lighting
- Thread starter raymond2688
- Start date
its not as easy as just replacing the bulbs.... your going to need the whole fixture! if you go with T5 id say you need at least a 6 bulb setup but 8 bulbs would be better.. personally im a metal halide kinda guy buy that may not be so practical for a beginer unless your ready to drop some cash! btw you can usually find a deal on ebay!
My only advice is to go with the best possible light set up that you can from the start. If you settle you will be wasting money as you will want to upgrade downt he road. There are benefits and pitfalls on each type of lighting ....
T5's are great and provide good growth etc on all corals provided that you have enough and that each bulb has it's own seperate reflector etc. they don't provide the shimmer effect that metal halide lights will but then they don't put out the heat either and are more economical to run than halides (bulbs are cheaper and they don't use as much power). Halides offer a great shimmer and high intensity light but they are costly, run hot, and usually you need to run supplemental actinics for the blue lighting unless you run high k bulbs. Both of these set ups are costly to start but can be done as a retrofit if you know or are handy......You need to know your heat issues, the types of corals you want to keep in the long run etc.
T5's are great and provide good growth etc on all corals provided that you have enough and that each bulb has it's own seperate reflector etc. they don't provide the shimmer effect that metal halide lights will but then they don't put out the heat either and are more economical to run than halides (bulbs are cheaper and they don't use as much power). Halides offer a great shimmer and high intensity light but they are costly, run hot, and usually you need to run supplemental actinics for the blue lighting unless you run high k bulbs. Both of these set ups are costly to start but can be done as a retrofit if you know or are handy......You need to know your heat issues, the types of corals you want to keep in the long run etc.
well again because i am a beginner my LFS told me that those lights listed above were what i needed so i am already out about 125 bucks four those 4 bulbs. that is why i am asking my questions on here so i dont waste any more money. i appreciate everyones advice. my tank is a 125 gallon 6 ft long i have no idea what corals i am going to keep so maybe a few setup ideas for a well rounded tank. maybe a couple makes and models
of a couple lighting systems will help.
of a couple lighting systems will help.
are you handy? would you want to build your own canopy? it is cheaper to build your own than to buy a complete light. You can get a great t5 set up and as you have a 125 I assume it is a 6 ft tank? You will need strong lighting to light a tank that size. Metal halide fixture complete with t5 supplemental and moon lights and fans will run you over $1000 for a good light fixture a t5 fixture is a bit less I would think. there are numerous manufaturers out there and most are all reputable. Do not buy from an lfs as they will rape you......go to ebay and check out some of the fixtures there.....also try some online marine supply sites.....lighting is the most expensive part of the hobby after live rock......get a light that is more powerful than you think you will need and that way when you want to graduate to sps or other more light dependant corals and clams you will be set.
i am handy as i build houses for a living.....i was wondering i also have a tanning salon along with a tanning bed in the house......can these bulbs be used for this application.
i have a closet full of replaced bulbs that are plenty good but i have to replace them regularly for the salon. just an idea....
i have a closet full of replaced bulbs that are plenty good but i have to replace them regularly for the salon. just an idea....
