HELP - PLEASE!

[nucleuscracker]

The bulb on my power compact for my 35 gallon burned out - its only a year old. When I was new to reefing and foolish the guy sold it to me as a 200 watt set up...

So I now need a replacement - is 96 watts enough for a reef tank that currently is

35 gallon hex
2 clowns
various mushroom corals - mainly red...
70 lbs of fiji rock with coralline.....


...........?

Thanks a bunch!

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where is the cat at....?

[Ltspd]

For what you have now yes it seems to be fine or you would be having a problem. If you wanted to begin to start adding corals (other than shrooms) then you need to increase the light IMO. Do you have just 1 96w bulb over a 35g hex?

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Paul C
Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.
Einstein

[nucleuscracker]

I currently er did have a "200watt" light over the tank (1 bulb) - at least that was what the LFS sold me a year ago - there are no markings on the bulb to tell me what the exact wattage is...

S, Ltspd, your saying that for now I would be fine with one 96 watt compact bulb but if I want to add other corals like open brains etc, I am going to need more light...

What would you do--- With the tank being a hexagon (last one I will ever own) - I need enough light to reach the bottom....

T.I.A........[img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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where is the cat at....?

[Ninong]

How can you fit a 96w PC fluorescent lamp over a 36-gal hex tank? Your tank isn't three feet across, is it?

What you really need here is a single metal halide pendant. My choice would be a single 150w 10,000K HQI mini pendant (or you could go with 250w).

Later,

Ninong [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[nucleuscracker]

Ninong...

The light that came with the tank last year is a little over 2 feet long - the bulb it self is only 21 1/8" long - from one end to the other end including the japanese style pins.....

I was one of those newbie aquarists that took the advice of the LFS and bought what he said I would need. (he had known my boss ever since he had been born...so.....). Little did I know at the time that he was just there to make a buck or 2 (not save me a buck or 2..) He had told me the setup was a 200 watt setup and that it was good enough for a reef tank - at least for me having the hex tank.

But after looking at http://www.marinedepot.com/ under power compact bulbs, I see that even the 55 watt may be to big for the my light fixture...... ARGH!

What my hopes for the hex tank are to not spend a lot of $$$ on it, saving the money for my 90 gallon to upgrade the lighting when I have saved for it... and making the hex my quarantine tank...


I had no idea the bulb would only last me 1 year - i was thinking that they last about 2 years (lack of knowledge.....[img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img]). Otherwise I would have taken care of it sooner...lol

Where is the best place to find the system you are recommending...?

thanks ninong - I hope all is well......

Thanks again for your advice ninong - and when your done reading this - get to your garage and set that tank up..[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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where is the cat at....?

[nucleuscracker]

/
[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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where is the cat at....?

[This message has been edited by nucleuscracker (edited 04-19-2001).]

[Ninong]

OK, here ya go, first class all the way: http://www.petwarehouse.com/webstore...E?OpenDocument

That's the Giesemann Nova II fixture. It is only 12" long, and only $249.00, plus $80.00 for the 150w 10,000K HQI double-ended lamp. This is all you really need for a 36-gal hex tank. Any small actinic fluorescent for dawn/dusk effect is strictly up to you but not necessary. You will like the color of the 150w HQI double-ended lamp and it is a lot more powerful than any of the 175w mogul base metal halide lamps. It also lasts about 18 months.

Ninong

P.S. - Here's the direct link to the bulb: http://www.petwarehouse.com/webstore...E?OpenDocument

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Irrational Exuberance!

[nucleuscracker]

Thanks Ninong - I'm not sure what I am going to do - money is tight - wife and i had a cruise in the first part of march then in may we are off to hawaii on a business trip for a week. (what a ruff job i have)

I'll let ya know what I end up doing. As always, your advice is well respected and appreciated!


[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

brian aka nuc

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where is the cat at....?

[nucleuscracker]

Well I decided to make the smaller tank a quarantine tank - So i just ordered a 6700K 65 watt PC. This way I can save quicker to get a light upgrade for my 90....

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Local Fish Store = Aquarists Toy Store...

[naser]

i still dont see how that bulb is 200watts? i have 55 watt pc's and there the same length!

[nucleuscracker]

would you believe the LFS man lied to me way back then... I have yet to return there for any of my purchases - when I told my old boss how his dad's friend ****ed me over and didn't give me a "deal", he was shocked actually.

I must have had a 65 watt or the like on the tank before. The new bulb is slighly wider then the old bulb but everything seems to be growing great with the new bulb.....


[img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Local Fish Store = Aquarists Toy Store...

[Mobious]

Hey nucleuscracker , If money is tight you could try the LOA 9266 (65watt) over your tank until you can buy some new lights. Each of these guys are only $30 at HD. For your tank I would get 2 of them..