Lighting options

dwdenny · 01-25-2005, 02:37 PM

I have been researching and researching for months now about setting up a reef tank. I have a set up in mind that my wife and I both like. Mostly soft corals Ricodea florida, Zoanthus sp, Rhodactis sp, Discosoma sp and maybe some Xenia not sure yet. My tank is a 46 gallon bowfront Oceanic and the demensions are 36.5X16.5X21.5. I am planning on about a three inch sand bed. But my question pertains the the most efficent lighting for this set up. I was thinking one 1X175mh or power compacts or combination of the two. The only problem with one light sourse is the brace in the center. I know that PC will not give me the intensity that MH will but with this set up would MH be an overkill? Maybe not with say a 14k bulb not into all the blue effect to much. I am confused about which one to use for this set up. I don't plan to upgrade however if I do I will more then likely set up an entire new tank. Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated to a confused south texas reefer. BTW it is just sitting there empty for the last month and half driving me crazy

and my wife as well she wants it up and going and all I can tell her is that I am researching for the best setup. I thought I was the impatient one. LOL

TrojanScott · 01-25-2005, 02:50 PM

If you're doing mainly soft corals, then IMO, I don't think you need halides. PC's should be more than enough. If you're certain you won't do hard corals that may need MH's, don't waste your money. I've run PC's and loved 'em. Great lighting, not a lot of heat, very affordable. I will say the MH's give off that, "Shimmer" look, but it's not worth the extra cash, extra heat, etc... at least to me it's not.

wharyat · 01-25-2005, 08:15 PM

I agree with Scott, 2 96 watt pc's should be fine for softies. If you ever want to try sps or clams you can always go and pick up an MH and add it.

Jimbo · 01-26-2005, 09:33 AM

If you do decide to go halide 2 175 watters should due. The 14kk bulbs are much dimmer than the 10kk xm bulbs. So with 14kk I would go with at least (2)250w. I have one 400watt 10kk bulb over my 40g 3' long and am happy with the light output, covers most of the tank. Since you have a center brace two bulbs would seem to be necessary. Coralife has some new 10kk double ended 150w bulbs they are claiming to put out the most light per watt, but I've had no experience with them.

But PC should be fine for what you want to keep, recommend about 200-400 watts. Like 2-4 96w or 4 55-65w. Remember replacement cost, four bulbs will run you around 150 annually, metal halides may be slightly cheaper for replacement and then you can keep anything you want.

JennM · 01-26-2005, 09:37 AM

I concur about the PC being enough.

FWIW, 14,000K bulbs (Halide) cast a very blue light, so if you aren't into all that blue, stick with 10,000K or even 6,700K (although the latter is way too yellow for my liking...)

HTH

Jenn