Doc
I don't work for anybody
Well, it is tax refund season, and that means a bit of extra cash to spend on the tank. I have questions about maybe getting new lights. I must admit that I know very little about lighting and all of the abbreviations are Greek to me. I currently have three coralife power compacts - one that is 48" and two that are 24". Each bulb is 65 watts, which gives me 8 bulbs, well 7 cuz a ballast is burnt out on one so only half the fixture works. lets see...455 watts on a 125 gallon tank. That is 3.64 watts per gallon - not quite enough for SPS or a gigas clam, huh?
Here are my questions. Should I purchase another 24" coralife to increase my wattage by 130 or sell the other lights online and try T-5's? Here is my dilemma - I know MH are the best deal for SPS corals. I have no canopy and I can't hang them from the ceiling - MH are out. My buddy has SPS corals in his 45 gallon with T-5 bulbs (are T-5 the same as VHO lights? - see I have little lighting knowledge). How many watts per gallon do I need to keep SPS corals? If T-5's are the way to go, do they make casings that safely rest on the tank? Do the have to be raised on those little legs? Finally, how much will it cost to get enough new light to make my tank look even better? Do T-5 fixtures have one or two plugs (or more) for the power outlet?
Are there other options? different bulbs? I have 10,000K white and 7100k blue. My goal is to make the fish more brilliant and the corals shine.
I apologize for the randomness of the post and desperately need feedback before I go the the LFS, they seem to be interested is selling me anything. Thanks ahead of time for your knowledgeable feedback.
-Dr Marco:sfish:
Here are my questions. Should I purchase another 24" coralife to increase my wattage by 130 or sell the other lights online and try T-5's? Here is my dilemma - I know MH are the best deal for SPS corals. I have no canopy and I can't hang them from the ceiling - MH are out. My buddy has SPS corals in his 45 gallon with T-5 bulbs (are T-5 the same as VHO lights? - see I have little lighting knowledge). How many watts per gallon do I need to keep SPS corals? If T-5's are the way to go, do they make casings that safely rest on the tank? Do the have to be raised on those little legs? Finally, how much will it cost to get enough new light to make my tank look even better? Do T-5 fixtures have one or two plugs (or more) for the power outlet?
Are there other options? different bulbs? I have 10,000K white and 7100k blue. My goal is to make the fish more brilliant and the corals shine.
I apologize for the randomness of the post and desperately need feedback before I go the the LFS, they seem to be interested is selling me anything. Thanks ahead of time for your knowledgeable feedback.
-Dr Marco:sfish: