Lighting newbie...what replacement bulbs?

[Kay283]

Ok so im still trying to get my head around lighting. I kinda get the basics but im still unsure.
We currently have a aquaone 3 bulb t5 model on brackets above our tank. Tank is around 200L. This all came with the tank so i dont know what bulbs are currently in but they are 39W each and just show up as white.

We only have live rock and 2 fish in there at the moment along with snails and 2 hermits. I would like some soft corals eventually like mushrooms and of course need some decent lighting.
We cannot switch seperate lights on as there is only one switch so the combination of lights would be for the day. I was thinking 2 whites and 1 blue. Ive read so much about powerglos and different whites and its all confused me a bit so could someone give me a really basic but effective light combination i can use.

Thanks
Kay.

[charlie]

Ok so im still trying to get my head around lighting. I kinda get the basics but im still unsure.
We currently have a aquaone 3 bulb t5 model on brackets above our tank. Tank is around 200L. This all came with the tank so i dont know what bulbs are currently in but they are 39W each and just show up as white.

We only have live rock and 2 fish in there at the moment along with snails and 2 hermits. I would like some soft corals eventually like mushrooms and of course need some decent lighting.
We cannot switch seperate lights on as there is only one switch so the combination of lights would be for the day. I was thinking 2 whites and 1 blue. Ive read so much about powerglos and different whites and its all confused me a bit so could someone give me a really basic but effective light combination i can use.

Thanks
Kay.

First off Kay:


In US gallons it is close to 52 gallons, if my conversion chart is correct. Your suggestion of 2 whites and 1 blue will work for what you want to do, IMO. If all you want is softies and mushrooms, I think you'll be alright. Run them 10-12 hours and everything is good. Do some research on here about lighting requirements for the corals you want, there is plenty of info here on T5 lites, and the light requirements of soft corals.
I would go with something close to 10K for the whites, and the actinic plus for the blue. HTH

[charlie]

Check out our sponsors on your bulb selection.
For instance:
Marinedepot.com Search results for 't5 bulbs'

[Ninong]

Check out our sponsors on your bulb selection.
For instance:
Marinedepot.com Search results for 't5 bulbs'

Charlie,

Yorkshire is in England.

[charlie]

Charlie,

Yorkshire is in England.

UHHHH, thanx for the update. Does that mean they can't get ideas about bulb replacement???

[Ninong]

UHHHH, thanx for the update. Does that mean they can't get ideas about bulb replacement???

I think it just means they probably won't order from our sponsors.

[Kay283]

Lol yes i failed to mention i was in England. However your advice was great and im sure i can locate a few sites to order from over here.

Thanks for replying
Emma.

[charlie]

Glad we could help.