Lighting question?

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

What kind of lighting should I use for a 40 gallon breeder tank? All that I would want to house in this tank would be a pair of clowns, a host anenome, and maybe a few mushrooms, and maybe some kind of goby to keep the sand stirred up...that's about it* Anyway I'm open to all suggestions and really apreciate the help.....oh yeah and if anyone has any questions on the stuff I have for this setup just ask* Thanks everyone.

[ReefNeck]

What kind of lighting should I use for a 40 gallon breeder tank? All that I would want to house in this tank would be a pair of clowns, a host anenome, and maybe a few mushrooms, and maybe some kind of goby to keep the sand stirred up...that's about it* Anyway I'm open to all suggestions and really apreciate the help.....oh yeah and if anyone has any questions on the stuff I have for this setup just ask* Thanks everyone.

You would need at bare minimum, T5's and better yet, MH's. Anemones require alot of light. Clowns don't "NEED" an anemone. It is fun to watch though. If you pass on the anemone then even Dual NO's could work for you. Shrooms are not real demanding of lights like most Corals are.

[graphixx]

I agree with Keri, you will want some good lighting for your anenome. t5's are your best bang for your buck!!! I would get the best lighting you can afford right now so youdo not have to upgrade further downt he road. if you do it right the first time it makes it soooo much easier
ALSO......... WELCOME TO CAPTIVE REEFING!!!

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Yeah I figured that I would need a good deal a lighting for an anenome but I wasn't sure how much. What does everyone think of the stuff below?Would one of those would be plenty since it's a very shallow tank "same height as a 20 long", or should I go with something else? Anyways thanks for the warm welcome, the only saltwater tank I've ever had was a f\o 75g with a lionfish, so when it comes to invert's lighting needs I'm completly lost***

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13922

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=7364

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12112

[graphixx]

I would go with the second one IMO that is good lighting for a small tank and should provide more than enough light for an anenome

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Yeah I was leaning on that one as my favorite, now should I go with the 10k or 14k? Also, would that be enough lighting alone or will I need some actenics also?

[graphixx]

I would go witht he 14K and maybe some actinics

[ReefNeck]

I think I will just bow out of this topic now. Getting tired of posting "I agree with Greg"! :) Because I do agree. I'll only respond if I disagree with something. lol

[graphixx]

your too funny Keri, I hope you dont dis agree with anything I say :D

[ReefNeck]

your too funny Keri, I hope you dont dis agree with anything I say :D

Not yet! You always seem to give good advice and I soak in alot of it myself. :) Keep up the good work.

[graphixx]

thanx buddy :D

[spookey]

is rope lighting good for a tank to make some moonlight??

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Okay so I've desided to go with a 20gal long instead of the 40gal breeder...I want to have a large ratio of live rock so using a smaller tank will help with my budget quite a bit. Since I'm going to be using a 55gal for my sump, and a 10gal for a refugium, I don't beleive that water quality will suffer much. Can anyone give me a more specific answer to my lighting question? I was considering maybe stepping down and using coralife's lunar light set up that's rated at 130w....anyways I want to do this right the first time, so please, suggestions are very welcomed.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12109&N=2004+113345

here's the link for this item...it says in there latest catalog that it's rated at 130 watts, one 65lamp and one 65atnic.

[lReef lKeeper]

those will be just fine depending on what you are going to keep in the tank with the anemone. should be fine for almost anything if the coral is placed right, but only the hardiest SPS corals. the second light in your 1st post with some actinics and you will be able to keep anything you want.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

With the coralife 130w fixture that I sent the link for...I would wish to keep two O. clown fish, a host enenome for them, and some mushrooms...does everyone think that this will be enough light?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12109&N=2004+113345

[lReef lKeeper]

that will be great for what you listed and for quite a lot of other corals too.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Okay well thank you very much...I just wanted some help because all I've heard is that anenomes needed an incredible amount of light...and I wasn't sure whether that woujld be enough or not.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Will anyone concur that the 130w fixture will be enough for these tankmates before I go buy it?
2 O. clowns
1 anenome
misc. mushrooms

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

here's the link again;
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12109&N=2004+113345

[Whoyah]

I believe the one you have is fine but you may want consider going with a T5 fixture instead of power compact. You will get more light out of T5 then PC, when comparing power usage. Plus the bulbs are cheaper. You might consider a pair of these instead the PC fixture. If that is not the right length for your 20 long, just look around.

http://www.hellolights.com/30aqt5dolist.html

[davejnz]

I would have to disagree with MH for this tank.I also have a 40breeeder,it is a shallow tank as well as being 36" long.You would need 2x175MH as well as a pair of actinic flourescents to supplement it.This is a perfect tank IMO for a 4x39w T5 setup that will use alot less electricity and provide equal PAR to the 2x175MH.If you overdrive them on the IC660,you'll get even more PAR than if you were running 250MH's over it.
BTW,I wouldn't recommend useing the IC660 for T5's on this tank if you plan on keeping mushrooms,shrooms are low light corallimorphs and wouldn't do well in such a brightly lit tank.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Hmm well dave since your 40gal is my inspiration for doing this setup, I will value your opinion greatly. I want this tank's lighting set up around the anenome...so everything else (shrooms) will come secind in importance. With that said, what would your perfect lighting setup for this tank be? IYO

[davejnz]

Well,the only anemone i would consider keeping in captivity is a bubble-tip anemone(Enacmea quadricolor).These are very hard IME,especially considering that there are many captive raised clones availiable.These anemones will do well under moderate lighting as well as intense lighting.If you have plans on upgradeing in the future,I would recommend an IceCap660/4x39w T5 setup.This is a retrofit system and will require you to have a canopy to install the components in.One thing to consider though is that this lighting system is going to be intense,you will have problems keeping low-light corals such as mushrooms.Otherwise,its a perfect setup because in the event you decide to upgrade,you can use the ballast to run longer bulbs for a bigger tank.I use the same ballast/setup for my 75 as well.

[Whoyah]

I guess I am little confused. DarkAngel, I thought you were changing to a 20 gallon long instead of the 40L. Also, I thought the light you were considering was a 2 x65w PC not a metal halide set-up. Maybe I missed something.

[davejnz]

No Shad,It was I that misunderstood,I didn't notice the post where he decided to go with a 20 long instead of the 40 breeder.That tank is 30" long,you'll have to use the 22" tubes on it.A 4x24wT5 retro with spec ballasts like a Triad or Advance Centium should light it nicely.Just stagger the bulbs in the canopy.Don't skimp on reflectors for your T5's,the IceCap reflectors are way better than the Tek reflectors IME.I think they're only about $5 more than the Teks anyways.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Okay dave "and everyone else" I've been looking around and trying to learn more about T5's and I found this fixture ::Look at the link below:: It's listed at $144.00 but they deduct $51.00 if you order it without the supplied lamps, so I was thinking I could just deduct those and buy my own bulbs somewhere else.... Anyways it's a 4x96 watt setup, which is what everyone has told me that I needed so I thought I might go with this. What does everyone think?
Oh and just to stop any confusion, this will be for my 20L tank...with the major concern being for my furture BTA anenome and 2 O. Clownfish << I want my lighting setup around them*

http://www.specialty-lights.com/960203.html

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Oh and Whoyah I am going to be using the 20L and I'm either leaning towards the 2x65 lunar lights fixture...or the T5 fixture stated above...sorry if I confused anyone.

[Whoyah]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

Here is another T5 fixture you might consider. It comes with right bulbs, moon lights, plus it has a little more finished look.

Something to keep in mind when you finally decide on a light and install it over the tank, is to be sure to acclimate the anemone and corals to the new, high power light. I have used the screen method in the past. If you need more info on this, I would be more then happy to explain.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Thanks Whoyah, I saw that fixture too but I guess it didn't click to me that it was the same thing only better. Yes! please...I would love for you to explain this to me.

[Whoyah]

I use a piece of white, grid panel ( typecially used for drop ceiling lights)for support, cut to fit the top of the tank. Then three layers of standard fiberglass window screen material. Stack all of the layers of material to begin with and remove one layer per week until gone. This will slowly acclimate your tank to the new light. I don't shorten the photo period when I use this method. There is certainly other ways of acclimating the tank to the light but this works will. With out acclimating the tank you run the risk of burning the corals. Kind of like sending a pale face like me south of the border with out a hat or sunscreen. :(

I would also recommend using this method, maybe only a 1 or 2 layers, when you replace the bulbs.

[Sweetpea]

With out acclimating the tank you run the risk of burning the corals. Kind of like sending a pale face like me south of the border with out a hat or sunscreen. :(

I hear you on that one, lol! :cool:

darkangel, it sounds like you're heading in the right direction... keep us posted, okay? :)

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Oh yes I surely will, I've just been real worried about getting the right lighting set up for this tank lol that's the part of saltwater that I don't yet understand...but so far 4x24 T5's it shall be*

[davejnz]

The first fixture in the link is better than the one from DR.Foster&Smith.The only thing is its a 24" fixture,so you'll have some dark spots near the ends of the tanks(good place for low light mushrooms/corals).However,the bulbs there are junk IMO.They give you the option of obmitting the bulbs from the fixture for a $51 discount.I would do this and place a bulb order from reefgeeks.com.Go with 1-G.E.6500k,1-Giesemmann/D&D aquablue,and 2-Giessemann/D&D blue+.Stay away from the true actinic T5's and the D&D sun(6500k) bulbs.
The T5 bulbs that have the highest PAR from first to last are this.G.E. 6500k,the D&D aquablue,the D&D sun which is just a tad brighter than the next on the list,the D&D blue+,then last is the D&D true actinic

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Yeah I thought that fixture looked better built...Oh and don't worry, I would definatly be taking the no-bulb order option. Thank you very much though for pointing me in the right direction for the right bulbs...I have no experience when it comes to T5's and any input helps a lot. Oh and I could be wrong...but I think that the tank I want to use is 24 inches wide...hmm, I will measure it tomorrow.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Oh yes and dave, I haven't been able to find your 40g build anywhere...think you can help me out and send a link?

[davejnz]

http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=532

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Thanks for the link dave, haha I'm gonna be using your build for a guideline if you don't mind. Anyways I ordered that new wave fixture the other day "without the bulbs" and it came in just fine, I'll be ordering some good bulbs for it soon...and maybe some different reflectors when I start setting things up.

Everything I have now \/ \/

*20gal long for the show tank
*55gal tank for the sump
*seaclone 150 skimmer
*seaclone 100 skimmer
"I'll be running both skimmers in the sump"
*new wave 4x24 T5 fixture "without bulbs"
*40lbs of arag-alive pink fiji sand
*bucket of reef crystals salt

I'm still waiting to get everything to start this setup, still need pumps, holes for plumbing, etc. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to let me know*

[davejnz]

Why don't you draw up a diagram on where/how many holes you plan on drilling in the tank at.AS well as a diagram for your sump layout that we might be able to critique/offer suggestions to improve them(if needed)

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Hmm that's a good idea...I'll try to get some work done with paint as soon as I can get a little more time on my hands.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

I think I posted this attachement correctly.
This is what I was thinking about doing with the 55gal.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Haha dang, my paint skills do suck....

[jojo22]

I would add a crash box at the front to help with micro bubbles

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

picture?

[jojo22]

no but can explain. just box off a small corner in the sump and put the intake ose allthe way near the bottom that way the water can't splash.

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Oh so basically just extend the pvc pipe down into the water? Sorry I'm sure it's really an easy concept, but I confuse easily.

[jojo22]

This should help you a lot with your sump

http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=2494&highlight=sump+design

[jojo22]

Also I would put LR in with the skimmers if you use them as hang ons

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

yeah I was going to do that "with the LR" that is, I have a lot of little rubble pieces that I'm not going to use for the show tank that I'll put in there.

[jojo22]

Did the link to the other thread help?

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Oh and thanks for that link...I might do as he did with his last drawing and put the skimmers in that first section...I had thought about that too but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea since I have two now and want to keep ample space for upgrades later on.

[jojo22]

one on each side might be a good idea

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Here's one more sketch

[DaRkAnGeLs7]

Well I finaly got some lamps today for the T5 fixture, two 460 atnics and two 6500k...I think these will do alright, I got them for cheap though so if I learn differently I can always replace them. Dave do you have any comments on this?