lighting question

lwaxman · #1 01/09/2008, 01:31 PM

so I am interested in getting a light for a reef tank. I am not rich so i am looking at fixtures online. what do you all think about a coralight fixture one bulb is 18 wt 10,000k lamp and the other bulb is 18wt true actinic 03 lamp. its a two bulb fixture. i have a 29 gallon tank. 30 inches long and about a foot and a half tall. i have about 20 pounds of live rock and live sand in the tank. i would love to add coral and anemones. thanks for all your help

Shooter7 · #2 01/09/2008, 01:57 PM

Not enough light except for maybe some shrooms or other very low light corals. If you're planning on a large variety of corals, and especially anemone, then you need to be looking MH or T5 lighting. Depending on how your setup is (canopy, etc), you can look at retrofit kits and save some money over fixtures.

Ryeseedboy · #3 01/09/2008, 03:48 PM

I agree you need more light
2x55 watts would be best.
These in power compact are fairly inexpensive.
Plus the more light with 10k and actinic will make things look great.
Maybe get one with 2 switch's so you can set the light on timer so actinics are on longer than the 10k.

lwaxman · #4 01/09/2008, 05:18 PM

thanks i appreciate your help

mikemartinez · #5 01/09/2008, 05:29 PM

If possible try to go for something like 2x65watt PC lighting which is what I used to have on my 29 with the exact measurements as yours.

I had a Coralife Aqualights I think.. The one that has the moonlights on it... Go to the seller section on here and see if someone is selling one used.. That's how I got mine before I moved up to the viper lamp..

bertoni · #6 01/09/2008, 05:34 PM

A good T5 setup would be more light-efficient, but I agree that 2 65 W PC bulbs would be fine for soft corals.

Shooter7 · #7 01/09/2008, 05:40 PM

However, guys, in the OP he is asking for lighting advice and stating he wants to keep anemones. I would suggest something stronger than PC's if that's the route you are considering taking.

ahullsb · #8 01/09/2008, 06:18 PM

I agree Shooter. lwaxman, if you want to eventually keep an anemone, buy a t5 or mh setup. Since money is an issue, (like it is for most of us) check craigslist, the local club forums here on reefcentral, or the used goods forum and you might be able to find a better deal. If you only want to keep low light corals, the lights you were referencing would probably work.