Need help! Saltwater lighting?!

[sweetpickles7]

I am having trouble finding a MH or PC light that will fit my 29gal saltwater tank. The only thing i want coral wise are zoa's and a few polyps [ would like some sort of anemone later on but dont think its possible]. I would like there to have lunar/ bluemoon leds on it too. Can some one help me please. I am having no luck at all!

 

[alter40]

Wouldn't a 30" light like this work? Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Dual Satellite Compact Fluorescent Fixtures

 

[sweetpickles7]

Im not having trouble finding one that will fit long enough, im having trouble cause the MH lights that i have looked at have been to wide, so about 1-2in hang off in every direction.

 

[alter40]

So are you saying they are all too long? This light looks like it could fit on the tank too and it has the lunar lighting. If you want the MH on the tank like a regular light I think it will get to hot. I think that this light comes with legs to hold it slightly above the tank or you can get the hanging kit if you want it higher.
Reef Aquarium Metal Halide Lighting: SunPod HQI Metal Halide Fixtures with Lunar Lights

Hopefully I'm on the right track and not just showing you all the stuff you have already looked at

 

[sweetpickles7]

Im saying they are to wide. The length is perfect.

 

[alter40]

Ohh haha don't mind me... I'm a little slow

 

[Lotus]

The Orbit might work for you: 30" Orbit 2x65W SunPaq w/Lunar Lights/Fan(Current)

The SunPod shouldn't be too wide for your tank.

 

[sweetpickles7]

I LIKE IT!!! Would that be enough watts for zoa's and a few polyps? Im confused i have been told that i need 10watts per gallon but i have also been told that 3-5 watts are good enough?

 

[Lotus]

Well, the watts per gallon doesn't really apply so well in saltwater. There is also a difference in intensity of various types of lighting. A PC light isn't equal to a MH of the same wattage.

I think with 2x65w PC you should be able to have zoanthids, some LPS (if you want), leathers and soft corals and some lower light corals like mushrooms at the bottom of the tank. You probably won't be able to keep an anemone with PC lighting, but some people have been sucessful.

 

[sweetpickles7]

Well i really like the sunpaq, i think i might get that. I just have to wait till they have it in stock. How long do you think that will be?

 

[Lotus]

PM Pearl Agg, or post in the Aquarium Guys forum. Hopefully, she'll be able to find out Don't forget to ask for your discount code

 

[sweetpickles7]

Okay, thanks!

 

[sweetpickles7]

Is there such a thing as a Power Compact 30" fixture with more than 130watts? I cant find any, i looked at dr. foster & smith, big al's, and aquarium guys.

 

[pearl_aqg]

Sorry I missed this post - looking into ETA on the next Current shipment, will let you know what I find out.

You're probably not going to find a 30" pc fixture with crazy wattage; esp since power compacts are designed to reduce wattage - what you get is increased lumens per watt (lumens being a measure of brightness/intensity) - so wattage is not a fast and hard guide in terms of lighting with these systems. It indicates how much energy your bulb is using, which is of course related to how intense the light is, but won't necessarily apply to the formula you're using if it's a general watts/gallon type guide. With energy saving bulbs like pcs you can easily see lower wattages with bigger results. If you think you need more wattage from your fixture, you may have to add another strip if you stay in the pc realm.

 

[pearl_aqg]

Unfortunately we don't expect a new shipment from Current for a couple of weeks, but I'll pm ya when it comes in, in case you're still interested.