NOOB: Looking for LIGHTING, input and recommendations appreciated.

[mlee4984]

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to introduce myself, name is Mike and I just started on this hobby and stumbled upon this very informative site. I'm here to learn and hopefully help others where possible.

Here's my dilemma, I have a 72G corner tank with Eheim 2217 Filter Classic, Seaclone Protein Skimmer, Visi-Therm heater. All the equipment is new and I've just added Live Rock in the tank. I'm looking for lighting and a lot of people recommend T5 so I think I'm going to go that route as opposed to MH due to the extra heat. Anyone have recommendations that will not burn a hole in my wallet before getting the fish!?

My plans are to have fish now and maybe get coral, etc. at a later date when I get used to maintaining everything.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1092/img00122oy2.jpg
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3593/img00123et1.jpg
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1951/img00124xq3.jpg

Again, thank you all for the input. I'm open to all comments, I'm here to learn!
-Mike

[mlee4984]

Forgot to mention, I think I can only use something that's 30" in length because the fitment on the lid doesn't allow more than 28"-29".

[1234]

As far as I know, T5's come in 24" and 36" lengths. You could probably stagger then to cover the tank.

A friend of mine diy,used the Workhorse ballast ,got some endcaps, reflectors and put it over his frag tanks.

Just an idea.

[mat167]

The only problem with t5's that I can foresee is that you might not have enough room for several bulbs in order to get enough light for maintaining a good reef. Yes, I know it depends on what you want to keep, but if you really want to look into a good system I'd go with a nice strong MH bulb centered and t5's in front and back. What kind of sucks about lighting is that every system is different and chances are you'll find something to change after a few months.
Just to give you an example...I made my own canopy and retrofitted 2x250W MH with a fan and 4x39W t5's. It cost about $500 CAN for the bulbs, dual ballast and reflectors. the t5's i was lucky and got from a friend for dirt cheap but you can find some good ones at great deals. Anyway it appears I'm rambling on, I hope you get set up with something nice! =D

p.s. not a pressing matter, but in the future you might want to look into modding your seaclone or even better, replacing it with a more capable skimmer. For the price you can't ask much more from them but nonetheless the performance is lacking. Just FYI

[markandkristen]

if you can hang a light the aqua medic 250 watt pendant would be nice. of course if your just wanting to get started then you might want to just start out with a t5 fixture that may not have the individual reflectors such as the current odyssey i think thier around 150 and by the time its time to change bulbs you will hav e some experience under your belt and can head toward sps etc.. if you choose that route.then head for a more nicer light.

as suggested .. that skimmer might need some tweeking..
just be careful with the tangs (which might be one reason you got hooked into this hobby) :) they poop alot and a good skimmer is a must.

[mlee4984]

Thanks guys for the input. Can anyone direct me to where I can find more info about modding my skimmer and retro-fitting lighting?

-Mike

[mat167]

http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/seaclone_modifications.htm
That's a pretty good one for seaclone mods. I have a friend who did that to his seaclone100, and instead of pulling out 1/4" of weak, tea colored skimmate it was pulling out a full inch of coffee-like sludge (over the course of a week).

http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/?s=&menu=12

has a bunch of sites for diy, theres one for canopies.

[mlee4984]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13749109#post13749109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mat167
The only problem with t5's that I can foresee is that you might not have enough room for several bulbs in order to get enough light for maintaining a good reef. Yes, I know it depends on what you want to keep, but if you really want to look into a good system I'd go with a nice strong MH bulb centered and t5's in front and back. What kind of sucks about lighting is that every system is different and chances are you'll find something to change after a few months.
Just to give you an example...I made my own canopy and retrofitted 2x250W MH with a fan and 4x39W t5's. It cost about $500 CAN for the bulbs, dual ballast and reflectors. the t5's i was lucky and got from a friend for dirt cheap but you can find some good ones at great deals. Anyway it appears I'm rambling on, I hope you get set up with something nice! =D

p.s. not a pressing matter, but in the future you might want to look into modding your seaclone or even better, replacing it with a more capable skimmer. For the price you can't ask much more from them but nonetheless the performance is lacking. Just FYI

Yes, I'm not sure if I have room to mount something with 4-6 bulbs. I was thinking of custom mounting them some how... The longest part of the tank is about 28-29 inches wide...

[mat167]

I think you might get a lot of benefit from a MH pendant. A nice 400 watt bulb maybe, smack in the middle of your tank.

[mordibv]

How bout the one ? The poor guy must have really heard an earful from his other half .


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1510621

[mlee4984]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13777059#post13777059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mordibv
How bout the one ? The poor guy must have really heard an earful from his other half .


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1510621

Thing looks amazing but I can't hang anything from the ceiling since its about 10' + and the price is about the cost of my left nut... :lol:

I've been looking at the Nova Extreme Pro, looking at the 20" and the 36" and maybe modding the mounts/legs some how to fit the 29" opening.

My question is, if I get the 36", it will only provide 234 watts, and according to the rule of watts/gallon... I need 375 watts to provide proper lighting. Are there bulbs that provide extra wattage or does retrofitting come into play here?

Soft corals and fish will be in the tank.

Sorry for the NOOB questions. Thanks

[mordibv]

I would think depth is a factor too . I would look into t-5's . 4 x 39 + 2 x 24 with good reflectors if it will retrofit .

[mlee4984]

Thanks mordibv! This is a very expensive hobby btw...