New, and need help!
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19213
Printed Date: October 12 2025 at 1:29pm
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Topic: New, and need help!
Posted By: yanitzu
Subject: New, and need help!
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 1:44pm
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I am new to saltwater aquariums. I need to buy a new light for my 36gal bow front tank. (30") There are so many different types. Can someone help me find a good light that won't break the bank. I only have fish, sand and rock for now, but would like to add corals. Thanks in advance.
Justin
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Replies:
Posted By: bimmerzs
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 4:52pm
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Hi,
It's usually a good idea to research the type of corals that you like and plan to keep(SPS, LPS, etc.), once you determine that...then that will help dictate your lighting requirements. What type of lighting do you currently have??
Cheers! ------------- Ron C 150G CUBE,390W Custom 9 spectrum LED's, Bubble King Cone Skimmer, Vortech's, APEX handling full tank automation |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 4:57pm
If you're looking for something that isn't too expensive, but you can keep corals under, Power Compacts are great! You can keep most softies and some LPS under them, if you're looking more into SPS you'll need something more intense. I've been using them for about 6 months on my tanks, and love them! Anyway thats my two cents 
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: GARFVolunteer
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 5:50pm
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No matter the contents of the tank, I would set up the system with 75 watt URI VHO bulbs using either an IceCap 430 or a URI A4 ballast.
This will allow you to have between 2(soft coral) and 4(SPS) bulbs on the system.
2 bulbs - 1 Super Actinic & 1 Actinic White
3 bulbs - 1 Super Actinic, 1 Actinic White, & 1 Aquasun
4 bulbs - 2 Super Actinic, 1 Actinic White, & 1 Aquasun
Thanks,
Scott ------------- President Idaho Marine Aquarium Society A fair and biased reef hobbyist "How do you make poor people rich by making rich people poor" Rush Limbaugh on Obama taxes |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 6:46pm
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Scott, do all of the VHO have built-in reflectors or just the actinics?
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: GARFVolunteer
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 6:50pm
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I always buy the URI bulbs with the internal reflectors(all bulbs types both VHO and NO). I know they manufacture some bulbs without but I have never used them... Thanks,
Scott ------------- President Idaho Marine Aquarium Society A fair and biased reef hobbyist "How do you make poor people rich by making rich people poor" Rush Limbaugh on Obama taxes |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: July 09 2007 at 7:34pm
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That was quick. Thanks! Mike ------------- |