Ok, so what light setup SHOULD I get?

Jflip2002 · 06-21-2006, 04:18 PM

So my tank is 26 gallons, its about 36" wide I believe, about 14"-18" tall, and however deep, 12" or whatever. Im not big on any of this termonology you guys use. I just know MH is stronger, and "better" than other stuff, and a lot of people use them with bigger tanks, and what not.

Well my tank is only 26 gallons, so I was looking at a 36" long PC set up, that I believe is 190 watts. I was also debating a 30" long PC, thats only about 130 watts. 190 watts seems excessive for my small of a tank, and I was told thats what made the algae grow wildly, being thats what was on the tank before I got it.

Im sure my nitrates being incredibly high has something to do with the nasty growth of algae, but Im imaging the lighting has something to do with it also?

LMK! Thanks, Joe

hng · 06-21-2006, 04:52 PM

It kinda depends on what you want to keep in your tank - softies, SPS, LPS, clams, etc? With softies, you're probably OK with PC's of 190 watts. Personally, I have a 30 gal tank, almost the same dimensions as yours, and I have about 300 watts of VHO over it and am thinking about bumping it up to 400 watts. Too much light doesn't really cause algae problems IMO, it's poor nutrient export (nitrates incredibly high!) or poor husbandry.

Loverotties · 06-21-2006, 06:46 PM

It's actually 192 watts.Like hng said all depends what you want in your tank!

Jflip2002 · 06-21-2006, 09:59 PM

I'm a fan of softies.... This tank has tons and tons od random little mushrooms and zoos everywhere. It also has some larger shrooms, a leather (not sure which) xenia, torch, and a flower pot... Along with a candy cane that I don't like at all. I want enough light to kep my softies healthy, and have em grow throught (so I can frag em and support my hobby).

Husbandry is the sand, correct? This sand is loaded with worms. It had tons of red and green algae ceap, with empty shells. I scraped out my sand, and took out those nasty ass shells. A whole bunch of dirty looking, thick "fumes" came out. I put my power head right by it, and aimed it to my skimmer, while I also changed my water. Hopefully that cleans out some junk.

I'm thinking those 192 watters woukd be good, and if I need to, I can add a mh eventually?

Jflip2002 · 06-21-2006, 10:36 PM

The tank is officially 16"Hx36"Wx10"D.... For the record...

hng · 06-22-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

Husbandry is the sand, correct?

No, husbandry is the care and upkeep of the tank like water changes, testing, top-offs, additives, etc. Removing an old sand bed can release a lot of old waste which sounds like it happened with you. I would do another big water change weekly for the next few weeks to make sure you get rid of as much of that mess as possible. With a bare bottom tank, you should be able to siphon out detritus more easily and hopefully, more regularly. This will decrease the waste in your tank and help control your algae problems.

The 192 watts of PC's should be plenty of light for softies. No need for metal halides.

Kullas · 06-25-2006, 09:48 PM

ive got a 29g with a eclipse hood with a pc upgrade to 65 watts and i keeping some corkey finger, shrooms, button polyps, xenia, and i got a piece of monti frag that believe it of not its growing. so i would say 190 watts is good but thats my 2 cents worth