[Annette]

I inherited a small tank, 15gal, from my sister with the following 18" light-
Aquatic products

It is flickering and going south, so I went to get another light and the pet store recommended CORAL SUN details-
Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc. - Aquatic Products

My tank looks totally different with blue light, but I also felt as if my plate coral wasn't so happy before. I have one aggressive clown, snails, two crabs, 3 fan worms, live rock, and my plate coral. I would like to add one more "tallish" invert some day, but I know I am pushing the limits of my size tank. I do water changes once a week add Calcium and Iodine(very little).

My question is, why not a REEF SUN light that has more broad spectrum, but still has the actinic in it? I am not sure why the pet store recommended what they did, but I can't see the pretty purples of my live rock or plate, my clown is muted in this soooo blue light but if it is what I really should have. I would like to do what is best. How can I tell what spectrum is appropriate for a single bulb system?

thank you for the opinions as I am learning with my little tank.

[Reefland]

I think you would be better off with a full spectrum bulb in the 10,000k range. The Ocean Sun bulb looks to me to be the best choice.

[charlie]

I happen to agree with Scott. A 10k bulb will probably provide everybody with the lite they need.

[Ninong]

I think maybe the reason he recommended the actinic lamp is because he thinks you might like the appearance of the tank better with that lamp. It's really a personal preference thing in your particular situation because there is no way that you can keep any photosynthetic corals alive with a total of 15 watts of lighting no matter what the spectrum.

If you would like to keep some low-light corals, I suggest you get more intense lighting -- a couple of power compacts would be adequate for some mushrooms, etc., but probably not a plate coral.