Reef Lighting Help

[kpete4]

Alright, well I've done a fish only aggressive tank for a couple years and I want to get into the reef stuff. I have a 75 with live rock and some mushrooms at the moment but my biggest need is to upgrade the lighting. I have a really nice canopy that I'd like to try to keep so I was looking at the retrofit kits.

I have about $400 that I'd like to spend on lighting (I know I can't get anything amazing) but what should I get at least to start doing some beginner corals

t5's, compact fluorescents, VHO's????
Is there a specific brand that you guys prefer or doesn't it really matter?

I kind of feel like an idiot, but you got to learn some how
ANy comments would be appreciated

[mtfatwork]

Well, if you can find a retro to fit your budget, T5's are the way to go. I have VHO's over my 65 though, and I think they are great.

This is basically my setup (In your size)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ICK464

I keep everything except clams and acropora in this tank. I have several different montiporas in this tank that are thriving though.

[MNGold15]

I would go with metal halides. hellolights.com has a few cheaper retro kits.

[hardlife]

I have t5 over my 75 and i love them. i keep a little of everything even clam and some acro. go with the t5. I had vho they were nice but t5 look amazing.

[deathmatch782]

Go with either T5 that have individual reflectors or MH

[gtfourmn]

I would go with MH.

[kpete4]

If I was only going to do t-5's how many of them do I should I get????
They are only like 54w a piece I think????

What about this one, it combines the MH and the t-5's????? for a fairly low price. If this is good which MH bulbs should I get, I'd have to choose
http://www.hellolights.com/482xhqimeha21.html

I also had someone suggest putting 2 coralife compacts (260w each) Tell me what you think of this?????

[mtfatwork]

power compacts...:barf: :barf: :barf: . They have their place, but I would not intentionally run a "reef tank" with them again. There are just many better options out there.

[mtfatwork]

T5's par output is wayyy higher than vho, so even though it is less watts, it is more light. I would go with 4-6. Maybe a 6 bulb setup that you can just use 4 bulbs on for now, that way you have the extra if you think you need it? Just a thought.


As far as what MH bulbs, well the color temp is up to you, it depends on what is appealing to your eye. I like a nice crisp white, so I usually go with XM 20K. However, out of your options you have I would try any of these three:

XDE 20k
XDE 15K
Phoenix 14K.

Phoenix 14k maybe your best bet. I hear they have really good par output and they are not "too blue" nor are they "yellow"

[hypoxia]

I'm reading this thread with great interest and I am a little confused and need some clarification on a point. When you refer to T5, and you referring to straight T5 or high-output T5s? Or is that what VHO is (very high output)? Sorry I'm a dunce.

[mtfatwork]

We are referring to T5 HO. VHO's are actually T12 bulbs. Hope that clarifies it for you :)

[wes]

power compacts...:barf: :barf: :barf: . They have their place, but I would not intentionally run a "reef tank" with them again. There are just many better options out there.

at least you can find 'um cheap cause everyone upgrades! Till I can afford T5's, I'm using them. I can say I have a scrips staghorn that's doing fantastic, encrusted plenty and now is branching out quite a bit. it is about as close to the surface as it can be. if I lower my overflow, it'd probably breach the surface. I seem to have read somewhere that one of pc's big problems was crappy penetration. heh

[mtfatwork]

you just wanted to copy the barf smiley!!! LOL. I didnt say it couldn't be done, I just think that they are a waste of money when you are just gonna end up upgrading sooner or later anyway, you know?

[wes]

oh yes, I have to agree, but it's hard to complain when the sets I had cost me nada. one's for a FOWLR so no worries there, and the other one is over some dudes who seem to be okay with it, so long as they're inches from the surface.

yes, I like the barf smiley, though I think that's a bit of an oxy-moron. who smiles when they barf??