Lights- Beginner question?

TylerMoore · #1 05/20/2007, 08:33 PM

Hi, i'm farely new to this forum. I am 19 years old, and growing up I used to always help my dad with his saltwater aquarium, but I just set up my own 55 gallon tank last week since I finally have a place of my own. I so far have about 11 pounds of live rock in my tank (it's all i could afford thus far), and 3 hermit crabs for something to watch (and to clean up) while my tank cycles.

I have 3 40 watt florescent lights that span my entire tank. I have been looking around at other people's lights on these forums, and am starting to wonder if these are adequate. My dad used to use these for his saltwater tank back in the 70s, but i was wondering if they would be enough now?

I'm hoping to have quite a bit of coral in this tank once i get it up and running. Will this light be sufficient?

Thanks a lot, everyone on this forum seems so helpful!

-Tyler

cilyjr · #2 05/20/2007, 08:55 PM

not for most corals. there is much debating about lighting on which is better here is a real brief overview and an older thread to read. also check out the lighting forum ( http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...s=&forumid=212 )
t-5 - is a higher output floucent. it is cheaper and it will allow for most corals to grow
MH or metal halide- is more expensive but even the most delicate corals and clams.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=550860

shag26272 · #3 05/20/2007, 09:17 PM

on another note, what I did was use 10lbs of live rock and the rest base rock, it will save you alot of money

http://marcorocks.com/

demonsp · #4 05/20/2007, 09:30 PM

Ide add some more rock LR or base. You can add base to make up some differance. And slow down mb. Need good test kit. And i alway say get the best light you can afford. PC get softies and mb a LPS or 2 . T-5 softies happier and more LPS but MH is great on all including SPS.

TylerMoore · #5 05/20/2007, 09:32 PM

thanks a lot!

So can I use T5 bulbs in a regular florescent light? Can I put metal halide bulbs in a florescent light? have 2 4' long lamps. 1 holds 2 bulbs the other holds one.

what temperature in kelvin is best for most fish and corals? Is there a general watt/gallon ratio for setting up corals in an aquarium?

Thanks a lot

shag26272 · #6 05/20/2007, 09:33 PM

no ,you need different ballasts

shag26272 · #7 05/20/2007, 09:37 PM

heres a fixture that is fairly cheap, it would work well for your tank, you couldnt keep any SPS corals but most anything else

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=Current-T5

TylerMoore · #8 05/20/2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by demonsp
Ide add some more rock LR or base. You can add base to make up some differance. And slow down mb. Need good test kit. And i alway say get the best light you can afford. PC get softies and mb a LPS or 2 . T-5 softies happier and more LPS but MH is great on all including SPS.

"And slow down mb"... what does that mean? sorry, i'm new to the board lingo.

what does "PC" stand for? I understand all the "LPS" talk, and "MH".

And I do have a good test kid, my levels have all been good and steady since i set the tank up.

Thanks a lot.

TheCureForSin · #9 05/20/2007, 09:40 PM

If you don't want to spend big bucks, I'd just look at a compact flourescent. Some people might complain about them, but for how much they are and what kind of wattage they put out, why not?

shag26272 · #10 05/20/2007, 09:42 PM

Power compact, its a type of flourescent lighting

demonsp · #11 05/20/2007, 09:43 PM

Says you setup tank last week then if you get a big cycle all could die. Tank needs to cycle and a test kit lets you know the progress. Start with good ro/di water never tap. Add LR as much as possible figured out in the preplaning. And substrate unless FOWLR. Then let cycle a few weeks then think about cleanup crew. Keep checking water and whene alls level then start with stock a few at a week as not to put to much shock on system. Then lighting , flow , skimming. Then ect.. ect.. .

TylerMoore · #12 05/20/2007, 10:38 PM

thanks. yah, i have it planned out just like that, i'm letting everything cycle for a while before i put anything in it.

thanks for the help, i wasn't sure about the lights with all the lingo you guys use

Ricepicker · #13 05/20/2007, 11:01 PM

stay away from PC... wattage doesn't mean dick, they're very inefficient IMO and cost lots to replace...

light lingo:

T5HO - T5 high output fluorescent
MH - Metal Halide
HQI - Hydrargyrum quartz iodide, a form of metal halide
FL - Fluorescent
NO - Normal output
VHO - Very High output
PC - Compact fluorescent

general lingo:

LFS - Local fish store
LPS - Large Polyp Stony coral
Zoos - Zoanthids
SPS - Small Polyp stony coral
fuge - refugium
n00b - you, lol

keep asking questions, its how we all learn.

i would go with a nice T5 setup, it'll cost ya, but its worth it.

eaj43081 · #14 05/20/2007, 11:31 PM

You might want to keep an eye open in the sale forums. Thats how I got my light system. (well my second light system, upgaded from pc's).

loosecannon · #15 05/21/2007, 12:06 AM

hi and wellcome,here,s a sight you can pic up a light ceep! aqutraders.com. i have pc on a 44 gal. tank a 30, and a75. but i am saving up for a t5 6 54/w from reefgeeks.com . ps if you go with the t5s a must is each bulb needs its oune reflactor!!!!! buy the way what kind a proteen scimer do you have , thay are a must! oh i all most for got i have . ever thing in all 3 tanks but sps!

nick18tjetta · #16 05/21/2007, 12:27 AM

For a 55, I would definatly go with that T5 fixture from Premium aquatics.