Lighting Question for reef tank

[richardhmc]

Hello! I have decided to convert my 50g tank to a reef tank and I am clueless to as which lighting would be sufficient for a reef tank. I have 50g wide so I don't believe it is a standard sized tank. It is 3ft x 18in x 18in. So while searching for lights, I looked for lights that had sized in 30 inches here are some I found.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18486

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13637

I am leaning towards the Sundial T-5 but any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Would this light be good enough for corals? Thanks!

 

[sjsoto]

what kind of corals will you have?

 

[sjsoto]

i have these 30" for my 50 breeder... same as yours... i have soft corals and they seem to be doing just fine...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16770&pcatid=16770

 

[reefman]

i c u will probably have to decide on 2 types-metal halide and t5.
the best thing to do is check them out in a actual reef tank. each has its pros n cons. but the most important is which look do u like. that u cant read about.

 

[richardhmc]

I would like to have all kinds of corals. I have also noticed that metal halides tends to carry a heavier pricetag than t5. Would the Current USA 30" Sundial
T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED be sufficient for any types of corals or would I be limited to certain kinds?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Either choice is very little light for a 50G.

I would like to have all kinds of corals. I have also noticed that metal halides tends to carry a heavier pricetag than t5. Would the Current USA 30" Sundial
T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED be sufficient for any types of corals or would I be limited to certain kinds?

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I would like to have all kinds of corals. I have also noticed that metal halides tends to carry a heavier pricetag than t5. Would the Current USA 30" Sundial
T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED be sufficient for any types of corals or would I be limited to certain kinds?

skip the satellite. not enough. i would go with nova extreme 36x8 saltwater (156 watts) @$175.99 --better value than the 30" sundial $259.99 (96 watts). better off with non intergrated timer - more flexible and easily replaced- some timers are trouble prone.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16770&pcatid=16770

and with the $84 you save you can get these moonlite for $20

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+10704+19788&pcatid=19788

2x timers(skip the digital-trouble prone) for $20

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+20169+9868&pcatid=9868

and one of these

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+20169+14702&pcatid=14702

and you'll still have $ left for shipping:biggrin:

imo -156 watts of t5's at 18" height, you can pretty much keep most of the corals......softies, lps's, some sps's except for the majority of acros.

 

[richardhmc]

I have made a very stupid mistake... I don't know why I thought 3 feet equaled 30 inches but now I am able to look for 36 inch lights which are very much more available in all kinds of lights.

So, with 36 inches of light needed and not 30, any suggestions? I am open to any suggestions =]

 

[richardhmc]

I looked around and found 36 inch Current USA 6 x 39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 3-10K/3-460nm Actinics. With 234 watts of light, would this be sufficient in keeping most coral types?

 

[tomtoothdoc]

i was wondering why you were choosing 30" fixture?

234 watts of t'5 over 18" depth..... much better choice. i think you'll be ok with most coral but some demanding acros:biggrin: i know people who keeps acros with 8x54 (432 watts) t5's over a 24" depth(of course the acros are in the top tier) and they look phenomenal.

never really understood why......but even if all wattages are equal, the light penetration/par value seem to be: metal halides> t5's>power compacts.

my $0.02

 

[richardhmc]

Okay, one more change in light hehe... http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...0&size=36 Inch (1x150W HQI + 2x65W PC + 2 LED)

Is the compact fluorescent a negative to the whole setup or is the thing overall better than the T-5?