Question about a CFL??

[chull]

Just curious about my current light. I inherited a tank setup and the world of SW makes my eyeball twitch.

Currently it is a 75g rectangle with a Coralife Lunar Aqualight, double linear strip 4x65 w/ 4 LEDs. (2) 65w 10k and (2) Actinic. In the tank as it came are:

2x BTA
1 Maroon Clown
1 Brown Zoo (fairly large coloney)
1 Galexea
1 Star Polyp
1 Xmas Tree feather duster coloney, believe they are being hosted by some sort of brain coral but I'm still researching this one.
2x Tube Anenome

W/ approx. 65lbs of live rock, 20lbs of sand I have all the animals setup mid tank level out of fear this light isnt strong enough. I also have been supplementing with Kent's PhytoPlex as directed. Tank has been running for about 3 1/2 months now and havent lost a thing. Thanks for any help. Oh almost forgot the lighting is set for 11 hours a day.

[charlie]

Just curious about my current light. I inherited a tank setup and the world of SW makes my eyeball twitch.

Currently it is a 75g rectangle with a Coralife Lunar Aqualight, double linear strip 4x65 w/ 4 LEDs. (2) 65w 10k and (2) Actinic. In the tank as it came are:

2x BTA
1 Maroon Clown
1 Brown Zoo (fairly large coloney)
1 Galexea
1 Star Polyp
1 Xmas Tree feather duster coloney, believe they are being hosted by some sort of brain coral but I'm still researching this one.
2x Tube Anenome

W/ approx. 65lbs of live rock, 20lbs of sand I have all the animals setup mid tank level out of fear this light isnt strong enough. I also have been supplementing with Kent's PhytoPlex as directed. Tank has been running for about 3 1/2 months now and havent lost a thing. Thanks for any help. Oh almost forgot the lighting is set for 11 hours a day.

Hey there,


I guess if you haven't lost anything, the current lighting is OK. The only thing I might say is you could upgrade to a T5 system. It would run alot cooler, for one, and after they got acclimated to it, I think your critters would be OK also. Can you give a few more particulars on your tank, like maybe the dimensions? The depth of the tank is what I am most interested in.
A couple of pics wouldn't be bad either.

[chull]

Thanks for the reply. I actually intended to supply all that and realized I left my tape measure 757 miles north of where I am now.lol...I get that asap.

[charlie]

That's one hell of a long tape measure!!!!!

[Poseidon]

I agree with Charlie, if you go from PC to T5 you will get approximately 3X the lumens from about the same wattage.

[charlie]

Mike, what's happening to me, I actually suggested switching to a T5 fixture????????

I think I need to see a doctor

[chull]

Hope this helps

Just realized how I don't like the eye value of my tank.lol I'm open for any suggestions so I don't have to apply my amatuer photography in shame.lol

[charlie]

I am gonna guess that it is a normal 75, so it is probably about 20" deep. I think it looks pretty good the way it is. But as I noted and Poseidon stated, T5 lites are really a much better option.

Remember this is coming from Captain Halide,

If you get individual reflectors with the T5's, it will really increase your viewing pleasure, and I bet your critters will appreciate it too. They are also cheaper on the pocketbook in the long run.

[chull]

Well thanks everyone for taking the time! This hobby is intimidating to say the least. My only thing now is what's good in T5? I've looked extensivly around at diff makes and models and have no idea. Id also not like to spend a mortgage payment on it either.lol

[charlie]

From the 2nd pic, it looks as tho you may be able to rig yourself up a DIY fixture. I know about the costs involved, and yes, they are intimidating to start with, but if you look at the long run, and what you may save in power costs alone, the initial slap in the face may mellow a bit.

Take your time and do a little research on different setups. You can find a bunch of info on this site, and check our sponsors too. The idea is to do it right the first time, and remember, we are always around if you got questions or need a hand.

[Poseidon]

Charlie, I knew you would see the "light" eventually!

chull, I would go with no more then a 6 bulb fixture, TEK makes some good ones, just make sure you get the individual reflectors. As for bulb choice, Geismann, FaunaMarin, and ATI are all excellent choices. Right now I am running all Geismann bulbs myself, and I have a 90 gallon SPS reef, with a total of only 5 bulbs. (4 of them are overdriven on an IC 660, so they equal out to 6 regular.)

Do a search here on "T5", I'll bet you find enough reading to keep you busy for a while. ;)

[charlie]

Charlie, I knew you would see the "light" eventually!

chull, I would go with no more then a 6 bulb fixture, TEK makes some good ones, just make sure you get the individual reflectors. As for bulb choice, Geismann, FaunaMarin, and ATI are all excellent choices. Right now I am running all Geismann bulbs myself, and I have a 90 gallon SPS reef, with a total of only 5 bulbs. (4 of them are overdriven on an IC 660, so they equal out to 6 regular.)

Do a search here on "T5", I'll bet you find enough reading to keep you busy for a while. ;)

Chull, not to derail your thread, sorry.

Mike, I am thinking about a DIY 6 bulb fixture over my 80!!!!! You then know where the PFO 4' hood is going, don't you???????
I am pretty convinced, that with time, T5 lites are going to be even better than the new LED lights that have everyone drooling.

[Poseidon]

Chull, not to derail your thread, sorry.

Mike, I am thinking about a DIY 6 bulb fixture over my 80!!!!! You then know where the PFO 4' hood is going, don't you???????
I am pretty convinced, that with time, T5 lites are going to be even better than the new LED lights that have everyone drooling.

A frag tank?

You could do a 4 bulb overdriven DIY too Charlie, use a 660 and the individual reflectors. Just add a fan or 2 and you are all set!

[charlie]

Yeah, but I have the 4 3' daylites and the 2 4' actinics already. I was talking with Kevin yesterday, and he seemed to think it would work out. I was wondering how high off the water the lites should be?

[Poseidon]

My lights are about 2-3" off the surface, I never measured, just eyeballed it.

[charlie]

Thanx Mike.

I guess we should continue with our regularly scheduled programming here, huh????

Sorry again chull.

[chull]

Lol might aswell be speaking in binary up above there.