lighting..... should i upgrade?

[SaltyNewbie]

I have a 29 gal (30" long) tank that has the following: 2 common clowns, 1 blue damsel, 1 red algae hermit crab, 1 horseshoe crab, 1 emerald crab, 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 reef lobster, 1 feather duster, 1 sebae anemone, couple margarita and turbo snails, 1 green serpent starfish, 25 lbs LR, CC base, Fluval 204, prizm skimmer, and coralife 50/50 lighting.

1. My question is, should I upgrade to more powerful lighting?
2. Would this be a large benefit to what I already have in the tank?
3. If I want to add corals, what should I remove?(all of the crabs?)
4. What type of light/brand do you recommend for my setup?

Thanks in advance...

 

[LX302]

You mention you have a coralife 50/50 lighting fixture.
I assume this is PC lighting. How many watts is this fixture?
What type of corals do you want to keep? For corals the more lighting the better.
We can help you more after you post some more info.

Not sure on the crabs.

 

[liquid]

Since you already have an anemone, I'd probably upgrade your lighting right now. Anemones need way more light than a normal output coralife 50/50 bulb. I'd probably look at either some of the new T5 lighting or halides depending on what corals you want to keep.

Shane

 

[reefsnreptiles1]

Since you already have an anemone, I'd probably upgrade your lighting right now

Agreed! I would look at a single halide (either a 175 or 250 watt).

 

[cdeakle]

You need to upograde your lighting asap friend!

You can get a good cheap starter 75 watt Metal Halide retrokit w/bulb at aquaticlight.com

 

[SaltyNewbie]

The coralife 50/50 bulb is 20 watts. Will the new lighting fixture fit in the same place the old light sat, or do I need to buy a new cover too? I am not sure what corals I want to purchase yet. I was just starting to think ahead for what I would need for a healthy reef aquarium. I have about 180 bucks to spend so let the suggestions roll in..... Do I want to go with 2 bulbs or 1.... or 1 regular and 1 actinic? Sorry for all the questions...

 

[Anonymous]

Check out the online stores at the sponsor link and get a metal halide pendant(175 watts if you have summer heat issues or 250 watt w/o heat issues). They will support everything you have and more.

 

[SaltyNewbie]

I've been talking with a guy at the lfs and he says I should get (light number) PL-J63-26/10k 30" light. 1 10k daylight and 1 71k Actinic. He is selling it for $199. Is this a good price?? Also, where can I find a glass canopy? Sorry for the questions,,,, but I think choosing lighting is the most confusing thing in this hobby!!

 

[Anonymous]

That sounds like another PC fixture. I would go with MH lighting for the anemone because I don't think PC is enough.

 

[SaltyNewbie]

Not to sound like I am completely helpless, but can someone tell me the exact model number or webpage for the light I should get? I don't want to have to connect any wires or anything... just plug in. And where can I get a glass canopy with it? Thanks again. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Lighting has no easy answer. There are many schools of thought, and a hundred variables, but often it comes down to personal preference. The only people who are going to tell you exactly what you need are at the LFS, because they want to make money.
You are going to have to decide what light is good for you and that is going to take time and some research.

That being said, here is a good basic read on lighting from one of our sponsors.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... e=Lighting
And if it were me, he is the light I would be considering:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... uct=PF25PC
But thats me. There are cheaper options out there, but I like the DE bulbs because of less energy consuption, the 250's are bright, and the mini pendants are easy to look at.

 

[Anonymous]

Oops.

My one huge piece of advice is, don't buy anything for a month - just read read read read. In the end you will be happier you did.
And, the bonus advice. Be wary of the LFS giving you advice.

 

[SaltyNewbie]

As always, thank you very much for the advice. I don't have enough money for that nice of a light right now. I also don't think I will be adding anything in my 29 gal that will require that much light. I will be starting a 55 SW in about a year that I will set up as a reef tank and I will definately want that kind of light then. For now though I have been looking at a power comact light. I know they aren't as nice, but I feel they would get the job done..? I am looking at the CustomSeaLife PowerCompact/Moon-Lite Fixtures 2 10000k ultra daylight and 2 actinic blue. Any opinions on this? Also is 23 bucks a good price for a glass canopy?

 

[liquid]

<snip> I also don't think I will be adding anything in my 29 gal that will require that much light. <snip>

Too late. You already have that Sebae anemone in there. It requires much more light than you're giving it.

You should be able to keep most soft corals with power compacts that you've described. I wouldn't try a clam or SPS tho.

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

Go with the power compacts, BUT return the Sebae.
If you can't give it proper conditions, and power compacts are lacking when it comes to anemones, you should not keep it and hope it makes it - it won't. Wait till you have the right light, and get another one.
Anemones, no matter what anyone at the LFS says, are not that easy to keep - unless they are a pest species.

I have no idea what a glass lid costs, but 23 bucks sounds reasonable.

BTW, what are the wattages on the Power Compact fixture. I know it comes in various wattages, and you want to get the most bang for your buck.

 

[Anonymous]

Ditto.

 

[Ben1]

FWIW Glass canopys will reduce the O2 exchange and hurt the tank more then help it.

You cna get a nice deal from ahsupply.com

30" Black Enclosure #50301
$36.99

Actual outside dimensions: 29"L x 9.75"W x 3.45"H. Will sit on a glass top just inside the molding lip of standard 20L, 29 and 38XH gallon aquariums. Will hold two 1x 55w Bright Kits or one 2x55w Bright Kit. Can also be used with a single 1x55w Bright Kit and a 1x or 2x 13w unit (for night viewing, for instance). 36w kits are too short to fit this enclosure well. 110 Max Watts.

2 x 55 watt Bright Kit™ Item # 30552 $64.99
Includes: one 14 ounce, solid-state electronic ballast that will operate two bulbs; two 22 inch long multi-angle MIRO 4 enhanced, polished aluminum reflectors, two moisture-resistant endcaps with cords; four steel bulb holders; one grounding power cord; wirenuts, screws and other hardware needed for installation; optional-use pop-in vent covers, snap bushing, cord strain relief bushing, UV resistant cord clamp and threaded nylon spacers; and ballast operation information and wiring diagram. Requires two 55 watt compact fluorescent bulbs (not included).

Plus two PC bulbs is very cheap for a decent light. I know you said you dont want to wire ect but this is VERY easy and I am sure they would wire it in the hood if you asked them too. You can get two 55 watt bulbs (which are the same as 65 watt if you are wondering) for around $45.

You dont need a glass canopy it will be anouther waste of money if you buy one, IMO.


That is $150 for a decent light that will keep soft corals and such very well in your tank.

Best of luck and in the future read before buying anything!

 

[SaltyNewbie]

Ben-

I've been reading around and I think I am going to order the kit you mentioned. I was looking at the bulbs and I think my best bet would be to get two 10000k/Dark Blue 03 Combo bulbs... would you agree?