those don't hold for non-photosynthetic species, but if I remember right, most of those are found in subtropical to temperate areas and need much cooler water. Unless you want to change your setup, I advise staying away from anemones altogether. They just don't do well in most home aquariums. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 27-Nov-2006 02:11
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	What about this... http://www.hellolights.com/302xcoaqpcho.html or http://www.hellolights.com/302xcofraqcf.html Which is better for Freshwater plants and whats better for coral? Chris
Posted 28-Nov-2006 20:57
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	The first is better for corals and the second is better for plants. It's because of the spectrum. Lots of stuff has been written on that. Neither of which would I recommend to someone looking to keep anemones. Like I said: get at least a 150W halide...maybe with additional PCs for actinic. If you just want softies the first link you provided in your most recent post would be ok. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 29-Nov-2006 02:19
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	Well I am going to grow Plants in the meantime but could that first one work with corals anyway, Its the same amount of light? Chris
Posted 29-Nov-2006 02:20
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	For FW plants you should use 2 6700K bubs. For saltwater you should use one actinic and one 10,000K bulb. You can have significant problems trying to run a reef system with 2 daylight bulbs and you will have problems trying to grow plants with the reef setup. The difference between the two fixtures is the bulbs, nothing more. Bulbs aren't cheap though. At my LFS they run about $35 apiece. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 29-Nov-2006 06:10
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	I think I am going with the daylight bulbs and when I get a SW tank I will probably switch that one bulb. Thanks. Chris
Posted 29-Nov-2006 14:56
jmara Big Fish Posts: 438 Kudos: 431 Votes: 145 Registered: 06-Mar-2003	Matt said: For saltwater you should use one actinic and one 10,000K bulb. You can have significant problems trying to run a reef system with 2 daylight bulbs You said: I think I am going with the daylight bulbs Did I miss something? Did Matt just not say that you should get one actinic and one 10,000K bulb? -Josh
Posted 29-Nov-2006 19:44
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	Garofoli mentioned doing plants for awhile so I'm thinking the saltwater tank is on hold for at least a few months. Which if you grow plants for a few months by the time you then get a saltwater reef setup it will probably be time to change the bulbs anyway. They need replaced about every year.
Posted 29-Nov-2006 21:52
Garofoli Big Fish Posts: 337 Kudos: 143 Votes: 27 Registered: 12-Apr-2006	Oh Okay. Thank you. Chris
Posted 29-Nov-2006 23:06


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