#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I am completely new to the saltwater hobby and want to set up a 30g tank with the lighting appropriate to house some live rock, a few fish and inverts, nothing too exravagent. All the info on lightinghowever has completely confused me. I am converting the 30g from a fresh water to a salt water, the tank is set up with saltwater, filter, protein skimmer and live rock, I am just starting week two with the set up and am cycling nicely. I bought a replacment bulb for my current light fixture (flourescent hood, single bulb) I believe its actinic blue, 24 inchs and rated for reef tanks. After reading the outstanding amount of literature though, I am left confused....I am not sure how to set up the lighting, I realize now most of the fixtures are suspended above the tank I am guessing becuase some types of lighting put off a great deal of heat, and the entire hood scenario is different. I am assume most of the time the tank is open, and am totally confused on how to setthisup or if I should even be using my old hood at all.....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#HELLPPPP!!Any suggesstions would be appreciated, sorry if I seem a bit ignorant. I have been working with freshwater so long, this is a foregin land....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
what is the out put of the bulb. if your are just wanting fish and inverts you do not need too extravagant of lighting. you can go with a powercompact light and should be just fine.
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I do also want to have some live rock, which already has some corals on it, I just want to make sure I have enough light to sustain it. I am interested in Sea Horses as well but have be told they can be difficult to keep so I am waiting till I get the hang of this first. What I am still confused about is the hood set up itself, is itcorrect to keep the tank open, with the light fixture on legs above it? Dosent this speed up evaporation?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#umm i got some help i have a 30 gal but mine is a 30x18 sooi got this really cool pc its called a Sattelite its good quality and i read how you like it suspended no problem just get the 6 dollar suspensions and a 16 dollar glass plate and THROW the plastic hood in the GARBAGE lol thats what i did and that will put you around 75 with one strip but you need two strip bc yours is a deep tank so that will put around 120 BUT dont forget about how much the bulbs are they get quite expensive but thats what im doin and im gettin some corals for christmas soo just thought i should help you out since we are in the same scenario. hope this helps #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#