which PC is best for me?

[mkp523]

OK, now that i know that your stand florescent light wont do much good thanks to you guys, I'm in the market for some better lighting. Again, I have a standard 30 gallon long, 30 lbs of live rock, crushed coral subrate, powerhead, skilter 250, and heater (no fish yet). Based on everything which power compact would you guys recommend me buying? I'm probably going to get it off e-bay in order to get a deal. Another issue my current light is 35in X 4.05in and fits perfectly in the space provided on my hood for the light. I would want something that could fit that if possible. if not, what are my options?

Thank you,
Mark

[reeferX777]

a standard 30 long is 4 feet, so IMO I would go with 2 110 watt VHO bulbs, plenty of light for a 30g, and all around better than PC.

[mkp523]

Any specific model? Will i have to get a new hood or will it fit the space that is provided in my current hood? Im browsing through ebay and a few other websites and i cannot find one that will fit. nor one that comes with a hood that will fit my tank :( this is proving to be a pain in the butt

[theop]

I seriously doubt your 30 gal is 4 feet long. Here are some standard dimension for 30's:

30 Gallon 36 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 16 3/4
30 Breeder 36 3/16 x 18 1/4 x 12 15/16
30 X-High 24 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 24 3/4

So likely your tank is 36" wide.
As for lights, it depends on what you want to keep.

I like power compact lights as the bulbs aren't too expensive. You could get a 30" hood with 1 or 2 65W bulbs, or you could probably fit a 36" hood with 1 or 2 96W bulbs.

If the depth (front to back as you look at the tank head on) is a concern, most single tube CF hoods are only about 5" deep.

96W on a 30 gal would be 3 watts/gal which should be enough for alot of different corals and polyps and mushrooms.

I got my last hood from here: It lists the dimensions of each hood. I have owned both Coralife Aqualight Power Compact
Strip Lights and a Current USA Satellite Power Compact Fixture w/ Lunar Light. I like the Coralife one better for basically the same price.

[lvreefer]

The only 30" bulbs that I know of are NO. So either go with the longest PC's that fit or stagger some 24" VHO bulbs. Which ever you pick go with a 1:1 ratio (daylight/actinic).

[Toddrtrex]

I would go with two 96 watt PC. You can get a 36" hood that would fit over the tank perfectly. I am using that over my 29 (Yes it does hang over the sides- duct tape - it was from my 58g) My 12" BTA has been happy under it for 2 yrs now. HTH

[reeferX777]

So "theop" you seriously doubt that a 30 is 4 feet?? Is that a joke?? Have you never seen a 30 long? I know I have. Its the same base dimensions as a 40 long or a 55 just shorter. Wow you should research before you straight out flame someone. That's just rude and incorrect, I mean if you were right it would be one thing, but you're not... so deal with it.

[d4a2n0k]

A 30 gallon long tank is 36" long, same with the 40 breeder. It is not the same length as a 55 gallon which is 48" long.

Heres a link showing the correct dimensions

http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.html

[d4a2n0k]

As for the original question, Id say 2 x 96w PC's will light that tank nicely.

[Toddrtrex]

Hmm, 30g long oceanic 36.5"L X 12.5"D X 17.5"H

http://www.dallasnorthaquarium.com/aquariums_main.htm

[theop]

Originally posted by reeferX777
So "theop" you seriously doubt that a 30 is 4 feet?? Is that a joke??
There was no attempt to flame you. But I know that I am correct and to quote your own post: "I mean if you were right it would be one thing, but you're not... so deal with it".

I think you should take one foot off your tank length and your other foot out of your mouth.

I simply did not want him to go order a 48" hood to have it be too long.

If you disagree with me, please post a link to any aquarium manufaturer's web site or retail site showing the dimensions of a standard 30 long aquarium or even a 30 breeder being 48" long. As I have a 55 FW setup and set up a friend's 30 gal tank, I know them to be different lengths. While in theory any size tank could be built 48" long, a 30g in that configuration would be a custom job.

[d4a2n0k]

All glass makes the 33 long which is 48" long but it is a horrible sized tank, thats why nobody has them.

[mikebon111]

I would go with 96X2. I think your best bet is a JBJ or orbits, something like that. Those are fairly inexpensive and come with everything you need IE. Reflector, fans , bulbs , brackets.Some of the DYI projects get pricey after it's all said and done.

[PrangeWay]

If your going for PC light fixtures anyways, you might want to think about one of the simpler t5 hoods like orbits t5 extreme (4-39W for 36" tanks) or the Finnex one Premium Aquatics sells (think like 130). Though there are probably a few more options there to.

They run cooler than pc's, bulbs last longer, generally cheaper and working in the same light/par/lux range.


PW

[mkp523]

Thanks for all of your replies, but im still scratching my head. I've been looking at all of your suggestions www.marineandreef.com and ebay and it appear they sell only the light. In which if i purchased wouldnt completely cover my tank (like a hood) nor will it fit my current hood where my F8 light is (L34.5 x W4.04). My current hood has a glass on it to fit the light, cut outs for the filters and heaters and whatever else behind it, then the front opens to feed/waterchanges/whatever else. so what am i suppose to do? my tank is L36.05" x W12.52" x H16.53". The length of the actual glass is 36 inches. So my final question before i go and send $200... who makes a hood that will fit my tank that will fit the lighting fixture? anything bigger then my current light will lose it to plastic or collide with my filter :( uhgg help
-Mark

[mikebon111]

Well, your probably not going to be able to keep your current light fixture, or I should say its probably not going to be worth the hassle of retro fitting a single 55 W. PC in. I also think you would be better off losing the glass lid. I just looked on ebay and seen several hood systems that will do you good. Go to the lighting link and enter 36 in the search bar and you will see pretty much everything that will work without DYI retrofitting. I did not see total dementions but I think the 36"ers are 12" wide, your tank should be about 13" wide. I really do not think the 1 or 2" inches of uncovered tank will hurt you unless you get jumping fish and even then you can get plastic trim pieces at petco then cut them to fit.One other thing, DYI canopy for a tank of your size is a piece of cake to make. you could possibly get one 8 or 10' board @ home depot Cut to make the entire thing. I hope I can help. Some times I notice that I offer too many"I thinks, probablys, possiblys,shoulds" Oh well IMO

[d4a2n0k]

Take a look at this fixture. It has 2 x 96w and 1 moonlight. It rests on the edges of your tank and is 36" long.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU01023

You wont need a glass cover with this, it is beneficial to leave it off anyway.

[mkp523]

i ended up getting this :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3981217914&ed=1119046125000&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOTB:US:6

thanks for all of your input!

[chadfarmer]

should of went t5 o-well

[mikebon111]

My first lighting set up was a JBJ 4X65 that came with the 50/50 like yours. I had major algae an explosion,my tank was new so I am not sure if it was the blue lighting but a more experienced reefer advised me to change out my bulbs. I went with hello lights. two true actinic 03 and two 50/50 10k-03 so 75%25% combo. After changing the bulbs algae went into full retreat over night. My rock colored up really quick also tons of red , purple , pink coraline . Keep in mind that your bulbs are not actinic, big difference IMO.

[jimsta]

don't forget. You must specify that you want the true 03 actinic, or they will send you the 7100k bulbs which are just like arctic blue. Never ordered from them but i read the description and they say that you have to specify 7100 or Actinic. But like mikebon said the actinic might not be a true actinic.

[Don424]

Originally posted by mikebon111
My first lighting set up was a JBJ 4X65 that came with the 50/50 like yours. I had major algae an explosion,my tank was new so I am not sure if it was the blue lighting but a more experienced reefer advised me to change out my bulbs. I went with hello lights. two true actinic 03 and two 50/50 10k-03 so 75%25% combo. After changing the bulbs algae went into full retreat over night. My rock colored up really quick also tons of red , purple , pink coraline . Keep in mind that your bulbs are not actinic, big difference IMO.

mikebon111

For a 75 g FOWLR and a few softies, would your description above of 2/03 actinics and 2/50-50 10 k/03 be appropriate ? I have a JBJ PC also.

[mikebon111]

Don424


Yes . It worked really well for me. Like I said the coraline algae took off.