Burnt out Bulb

[Deathsmile]

So this morning when i turned my lights on, sure enough, one of my 50/50 lights isnt working. well, its lit up a tad, but not even close to working, so now i have to pick something new up.

Im running PC lights, and dont have the money to upgrade (Actually about to go spend $100 on drug/background check)

What brand/strength or type of 50/50 bulbs should i get?

[Parrothead]

Hey Deathy, hate to be the one to break this to you, but those pc lights ain't cheap, most of the stores here in jax start at about 60.00 and up for a 96 watt daylight, actinics will run alittle more. Thats one of the reasons I'm going T-5 after the holidays.

Sorry.

Tanks,
Robert

[Parrothead]

Hey Deathy, hate to be the one to break this to you, but those pc lights ain't cheap, most of the stores here in jax start at about 60.00 and up for a 96 watt daylight, actinics will run alittle more. Thats one of the reasons I'm going T-5 after the holidays.

Sorry.

Tanks,
Robert

[Deathsmile]

Damnnn :\

I want to go to T5' but i deff. dont have the money for that right now :\

but i found a skimmer so thats at least 1 step in the right direction

[Deathsmile]

SO im the new Proud owner of a Aquasun T5 HO 48' lighting systems

[malinois1]

SO im the new Proud owner of a Aquasun T5 HO 48' lighting systems

Nice!! Congrats...how much did it set you back?

[Deathsmile]

Its 145 with the bulbs and everything

[SpokaneReef]

Nice that is a pretty good deal. I know the bulbs are at least $20.00 each. How many does your fixture hold?

[Deathsmile]

Im getting a Sunlight Supply Tek Lighting system. Its a 6 bulb fixture. Was going to get the 8 bulb fixture but it was wider then my whole tank. Woulda been hanging over by an inch on one side or the other.

This should be more then enough light for LPS and SPS corals and such. But now i need to get my water and everything in check first.

[SpokaneReef]

I had one of those over my 90 gallon and I loved it.

There was nothing I could not keep in that tank, including clams.

[Deathsmile]

I really liked the look of the clams but you have to feed them with the little ****s and thats a lot to do for everything i want >_>

[SpokaneReef]

I do not feed them anything, just make sure you give them plenty of light.

[Deathsmile]

My LFS told me that they eat Phytoplankton, and id have to make sure theres enough around for them to feed. Id love to have some though because theyre gorgeous and they are stationary, so i dont have to worry about them climbing out of sight behind some rocks and such

[SpokaneReef]

Yes they do eat Phytoplankton but with the right amount of light and if the clam is 3" or bigger they will produce enough of their own food. They also require calcium.

If you want one then read up on them and see what you discover. I have three of them T. Derasa, T. Crocea and a T. Maxima. I had them all under the tek fixture 6 bulb without issue. The T. Maxima was small when I got it so I placed it on the rocks near the light until it go bigger.

[Deathsmile]

yeah, ive gotta do a lot of research on thing, but im focusing on getting all my **** together like water, and skimmer, lighting, and all the good stuff.

[Parrothead]

Just curious here as I intend on keeping 2 or 3 clams a couple of months down the road, but if Phytoplankton is a plant, how can an animal produce a plant for a food source, Phytoplankton sounds like something that would need to be added to the water column in order for the clam to eat it.

Tanks,
Robert

[Deathsmile]

What do you mean by an animal producing a plant for a food source? you buy them from your LFS and add them in, i must of missed something.

Words for thought:

Phytoplankton are made up of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Yes they are a plant like seaweed and such, but they make up the base of the food chain for animals (such as whales)

Actually, 90% of marine plants are Phytoplanton. Your clam will filter these out of the water and absorb nutrients out of them. You can put them in your whole tank, but if you overfeed then youll have an algae growth rampage, or you can bowl feed them.

Yeah your clams can live on just high quality lights if they are bigger, but feeding them will also help bring out more color from them.

[SpokaneReef]

Phytoplankton is pretty cheap and with bigger clams you do not need to add as often. I normally put a capful in every few days but I have been out for over a month now. I have no issues and the T. Derasa looks like it has grown again. He is about 5 to 6 inches now. I got him at 2.5 less than a year ago.

[Deathsmile]

My Lights are up, hanging, and shining bright in my tank. Everything is poping with light. Now a few 20% water changes (to a total of 80%) and my tank should be ready for something (corals or even snails) now that my lights are legit

Thanks for the help everyone ;]

[Steve McKay]

How long has your tank been setup and running.