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11-10-2005, 04:53 AM
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#1
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squid
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
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Newbie lighting question
Hi all,
I am in the process of setting up my first reef tank. I was working on the principal that small was good. I puchased a 7 gallon set-up which included filters and lighting. The lighting supplied is 11w PL tubes one white, one red. I have an BTA in the tank which seems quite happy, but I am worried that the lights wont be strong enough. Can anyone shed some light (pardon the pun) on what PL lighting is?
Cheers
PS this is Australian speak
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11-10-2005, 05:51 AM
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#2
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Master of Perplexity
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: panama city beach FL
Posts: 3,431
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Welcome to TRT! This is a friendly place and you should get some great advice and camaraderie here. Several active members are Australians.
I wish I didn't have to start off on a negative note, but those lights will not be adequate for a BTA. They like a lot of light. Not sure of the best way to retrofit your tank for better lights, but for sure the red one is not doing anything for the tank other than shifting the color of the tank for your pleasure.
I'd suggest sites to go to for lighting retro kits, but I'm not sure if you could buy from them. Some of my compadres will arrive shortly to assist.
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11-10-2005, 07:44 AM
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#3
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Duper Mod !
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 14,034
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Welcome to TRT
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Kelli
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11-10-2005, 04:43 PM
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#4
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squid
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the tip. I will start searching to see what I can find
cheers
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11-23-2005, 08:46 AM
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#5
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 460
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I don't know what your tank dimensions are but this light is small and may be what you need. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=CU01011
I just ordered it for my 15gal which is 13"x13"x18". It isn't cheap but what is in this hobby? If you need more info or ideas, don't be afraid to call/email MarineDepot.
__________________
90g display/55g sump | H&S 200x2-F2001 skimmer | (2) IC 250w XM 10k MH w/ T5 BluePlus, SuperActinic | PM KalkReactor dosed via LiterMeter | Vortech and (2) Tunze 6055's on 7095
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11-23-2005, 05:21 PM
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#6
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Got Fish? HUH? DO YA??
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 491
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Welcome fellow Aussie!
Have you got a pic of your tank (even an empty one - ie a promo pic) or can you give us the brand, model, etc.
That will help answer your questions better.
You can help the BTA out a bit by feeding it as well.
P.S. Marine Depot dont ship downunder, and we dont have that quality of lighting here, unfortunately, and the fines for trying to bring them in are astronomical. The only thing more expensive is the cost of testing and compliance to bring them in legally.
__________________
James
GOT FISH? We Have!
www.gotfish.com.au
Mobile aquarium leasing, installations, maintenance, and supplies.
NSW, Australia.
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11-23-2005, 05:33 PM
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#7
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,786
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Welcome to TRT!
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11-27-2005, 09:21 PM
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#8
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squid
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
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My tank is a Aqua One CR320 - 28 litre. I have been messing with it a bit since I first posted. I went snorkelling the other week and found a couple of corals that looked like they needed a home. They seem to be quite happy in the tank. I am really a bit puzzled with this lighting thing. Everything I read says that I dont have enough light, but I everything seem to be thriving. I went away for a couple of days recently and because of the heat, left the lights off and for the first time since being put in the tank about a month ago the BTA went for a bit of a wander. (By the way he is a great eater) I will put some pics on as soon as I figure out how to do this.
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11-28-2005, 12:09 AM
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#9
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,786
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Welcome to TRT!
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11-28-2005, 05:11 PM
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#10
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Got Fish? HUH? DO YA??
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 491
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The light in that tank is a little 11w power compact.
You can get away with alot under that light, as its a small, shallow tank.
We've kept all sorts of corals under it.
I know a bloke who used to keep small clams under it too - not that i would recommend it.
__________________
James
GOT FISH? We Have!
www.gotfish.com.au
Mobile aquarium leasing, installations, maintenance, and supplies.
NSW, Australia.
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11-28-2005, 09:03 PM
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#11
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squid
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
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gulp, I have a small clam in my tank that has been in there for about a month. Dare I ask how lighting affects clams?
cheers
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11-29-2005, 02:45 AM
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#12
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Got Fish? HUH? DO YA??
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 491
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Hahaha... What type of clam is it? do you know its name?
Most clams are very light dependant.
__________________
James
GOT FISH? We Have!
www.gotfish.com.au
Mobile aquarium leasing, installations, maintenance, and supplies.
NSW, Australia.
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11-29-2005, 02:54 AM
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#13
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: australia,Gold coast
Posts: 49
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Welcome to trt! nice to have another Aussie with us,
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11-29-2005, 09:10 PM
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#14
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squid
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
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I have no idea what sort of clam it is. It's one I found on a rock while snorkelling. It is only about an inch across and does not have a particularly spectacular mantle or anything. The mantle is clear with pinkish spots on it. I don't feed it either, I am a bit concerned that it could starve to death. I use local sea water and change between a third and half the water each week. Is it likely it will get enough food from the water?
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