Lighting questions...???...

DrFish33 · 01-21-2007, 01:29 PM

36"

156W

1.34A

2x39W-Dual Daylight /
2x39W-Dual Actinic

3

B

36" x 7.25" x 2.5"

Is this gonna be good enough to support everything I want to support? Right now I am LRFO but I am thinking about getting an anemone for my percula to host in. Once I spend this amount on lighting then I probably will consider a few corals, but I could stand to pick and choose which ones according to their lighting preferences. I do know that the more beautiful corals typically grow in higher density light, but...I think $250 will be my limit and I don't want to hang a fixture from my ceiling. Are there better options?

DrFish33 · 01-21-2007, 01:32 PM

Noise, attractiveness, and efficiency should all be considered.

Jflip2002 · 01-21-2007, 01:51 PM

Yes, there are better options. Go T5s, they are SOOOOo Much better than PCs. (Im assuming that first one was PCs).

Heres a 36" Fixture, thats 4x39 W. And its T5s. And its only $189. I think thatd work nicely. I have the same thing but 24" 4x24w, and its great. With PCs my Xenia never grew, nothing grew, everything ended up dying. With my T5s, everything grows like weeds. Dont go PCs, you'll regret it.
http://marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_novaXtreme.htm

ChilisREasy · 01-21-2007, 02:11 PM

How many Gallons & is it a tall tank or long tank

Jflip2002 · 01-21-2007, 02:13 PM

Either way.... PCs suck. T5s dont.

PCs < T5s < MH

Weatherman · 01-21-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFish33

Right now I am LRFO but I am thinking about getting an anemone for my percula to host in.

Anemones, in most cases, need more light than most coral do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFish33

Once I spend this amount on lighting then I probably will consider a few corals, but I could stand to pick and choose which ones according to their lighting preferences. I do know that the more beautiful corals typically grow in higher density light, but...I think $250 will be my limit and I don't want to hang a fixture from my ceiling. Are there better options?

If you have a canopy over your tank, and are handy, "T5 Retrofits" are an excellent choice. When you start getting into fixtures, they start getting expensive fast. In either case, there just isn't much available for less than $300.

I would strongly suggest against the Nova Extreme as a primary light source. With its single reflector, it's bottom-of-the-barrel when it comes to T5 lighting. You, certainly, won't be able to keep an anemone alive for long with only a Nova Extreme for light.

Jflip2002 · 01-21-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weatherman

I would strongly suggest against the Nova Extreme as a primary light source. With its single reflector, it's bottom-of-the-barrel when it comes to T5 lighting. You, certainly, won't be able to keep an anemone alive for long with only a Nova Extreme for light.

My tank has been totally fine, and I run the Nova Extreme. There will b e more than enough light on the top of the tank for the Anemone. And he will go towards the top if need be. Once you start getting into Tek Lights, you will start to pay double the price. You can also modify your reflectors on the Nova Extreme in the future if needed, with some Tek individual reflectors.

Weatherman · 01-21-2007, 03:45 PM

No question individual reflectors would make a world of difference in the performance of a Nova Extreme fixture.

DrFish33 · 01-22-2007, 10:58 AM

A nova extreme is what I've got listed at the top of the page...its on marinedepot for $224.99 for the 36"...I know lighting is a hot topic and everyone really should go metal halide according to a lot of "experts", but like I said...I don't really want to spend over $250 and I know this is an upgrade from my current lighting. I dunno though...I'm a little torn. It is $225 and that is a lot of money to waste on something that alledgedly is only enough to sustain fish.

Wiskey · 01-22-2007, 11:06 AM

The thing that makes T5 lighting so much better than PC is the Individual parabolic reflectors, made by 2 companys, Tek (SLS), and Ice Cap.

Great post Weatherman, I agree.

Whiskey

DrFish33 · 01-22-2007, 11:08 AM

So...whiskey...I trust your opinion. What should I get?

Wiskey · 01-22-2007, 11:11 AM

What are the dimentions of your tank, and does your tank have a center brace?

Whiskey

DrFish33 · 01-22-2007, 11:20 AM

My tank has a fat nasty center brace...a brown one at that. I got a 46 gallon bowfront...so...dimensions...hmmmm....36" L x 16.25" W x 20" H.
Maybe.

Wiskey · 01-22-2007, 11:30 AM

Ooh, a center brace,.... there goes the $200 retrofit MH idea.

If it were me I would go with either the Tek T5 fixture (6 bulb, 36" long) or if you have a hood (I personally would rather go this way) the 6 bulb 36" Tek retro.

This would give you enough light to keep about anything up top, softies and lps will be happy all the way to the bottom of the tank provided everything else is in check. I would replace the bulbs every year, (PC's need replacement every 6 months).

Whiskey

DrFish33 · 01-22-2007, 11:32 AM

by the way...its we're...not were

lol