lighting needs?

[sangell153]

Hi i think my tank isnt getting enough light with the setup i got at the moment can anyone tell me what would be the optimum lighting needs for a reef tank of the following size?

width =121 cm
depth = 46 cm
height = 62 cm

any help would be appreciated

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you want to keep, or are keeping.
After you post a (wish)list of livestock, the help will come pouring in.

 

[sangell153]

Ive got 1 yellow eyed tang, 1 blue cheek goby, 1 pair boxing shrimp, hermit crabs, turbo snails and a green polyp. Id like to get a couple more fish maybe a couple of maroon clowns and an anemone as well as various other inverts. The polyp has grown alot in the 2 months since i got it.

current lights
2x 3 foot long white triphosphor 30w
1x 3 foot long blue actinic 30w

ive included a pic of one corner of my tank where polyp is but it came out blurry because of the bowfront tank i think.

 

[Len]

I recommend PowerCompacts or T-5 bulbs. 4 x 55W (or better yet, 96W) PCs or 4 x 4 feet T-5s would be very good lighting for your future anemone.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, fish crabs and snails do not necessarily care what light they have. It becomes if you feel that they are well showcased.
It looks like you may have green star polyps (?) which do fine in a lower light situation. Most polyps and Zoos can stand or prefer lower light. If you really would like to add more light loving corals, you will need to update lighting.
The easiest thing to do may be to upgrade to VHO or PC lights. Since you already have flouresent tubes, getting a VHO ballast (Icecap) and an Atinic and 2 50/50 bulbs (URI), or even 1 50/50. Each VHO bulb is 96w and internaly reflected.

I have 3 X 48 inch (110w) over my 90 gallon, and they provide enough light to maintain medium high to high light corals.

 

[Anonymous]

Most Sessile inverts do care on the lighting...Id go with bare minimum PC lighting...Personally i like MH but i also like PC too..hmm? anyways if you really want to keep SPS corals with decent success..Everyone recommends MH..you definintely need to shy away with those NO lights for your corals...