lighting question

[everl0ng]

ok, for my 20H right now i have a Power-Glo bulb that is 15W as well as a Marine-Glo in two separate fixtures over my tank. they say they are ideal for corals, inverts and saltwater aquariums. i just set the tank up a week ago and have only a few pieces of rock at the moment until i get paid friday. i was wondering if i will need to upgrade my lighting if i want to house anemones and corals and inverts ever?

[everl0ng]

i don't know if it makes a difference, but they say they are T-8? the lux is 55?

[JGoslee]

Those are normal output bulbs. Definatly not strong enough for corals and an anemone.

[newreefbishop]

what is total wattage of the tank.....calculate the watts from each bulb for a total. to grow hard or stony stuff including clams you need at least 3-5 watts per gallon. So figure on needing 100 wats total to grow anything you need. Nevermind the lux.....or candle power.....look at the wattage my friend

[everl0ng]

since i am new at this, can you recommend a bulb that would fit into a normal 20H strip, or do i need to purchase a new fixture?

[bertoni]

A new bulb won't do any good. The ballast needs to match the bulb to get more light. A new fixture is the way to go, in my opinion.

There are a number of alternatives, but the Tek T5 lighting has gotten good reviews. I prefer metal halide, but that would be more expensive, I think.

Can you look at any tanks in person? That's a good way to judge lighting.

[bertoni]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=550860

That thread might be interesting.

[everl0ng]

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CL1313 would this be effective?

[bertoni]

That's a 65 W PC setup, and soft corals should be okay under that, although they might not grow that well. That's far too dim for many (but not all) stony corals.

[everl0ng]

ok bertoni, you really seem to know your stuff...so, how about this fixture? this is the last time i am going to ask because if i don't get it right, i am going to stick with a FOWLR setup!
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_aqualight.html
i was thinking about the 24'' dual satellite

[everl0ng]

or this one, i just found it!! i am so excited!!

[everl0ng]

lol that i didn't even include the link hahaha
http://www.hellolights.com/241xcoraqpch1.html

[bertoni]

From the first link, this one would give more light:

24" Coralife Aqualight
Dual Linear Strip
(130W Total)

That's very similar to what I have over one of my 29g setups. It still wouldn't keep Acropora and similar high-light animals, but it'd be more light than the second link, which is just one 65 W bulb.

For the light-demanding animals, this choice might get some recommendations:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104186.html

My other tank has something similar to this:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104516.html

and the anemone seems to be happy with it.

I have never ordered lighting from ReefGeek.com, and I don't know much about T5 setups, so you might want to do some more looking. Lighting is critical to a reef, and deserves some attention.