Lighting Question

[Peterock]

I have a question on lighting as well I have a 45 tall with 2-96 watt retro fit P/C I have 4.26 watts right now I want to eventually get around 8.5watts total should I add another retro kit or is there something other that i can add since the retro kits will only cost me $175. Also I heard somewhere that there is a red light that you can add to your tank kinda like the attinic blue but it is red is there something out there. I am trying to grow pink coraline algae I have purple now but would like to get some other colors growing if I can.

[Reefland]

Hi Pete,

I placed your post in it's own thread here, it'll be easier to address.

First of all, the old Watts Per Gallon Rule should be thrown out as it has no value at all. Consider this, 10-40w normal output flourescent tubes are placed over a tank equalling 400w. 1 400w metal halide is placed over an identical tank equaling 400w. Readings from these tanks will be much different, to the tune that the tank with the MH will have more useful light at the bottom than the tank with 10-40w tubes will have at the surface. I hope that helps you see the uselessness of the WPG rule.

There are red LED lights available and this could easily be a DIY project however note that there will be no imapct on the tank, it's only going to give you visual asthetics for night time viewing. This color light is not going to impact the coralline algae at all. Increased lighting overall may but it's doubtful too.

There are many different species of coralline algae and that varies depending on the conditions they prefer and the conditions you provide. It's pretty much hit or miss, no one is culturing different types or colors of coralline algae as everyone settles for what they get with their rock.

[Peterock]

Thanks for the info I thought that there was a way to grow specific algae my nest door neighbor has a 220 and has pinks, greens, and purples in his tank. He has 6 light and only two are 10k, 3 attinics, 1 50/50

He is old and crusty and he told me about the WPG stuff also...

[Reefland]

You very well may get different colors from different light conditions, you may very well just shift the color from what you see right now.