Hi, I'm planning on setting up a mini reef with mushrooms, star polyp, green polyp, open brain and ? Mostlikely, other low light stuff. Open to suggestions. I want a few fish not more than five. I was thinking on getting a 29g but mite get upto 60. Space and money are limited. The lfs wants to sell me JBJ minireef 11g setup. Well I really want something bigger. I'm planning on getting a bak pak protien skimmer, a few power heads, intank plenum, pos. refugium and two of these new lights that I saw on ebay fluorex. They put out 8255 lumens and rated 6700 kelvin. From what I have read one is equal to a 96w pc light. roughly, it needs to go through 12" of water because of plenum/sand will take up room. I will be adding one pound of live rock per gallon of tank with one to two inches of sand/live sand. I also saw some little moonlite lights on ebay. As you can see I need some experiance to tell if this will work. I would hate to buy the wrong stuff.
newbie-lights
- Thread starter billyzbear
- Start date
Do you have a link to the ebay page? For fluorescent lamp, it takes roughly 1:1 W for a PC light, since the technology is the same. PC, however, enables you to pack more light in a smaller package, about as much as a VHO flourescent.
You may want to look more into plenum... I don't know if it is a "must" for you setup... Same for the moonlight. If you have tight budget, moonlight is something that you can do without impacting your tank in any negative way.
You may want to look more into plenum... I don't know if it is a "must" for you setup... Same for the moonlight. If you have tight budget, moonlight is something that you can do without impacting your tank in any negative way.
Thanks for the reply. Link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebaylSAPl.dll?Vi ... gory=20755 and
http://www.rl180reef.com/pages/lighting/sumplight.htm
Sorry you'll need to copy and paste. They're cheaper than others and the water should run cooler. I hear you can get them at home depot for 30 ea. I like cheaper but not sure if they'll get the job done.
Just a side note, I did see a add for 30g 18x18x18 cube tank with everything except skimmer for 300.00. The guy also put 175w hq, live rock and sand and a couple of fish and coral. This seems like a good deal, hopefully he'll still have it by the time I get there, it's like 2 hour's away. And to think this all started when my other half said she wanted a tank for xmas. She only wanted a freshwater setup until I took her to the lfs and said how much I have always liked saltwater setups. Ages ago, I was going to do it but the lfs talked me out of it saying they are a lot more work. I think the hobby has come a long way now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebaylSAPl.dll?Vi ... gory=20755 and
http://www.rl180reef.com/pages/lighting/sumplight.htm
Sorry you'll need to copy and paste. They're cheaper than others and the water should run cooler. I hear you can get them at home depot for 30 ea. I like cheaper but not sure if they'll get the job done.
Just a side note, I did see a add for 30g 18x18x18 cube tank with everything except skimmer for 300.00. The guy also put 175w hq, live rock and sand and a couple of fish and coral. This seems like a good deal, hopefully he'll still have it by the time I get there, it's like 2 hour's away. And to think this all started when my other half said she wanted a tank for xmas. She only wanted a freshwater setup until I took her to the lfs and said how much I have always liked saltwater setups. Ages ago, I was going to do it but the lfs talked me out of it saying they are a lot more work. I think the hobby has come a long way now.
Well, I emailed the guy in the second link. He replyed saying that the lights will be good enough for mushrooms but they give a more yellow tint. He also said to beware that some algae like this and could be a problem.
I'm trying to find cheaper way to light my reef without spending 250.00 on a crl 48" light strip. Any suggestions?
I'm trying to find cheaper way to light my reef without spending 250.00 on a crl 48" light strip. Any suggestions?
We still have a long way to go, but it is much easier to get info. than a few years ago when there is no Internet.
I don't think you need to spent that much money on the light, particularly if you are not picky about what you going to keep. The seller is honest in telling you that the light is a bit yellow to most people's taste, but putting "500W" on the auction page is a bit misleading. I used a similar setup (LOA, light of america) when I first started, and it work fine. I got mine from HomeDepot and do some DIY with it. Check out some of the RDO sponsors and see if you can find any DIY kit that you can make use of.
Let us know what you going to get, and I am sure some of us will offer you our opinions.
I don't think you need to spent that much money on the light, particularly if you are not picky about what you going to keep. The seller is honest in telling you that the light is a bit yellow to most people's taste, but putting "500W" on the auction page is a bit misleading. I used a similar setup (LOA, light of america) when I first started, and it work fine. I got mine from HomeDepot and do some DIY with it. Check out some of the RDO sponsors and see if you can find any DIY kit that you can make use of.
Let us know what you going to get, and I am sure some of us will offer you our opinions.
I did some more searching, God I love the internet. I found a worklight that takes a double ended halogen bulb for 10.00. Comes with 500w holagen bulb but it doesn't say the lumnes or kelvin. I was thinking I could put in a 150w bulb that is for coral for 59.00. You think one would be good for 24" wide through 12" of water?
work light:
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=product ... -290-PQS45
bulb:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/15xde10hqide.html
What are some other cheaper ways to light coral. The best deal I have found so far is 224.00 for 4 65w pc + 3 moonlites in a nice hood with fans. Custom Sea Life. I think I'm going to get a 60g tank, a friend owes me some money. One problem the tank has a support bar across the middle of it. It has no canopy either not a real big deal I can make one. DIY kits I have seen are around 200-220 for 4 65w pc lights.
work light:
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=product ... -290-PQS45
bulb:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/15xde10hqide.html
What are some other cheaper ways to light coral. The best deal I have found so far is 224.00 for 4 65w pc + 3 moonlites in a nice hood with fans. Custom Sea Life. I think I'm going to get a 60g tank, a friend owes me some money. One problem the tank has a support bar across the middle of it. It has no canopy either not a real big deal I can make one. DIY kits I have seen are around 200-220 for 4 65w pc lights.
Can't see the first link, so I don't know if it is a metal halide (good) or halogen (won't work). Similar to floresence bulb, metal halide needs a ballast. Halogen, often brought by newbies by mistake, is incandescent, and does not need a ballast.
Is the 60 gal tank a four feeter? I will go with 96W PC bulbs if you want to use PC instead of MH. You can put 2-4 96W bulbs in there.
Is the 60 gal tank a four feeter? I will go with 96W PC bulbs if you want to use PC instead of MH. You can put 2-4 96W bulbs in there.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is a double ended halogen bulb that goes in there. So, I can't switch the bulb. Ya, the tank is a four footer. What if I wen't with vho's tubes. They sell Work canopies with four 40w bulbs that come with a ballast for cheap. I even saw one that would take a 96w bulb. Would I have to have eight 40w bulbs? Is it ok to cover your tank with galss and shine the light through it? I'm thinking this would be bad. Thanks again for all your help.
1, the ballast for the work canopies won't fire VHO.
2, Don't know about the work canopies that take a 96W bulb, explain.
3, eight 4 feeters will take a lot of room in the hood, if you can fit that many in there...
4, as long as the glass is not tinted, there is nothing wrong with cover you tank with window glass when it come to being a part of light setup.
2, Don't know about the work canopies that take a 96W bulb, explain.
3, eight 4 feeters will take a lot of room in the hood, if you can fit that many in there...
4, as long as the glass is not tinted, there is nothing wrong with cover you tank with window glass when it come to being a part of light setup.
Ok. How about 4x40w t12 fixture? Would this be enough light? It's roughly 80.00 for bulbs and 50.00 for fixtures. I was thinking on putting the glass on top of tank so nobody jumps out and a 1"-2" gap and the fixtures in a canopy with a couple of fans. Could I run into heat problems? Other than that, I'm trying to find some used setups like 2x175w halides. I don't see many 96w pc's but a lot of 55w deals. As always, thanks for your help.
Is T12 those skinny tubes? :?
Anyway, I used 4X40W on a 60 gal for a year or so, and it was fine when I have mushroom, Xenia, and other low light coral. The light is very homogenous thru out the tank, but it is not very bright. I used regular HomeDepot bulb, BTW... what was back in the starving student days.
I don't think you will have much heat problem, but that really depends on your room temp. and the type of pump (some are really heat generator), etc., if you only go with 4X40W. If you look harder, I am sure you will run into reasonable setup at with PC or MH. Again, did you check some DIY kits offered by RDO sponsors?
Anyway, I used 4X40W on a 60 gal for a year or so, and it was fine when I have mushroom, Xenia, and other low light coral. The light is very homogenous thru out the tank, but it is not very bright. I used regular HomeDepot bulb, BTW... what was back in the starving student days.
I don't think you will have much heat problem, but that really depends on your room temp. and the type of pump (some are really heat generator), etc., if you only go with 4X40W. If you look harder, I am sure you will run into reasonable setup at with PC or MH. Again, did you check some DIY kits offered by RDO sponsors?
Hi, You have good ideas and not so good ideas (also known as bad ideas).
Plenums are bad. They are catastrophic accidents waiting to happen. Gas gets trapped deep in the Plenum and if anything happens to let the gas out, it can wipe out a tank.
The other idea that could use some thought is the lighting. If money is somewhat of an issue, check out a 30 gallon long tank. 3 ft long is better for the fish. You can get a great light at www.hellolights.com for $145.00.
That's 2 x 65 PC lighting.
Some of the other lighting options you are thinking about have definite drawbacks.
The idea of a CPR bak pak is a good. Check out this board as well as Ebay for bak paks or remoras.
Good luck.
Plenums are bad. They are catastrophic accidents waiting to happen. Gas gets trapped deep in the Plenum and if anything happens to let the gas out, it can wipe out a tank.
The other idea that could use some thought is the lighting. If money is somewhat of an issue, check out a 30 gallon long tank. 3 ft long is better for the fish. You can get a great light at www.hellolights.com for $145.00.
That's 2 x 65 PC lighting.
Some of the other lighting options you are thinking about have definite drawbacks.
The idea of a CPR bak pak is a good. Check out this board as well as Ebay for bak paks or remoras.
Good luck.
Glad to have someone helping me out so that this will sound like a discussion instead of dialogue.
There are some misconceptions about plenum, and again, my opinion is that you go read up on it before deciding on that issue.
I agree with hockeyboy that a CPR is a good choice, among others, for a 60 gal. In fact, I used a BakPak for years on my 60 gal. Another good alternative is AquaC HOB skimmer called RemoraPro.
There are some misconceptions about plenum, and again, my opinion is that you go read up on it before deciding on that issue.
I agree with hockeyboy that a CPR is a good choice, among others, for a 60 gal. In fact, I used a BakPak for years on my 60 gal. Another good alternative is AquaC HOB skimmer called RemoraPro.
It looks like my best deal would be to get 2x96w pc's. I found a place that has them for around 160.00. There are a few used deals I need to follow up on but I mostlikely will buy new. I do really like the Custom Sea Life, PowerCompact with moon-lite. Comes with 4x65+4moonlite and fan, for 245.00. Is the brase across the center going to be a problem? Thanks for the advise.
I just want to interject a question here
What is wrong with using halogen bulbs?
I don't want to use them, but I have had people ask me that before, and I just say I have never heard of anyone using them. It would be nice to know the actual answer
Oh, and I recommend the remora pro, I have it, its full of green junk right now
Bryan
What is wrong with using halogen bulbs?
I don't want to use them, but I have had people ask me that before, and I just say I have never heard of anyone using them. It would be nice to know the actual answer
Oh, and I recommend the remora pro, I have it, its full of green junk right now
Bryan
KH, glad to know you came upside!
Anyway, the main reasons halogen bulb is not used because of two reasons.
1, trouble efficiency. florescent and discharge (MH) lamp will give you about four time the light with the same amount of electricity. Most of the electrcity is converted to heat, which can be viewed as another "cons" to use this type of bulb.
2, trouble color. Halogen is very warm in color, and too yellow for most people taste.
Anyway, the main reasons halogen bulb is not used because of two reasons.
1, trouble efficiency. florescent and discharge (MH) lamp will give you about four time the light with the same amount of electricity. Most of the electrcity is converted to heat, which can be viewed as another "cons" to use this type of bulb.
2, trouble color. Halogen is very warm in color, and too yellow for most people taste.
What do ya think of a mercury vapor mogal base lamp? 7400-7900 lumens and 6500 kelvin.
http://store.yahoo.com/elights/philmervapla.html
The fixture is cheap 23.00
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=product ... 0-NH1204-M
Says they run on house current, not sure if ballast is needed. I could throw in some blue hologens to help with the look and for all less than a hundred.
http://store.yahoo.com/elights/philmervapla.html
The fixture is cheap 23.00
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=product ... 0-NH1204-M
Says they run on house current, not sure if ballast is needed. I could throw in some blue hologens to help with the look and for all less than a hundred.
JUST A SIDE NOTE TO ALL. Loule, you said that flourecent and HID(MH, MV, HPS, etc) have the same watts to light output ratio. If you do some searching on the matter you will find that HID lamps are very much more efficient. I am not sure about MV's but HPS and MH are about 45-50% efficient with HPS being the more efficient of the two. Keep in mind that this output light rating is visible light output. Usable light for corals and plants is obviously less of a %age but more or less will still be more efficient in MH and HPS than in flourecents. Of course this efficiency is also related to application for the bulb. i.e. Aquarium specific bulbs. Duh! Nothing new.
Just FYI
Michael[/quote]
Just FYI
Michael[/quote]
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