PC lighting question

Ekudl · 10-02-2002, 09:50 PM

I currently have 1-55 Watt PC lighting on my 20 Gl High nano and I believe it is a 10,000K bulb, although it could be a 6400K one, it is in a GE PC strip. I want to get another 55Watt PC light strip to give me a total of 110Watts which hopefully will be all the light I need to host anything.

I want to get either a 50/50 or a 100% Actinic bulb for the look and my future corals. My preference is probably the 100% actinic, would that take away from my total daylighting that would be needed for strong lighting corals? Has anyone seen or has this similar config? Currently all I have in the tank for corals are mushrooms, button polyps and daisy polyps. I would love a Green Open Brain someday. Thanks in advance.

Doug1 · 10-03-2002, 01:52 AM

Is that tank the same as a 29 only 24" long rather than 30"? At any rate adding another 55w would help a lot but 3x55 would be great, even for so called low light corals
If you have a white light on it now, an actinic would be a good choice, tho you could get away with a 50/50 and still give the corals decent lite, personally I would do the existing, an actinic in the mddle then a 50/50 in back

Ekudl · 10-04-2002, 04:04 PM

Thanks Doug1,

I bought a 110Watt PC lighting strip (55W - 10K and 55W Actinic) looks great. I also have the other 55W strip if I ever need it. This for now should be plenty of light. 110w/20Gl = 5.5 Watts/Gl.
I only have button polyps, daisy polyps, shrooms, and Pulsing Xenia if I ever get something that requires more light I then can add the extra 55W strip.

Thanks again

Freckles · 10-04-2002, 09:25 PM

I have a 20g, too & just added an extra 55 watt PC strip, which brought it up from 70 watts to 110. So, now I have 2 PC strips (the new one just replaced my 15 watt NO strip). I bought both strips from Pet Supply Liquidator for only $59.00/ The $59.00 is my new one but it has a reflector built in, whereas the other one I bought ($55), doesnot have the metal reflector. I have the 50/50's in both & it is soooooooooo bright. I have mushrooms, a frogspawn, a frag of toadstool, a tiny frag of button polyps, an open brain, a candy cane coral & a sun coral. I cannot wait to see everything fully expanded this weekend. I usually dont get home til almost 5p on the weekdays, so I dont get to see them at their fullest til the weekend.

Ekudl · 10-08-2002, 04:52 PM

Hi Freckles,

That sounds nice. I have a very similar setup. A 20 Gl High with the same lighting. Do you have a High or a Long? I wish mine was a long for more floor space. I have a big Toadstool, Pulsing Xenia, Green Button Polyps, and a Green Mushroom Frag, Flame scallop, feather duster, amongst a big cleaning crew. Everything seems to be fine other than trying to keep my Alkaline and Calcium at a stable level. I tried Bionic 2 part calcium system but it makes these levels much too high. I just decided today to try Kent Calcium, Iodine and Strontium instead. What do you use if any?

Freckles · 10-08-2002, 07:01 PM

Ekudl,

Hi. Mine is a 20g High. I don't dose anything. I tried adding calcium, but that I noticed some cyano starting to build up, so I quit doing that. What type of cleanup crew do you have? I only have a few snail & crabs, maybe 8 total. I just bought one of those skilters to help with the skimming, because I dont have the extra cash to buy the expensive skimmers. I think I may modify it though.

Ekudl · 10-08-2002, 09:36 PM

Hi Freckles,

I have a good cleaning crew, about 16 Blue Leg and 2 Red Leg crabs, 1-fighting conche, 9 Astrea and 2 Turbo Snails, among a flame scallop and a feather duster. Very little green algea and no Cyano. I am very surprised you don't dose anything???? How can you at least keep up your calcium? I have a big Toadstool that I bought for $50 and it is not looking as good as when I got it last week because of my high Alk and Cal. I stopped dosing BIonic for now but I am using Kent Strontium, Iodine and Calcium. I have alot of Purple Coraline Algea, even on the glass which is what I have heard is signs of a healthy tank. For a skimmer I use an Aqua Remora with a Maxijet 1200 PH. I absolutly love the skimmer. Very quiet and pulls unbelievable smelly brown water (foam) out. I highly suggest to scratch the Skilter experiment. I have seen them and I have heard from many people that these skimmers are useless. From all of the money I had spent in my Reef Tank I would have to say that the expensive skimmer I got for $163 from Inland Aquaria is absolutly worth it and I would buy it again if I had too.

Freckles · 10-09-2002, 08:56 PM

Ekudl,

I don't know. I do 10% water changes every week. Every time I have tested my calcium, it measures out fine. Although, my bubble hasnt been looking good lately

It completely deflates at night time. I dont see it during the week days at it's fullest, but these past few weekends it hasnt been as big as it used to be. I am not sure what is wrong with it. Maybe I need to dose with something?

But, I dont know what.
I am happy with the skilter for now. The thing with me is that I will buy something, then a few months later, buy something new, lol.

Don't ask, but that's just me. So, maybe once we get rid of the other bills, then I will get a better skimmer.

RJ · 10-09-2002, 09:24 PM

Howdy Folks..

I just thought I'd pine in here with my experiences...I have a 29 gal...the long...I have a 10,000k 55W PC....with 2 NO actinics....and keep mostly the same as you guys...mostly softies...I, as well haven't been able to control my Alk either...and have given up...all I dose is Iodine...about twice a week...and all is great....water changes are a rarity here....I'd say in tanks this small attempting to control Alk and Cal become overwhelming...just dose Iodine for your softies...and all should be ok!

Jacy · 02-28-2003, 02:47 PM

Not sure if you guys are still 'listening', but if you are, and any others who have 20L, 20H or 29,, what do you use for in tank circulation? I'm still debating to myself on a Maxijet 900 or 1200 for my 20L. I plan to keep leathers, zooanthids, mushrooms.
Todd

hooked · 02-28-2003, 05:40 PM

Todd,

I was going to have my 20L drilled but since my glass company told me they could do it then changed there mind I think I will go with a cpr bakpak and a maxijet 600 for the time being. I have all this equipment on my shelf but would rather have a maxijet 900 or 1200. When I set it up I will post what I my experience has been. I will probably build the stand this weekend and try to get water in it by the next.