Need help picking out lighting

[paparchasa84]

Hello everyone I want to thank you for being so helpful. Now to my question I have a 46 gallon bowfront tank I'm not sure how long across but what kind of lighting should I get? I'm running a reef tank so I'm going to have rock, fish, corals etc. Which would be good to purchase i would like something with blue moonlights. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you

Posted via Mobile Device

[reefhead728]

Have you looked into t5 lighting?
check out bulkreefsupply.com, If you buy the fixture from them they will throw the bulbs in at cost.

[berkdog]

I like my lighting... AquaticLife T5HOs with moon LEDs. There's a build in fan and it's quiet... at least quieter than my protein skimmer. I searched around to find the best price for me at the time, which was at thatpetplace.com (they had some 15% off sale, which made up for the shipping, etc). Let us know what you decide

[returnofsid]

For over 3 years, I had the same tank set up, with a 2X96 watt PC fixture. I had soft corals, LPS and a Rose Bubble Anemone. I was also able to grow Montipora SPS corals. However, I wouldn't recommend this fixture. It worked for me, and was inexpensive, when I purchased it used. NOW, if I were setting up the same tank, I'd go with T5HO and nothing else. I'd get either the 36" Tek5, 4 bulb fixture, by Sunlight Supply, OR the 36" ATI SunPower or PowerModule. After checking at LFS, I'd buy from them, IF they were within reasonable price, compared to Reefgeek. I'd even be willing to spend a lil' extra with LFS. Otherwise, if way over Reefgeek, I'd order from Greg, here ReefGeek > Lighting > T5 Fluorescent

There is a 36" 2X250MH fixture, that I might consider, but probably not. The T5HO fixtures mentioned above, will allow you to grow anything you want in that sized tank.

[Bill The Cat]

Anybody know what the wattage-to-gallon ratio should be when using PC fluorescents? I know 3w to 5w per gallon is what's recommended for regular fluorescents. On the other hand, Fenner's C.M.A. book suggests it's much less for PC's. Trouble is, he doesn't go on to say what the rule of thumb should be for PC's, and I haven't been able to find anything conclusive on the subject.

Any thoughts?

[charlie]

As far as I am concerned, watts per gallon is outdated and pretty much useless!!!!! What you NEED to look at is the penetration you get from whatever lights you have, and right now, PC's are basically on the bottom of the totem pole. JMHO

[Breathe13stars]

I have the nova extreme pro T5 HO 48'' 6x54w they also make it in a 36'' it works great I've been able to keep anything under the sun so far with no problems and there is hardly any heat compared to MH.

[charlie]

I have the nova extreme pro T5 HO 48'' 6x54w they also make it in a 36'' it works great I've been able to keep anything under the sun so far with no problems and there is hardly any heat compared to MH.

I just ordered that same fixture for my 36" frag tank, only the 4x39W though. I had the 48 inch one over my 80, and things were real good!!!! Thanx for the input!!!!

[Breathe13stars]

I just ordered that same fixture for my 36" frag tank, only the 4x39W though. I had the 48 inch one over my 80, and things were real good!!!! Thanx for the input!!!!

BTW great looking tanks charlie

[charlie]

BTW great looking tanks charlie