Utah Reefs Homepage
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Opinions please
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Opinions please
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
jenjardu View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: November 21 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 62 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jenjardu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Opinions please
    Posted: February 04 2003 at 1:06pm

I am currently looking to upgrade my lighting system and have found several informative articles but was wondering what the opinions are on this forum.

I have a 30 gallon tank and will be upgrading to a sump or refugium in a few months with a reverse daylight set up.  I plan on housing mainly soft corals but would love to be able to host clams as well. 

Are metal haldies too much for my 30 gallon?

What range of watts should I be looking for?

What combinations of Kelvins are the members using? 
Back to Top
Suzy View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: January 03 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 7377 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2003 at 2:26pm
Hey,J! We are growing soft corals under plain ol' flourescent bulbs! They don't have a heat issue,they are cheap (we get them from a lighting supply store here in town) and our tank is explodng with mushrooms,wood polpys,leathers,encrusting gorgonians,blastomustos and ,of course,sun polyps!!You can get daylight and blue actnic bulbs.We do have power compacts on one side of our set-up,but the flourescent 2/3 's of the tank is where most of our harvesting takes place.Jake took some really cool pics during the reef tour.Check 'em out!!You are welcome to see our set-up anytime.We also have a really cool sump.....no protein skimmer,though!
Back to Top
Jake Pehrson View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: June 13 2002
Location: Murray, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 4279 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jake Pehrson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2003 at 10:38am

I would recommend Power Compacts.  2- 55 watt would do well.

Although it is possible to keep SOME soft corals under standard fluorescents, many will not live with such a small amount of light.  Clams especially need more light and will not live under standard fluorescents.

 
Jake Pehrson

Murray

coralplanet.com

:)
Back to Top
Jared B View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 04 2002
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 63 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jared B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2003 at 2:38pm
I second the opinion that clams will need more light.  I would suggest that you use a single 175 watt metal halide over the center of the tank with 2- 55 watt power compacts at the ends.  That way you could place your clams, and even some SPS corals if you like in the center, and still house your soft corals at the ends and around the edges.  Also remember that clams need a bit more flow to them.
Back to Top
Jake Pehrson View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: June 13 2002
Location: Murray, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 4279 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jake Pehrson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 14 2003 at 11:42pm
Some clams will do well under the Power Compacts, but many will require the Metal Halides.
Jake Pehrson

Murray

coralplanet.com

:)
Back to Top
Flaz View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: July 13 2002
Location: Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 188 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Flaz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 07 2003 at 2:33pm
I used a single 175watt MH bulb and 2 20watt fluorescents on my 30 gallon tank for about 3 years (I then upsized to a 75gal tank).  I think this light setup worked great and allowed me to keep most anything.  Heat was never really an issue but I did have 2 4" fans blowing air through the canopy...
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.250 seconds.