Just a simple Lighting question.

Mr.Richard.Wood · 12-23-2011, 05:32 PM

I was in the lighting section of the forum, and unfortunately, i was unable to find what i was looking for. I hope that somebody could assist me without going over my head.
I am a about 2 years new to the saltwater side of things, and I am begining to move on with corals. I currently have a 45 long salt tank, with a 54 watt t-5 HO. I have more fixures to increase the lighting, but before i go out and spend a small fortune on tubes, I am curious as to the Watts per gallon. I have heard 5 watts per gallon, but holy cow thats BRIGHT!! I will be starting out with the beginers type of coral bought for about 20-ish bucks until i get the hang of it...

Thank you to anyone who can assist..
Rich

Reefing Madness · 12-23-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Richard.Wood

I was in the lighting section of the forum, and unfortunately, i was unable to find what i was looking for. I hope that somebody could assist me without going over my head.
I am a about 2 years new to the saltwater side of things, and I am begining to move on with corals. I currently have a 45 long salt tank, with a 54 watt t-5 HO. I have more fixures to increase the lighting, but before i go out and spend a small fortune on tubes, I am curious as to the Watts per gallon. I have heard 5 watts per gallon, but holy cow thats BRIGHT!! I will be starting out with the beginers type of coral bought for about 20-ish bucks until i get the hang of it...

Thank you to anyone who can assist..
Rich

Going with T-5's your looking at a base of 4watts per gallon to start, for low lighting corals. LED's are different. But for Halides and T-5's starting at 4watts per gallon for beginner corals is a good base. Your looking at like, Kenya Trees, Button Polyps, Mushrooms and such.
48" 4ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood Marine Reef Coral Cichlid 216W LED Legs Fan Timer | eBay

Mr.Richard.Wood · 12-24-2011, 08:50 AM

That was simple reply.. Thank you.. I will start with that and see what results i get..

Much appreciated, thank you

bchris113 · 12-24-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefing Madness

Going with T-5's your looking at a base of 4watts per gallon to start, for low lighting corals. LED's are different. But for Halides and T-5's starting at 4watts per gallon for beginner corals is a good base. Your looking at like, Kenya Trees, Button Polyps, Mushrooms and such.
48" 4ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood Marine Reef Coral Cichlid 216W LED Legs Fan Timer | eBay

What would the led equivalent be?

Thank you.

archer772 · 12-24-2011, 11:29 AM

With quality T-5 bulbs and reflectors you can get away with 2 bulbs over your 45 for lower light corals and 3 bulbs would get you close to high light corals.

Reefing Madness · 12-24-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bchris113

What would the led equivalent be?

Thank you.

On a 45g tank around you can get a unit at 40-60 watts. 80-120 watts for a Reef.

Reefing Madness · 12-24-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer772

With quality T-5 bulbs and reflectors you can get away with 2 bulbs over your 45 for lower light corals and 3 bulbs would get you close to high light corals.

2 White light bulbs. the use of 3 bulbs would mean 2 White Light and one Actinic. Thats why I throw in the 4 lamp unit, so they have 2 white lights and 2 actinics.

archer772 · 12-24-2011, 11:42 AM

But with UVL or Giesmann bulbs in the 11-14K you can get ample par and great color

and quality reflectors drive down that much more light.

Reefing Madness · 12-24-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer772

But with UVL or Giesmann bulbs in the 11-14K you can get ample par and great color

and quality reflectors drive down that much more light.

I was thinkin 12k, but still liked the color more using Actinics. But, I guess at that point its all in the eye of the beholder. But 2 12k over 45, hmm. Not my tank, but it might work. Not enough light for my taste though.

12-23-2011, 05:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr.Richard.Wood Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just a simple Lighting question. I was in the lighting section of the forum, and unfortunately, i was unable to find what i was looking for. I hope that somebody could assist me without going over my head. I am a about 2 years new to the saltwater side of things, and I am begining to move on with corals. I currently have a 45 long salt tank, with a 54 watt t-5 HO. I have more fixures to increase the lighting, but before i go out and spend a small fortune on tubes, I am curious as to the Watts per gallon. I have heard 5 watts per gallon, but holy cow thats BRIGHT!! I will be starting out with the beginers type of coral bought for about 20-ish bucks until i get the hang of it... Thank you to anyone who can assist.. Rich

12-24-2011, 08:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mr.Richard.Wood Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Just a simple Lighting question. That was simple reply.. Thank you.. I will start with that and see what results i get.. Much appreciated, thank you

12-24-2011, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
archer772 archer772's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 943 Name: Scott Location: Michigan My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 273 Times Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 261 Times in 250 Posts	Re: Just a simple Lighting question. With quality T-5 bulbs and reflectors you can get away with 2 bulbs over your 45 for lower light corals and 3 bulbs would get you close to high light corals.

12-24-2011, 11:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
archer772 archer772's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 943 Name: Scott Location: Michigan My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 273 Times Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 261 Times in 250 Posts	Re: Just a simple Lighting question. But with UVL or Giesmann bulbs in the 11-14K you can get ample par and great color and quality reflectors drive down that much more light.

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