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rigger11
11-06-2008, 01:47 AM
ok so here it goes. im starting up a new tank in my front livingroom and am looking for sudgestions on what type of light to go with and the wattage. im sort of leaning towards t5's the tank is maybe 18" tall. oh the tank is only 30 gallons... i think im going to go with lps, shrooms, gsp, frogger and hammer and zoas id also like to have a few clams and possably a few sps latter on...

so lets hear your recomendations!!!!:mrgreen:
Ryan_Lap
11-06-2008, 02:02 AM
I suggest something like this...

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl-t5tl3606/Sunlight+Supply+36%22+Tek+Light+T5+Fixture+-+6-Bulb%2C+6+x+39W.html

It is a t5 fixture and comes in either 4 or 6 bulbs. I would say either would be more than enough for most anything you plan on keeping. You also have many options on which bulbs you want to run. You also wont have to worry about heat like you would with mh.
tang daddy
11-06-2008, 02:12 AM
a tek is always good

if you keep your tank parameters good you shouldn't have any algae problems.

It will be able to keep up with any corals you put in, clams could be debateble as I've never kept clams under t5 only.
MMAX
11-06-2008, 02:43 PM
Don't mean to hijack your thread Rigger11, but I was just about to ask the same question myself. My tank is a 21" tall 75 gal and I was wondering about the lighting needed to keep a Crocea. Would the Coralife 48" Pro MH 2 X 250Watt hood be enough?
JDigital
11-06-2008, 04:11 PM
Don't mean to hijack your thread Rigger11, but I was just about to ask the same question myself. My tank is a 21" tall 75 gal and I was wondering about the lighting needed to keep a Crocea. Would the Coralife 48" Pro MH 2 X 250Watt hood be enough?

Dual 250W MH? I can't see why not.:biggrin:
Jason McK
11-06-2008, 04:35 PM
I ran dual 250W with 2X 110W VHOs on my 75G clams, SPS and LPS loved it.

But Back to rigger11. I would say the Tek would work well for what you want to keep.

J
wickedfrags
11-06-2008, 05:46 PM
Agreed, a great light.

I suggest something like this...

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl-t5tl3606/Sunlight+Supply+36%22+Tek+Light+T5+Fixture+-+6-Bulb%2C+6+x+39W.html

It is a t5 fixture and comes in either 4 or 6 bulbs. I would say either would be more than enough for most anything you plan on keeping. You also have many options on which bulbs you want to run. You also wont have to worry about heat like you would with mh.
MMAX
11-07-2008, 05:19 PM
On the other hand would the Coralife 2 X 150W MH be enough for a Crocea in a 20" deep tank?
Whatigot
11-07-2008, 05:23 PM
On the other hand would the Coralife 2 X 150W MH be enough for a Crocea in a 20" deep tank?

hardcores will tell you no.
If you have some good 10k bulbs in it, you can.
MMAX
11-07-2008, 05:28 PM
I didn't think so. I'm looking for used right now and I see alot of 150w units for sale but no 250s as of yet.
Whatigot
11-07-2008, 05:47 PM
I have never had clams in my 24' deep tank, but I have had sps do well (definitely not thrive) near the bottom.
I would def have bought some 250 de's or 400 se's in retrospect.
I actually have some 400's on the way for this reason and am selling my aqualight pro 2x150.

I would think you could probably keep a clam alive on the bottom of your 21' but you will be happy as a clam with 250's or 400's.

Try ebay.
wickedfrags
11-07-2008, 05:59 PM
In the grand scheme of things, T5 lighting and 250W halides (or greater) are the most useful lighting systems. In the event you upgrage in the future, you would definitately be able to use this lighting. In the event you decide to take a break form the hobby, you will be able to sell this equipment much easier.

Is it enough to keep a crocea alive, I would say yes.

On the other hand would the Coralife 2 X 150W MH be enough for a Crocea in a 20" deep tank?
MMAX
11-07-2008, 06:21 PM
Found one on ebay with 2 X 250W MHs, 4 X 54W T5s and 6 LED moon lights for $342.65 Canadian. It is a generic made in China unit and it's also located in San Francisco so it may arrive in several pieces (don't know how well lighting hoods ship).
xtreme
11-07-2008, 07:01 PM
I picked up a 72" fixture off of ebay and have since replaced all 3 ballasts and all 3 lamps and it has made a huge difference in the brightness and color. The 250w MH's where more like 150w. You may want to look at spending a little more initially and then you won't have to upgrade down the road. I have also seen coralife units where the ballasts where upgraded and again, a huge difference in brightness.

Just my $0.02