Frag tank lighting... What's the best for growth?

Jeff000 · #1 07-23-2012, 10:36 PM

Setting up my frag tank, 40x14x12, and not sure what to do for lighting. I was thinking a couple par 30 bulbs. But what do the experts say?

Nano · #2 07-23-2012, 10:52 PM

I personally think you'd need quite a few 4-6 par 30's for a 40" tank 9could be wrong) if your looking into LED why not DIY or something?

gobytron · #3 07-23-2012, 11:00 PM

2 400w halides.

bang for buck, there is no better.

Jeff000 · #4 07-23-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nano

I personally think you'd need quite a few 4-6 par 30's for a 40" tank 9could be wrong) if your looking into LED why not DIY or something?

Diy is fine, just can't figure out how many. Or what colors.

Was hoping the par30 bulbs would be quick and easy and work good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobytron

2 400w halides.

bang for buck, there is no better.

12" deep tank, frags will be 5-6 inches down at most.
2 400w mh would fry everything.

bling_bling466 · #5 07-23-2012, 11:15 PM

I lime the par bulbs I went withthe Orpheks. It all depends what u wanna keep also. I've got sps right under the bulbs then zoas around the lightly shaded areas.

gobytron · #6 07-23-2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff000

Diy is fine, just can't figure out how many. Or what colors.

Was hoping the par30 bulbs would be quick and easy and work good.

12" deep tank, frags will be 5-6 inches down at most.
2 400w mh would fry everything.

okay...lol
ypu can put them high up over the waterline or use 150 or 250 watt.

either way, this will work the best for growth and cost you the least in time and $$

Jeff000 · #7 07-25-2012, 05:18 PM

My biggest reason to avoid mh is the heat issues, then power usage. But it's so hard to find what leds grow the best.

Aquattro · #8 07-25-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff000

12" deep tank, frags will be 5-6 inches down at most.
2 400w mh would fry everything.

I run 400w Radiums over my frag tank, same depth, no issues.

MarkoD · #9 07-25-2012, 05:27 PM

Solatubes or put the tank in a greenhouse

gobytron · #10 07-25-2012, 06:13 PM

MAYBE in alberta sloatubes MIGHT work.
Calgary is the 2nd sunniest city in Canada.

even then, it's doubtful there is enough annual sun to make solatubes work for a reef aquarium....especially a frag tank.

Do a little research into it and you'll see that a significant number of solatube tanks actually need supplemental lighting.