Lighting Help

[alyxandria]

Hi, would like to go with corals that require medium to medium/high light.

I'm going to be using a 55G tank.

I'm not sure what type of lighting to look for or what wattage I need as the research I've done only lists "medium to medium/high light"

Can someone shed some light on the subject? (Heh) What type of lighting do you recommend?


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[Mattyfelts]

tao panels are popular. run about 80 bucks each i think.

 

[Mebbid]

tao panels are popular. run about 80 bucks each i think.

+1 2 of them would be sufficient for a 55g

 

[alyxandria]

Awesome thank you. I read somewhere that to keep zoas you need 3 to 4 watts per gallon is this accurate?


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[alyxandria]

And where do you order your tao panels from?


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[Mebbid]

Awesome thank you. I read somewhere that to keep zoas you need 3 to 4 watts per gallon is this accurate?


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Nope. Watts per gallon is a completely useless measurement. A 50g column tank is going to have vastly different lighting needs than a standard 55g for example.

 

[alyxandria]

Lol! I didn't even think of that. Seems like a silly question now haha.

This may be asking a lot but could you point me to a website or link that I could find a tao panel to order?

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[Mebbid]

EBay look up 120w dimmable led reef

 

[alyxandria]

Thank you!!


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[alyxandria]

Would the full spectrum one be best to show coral colours?


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[Mebbid]

Theres really no difference.

 

[alyxandria]

Ok, thanks


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[Jingleheimer]

EBay look up 120w dimmable led reef

Are these good for reef systems?

My tank is 36 inches wide. Would this work?

 

[Mebbid]

Are these good for reef systems?

My tank is 36 inches wide. Would this work?

one fixture will light up a 2 foot section of tank to grow any coral you want.

 

[mr_X]

Here's a pair-
2X Dimmable LED Aquarium Light 120W Coral Reef Tank White Blue Grow 55x3 Watt | eBay

 

[alyxandria]

Thanks! I'm going to go with this lighting.

How high should it be hung above the tank?

Do I affix it from the ceiling or can I get some sort of piece to hang it from?

And am I able to put a glass top on my tank or should I leave it open? Just concerned about my curious cats.


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[mr_X]

All of the above questions are basically up to you. I would hang the lights anywhere from 7-12 inches from the water. You can attach it to the ceiling, or use plant hangars or some other creative idea to hang it from the wall behind. You can put a glass top over the tank if you wish, but I always suggest against this, because it greatly limits the amount of gas exchange (fresh air hitting the water surface), and this may lead to low ph, among other things.

 

[alyxandria]

I've decided to do a 20G saltwater for right now as that is what is in the budget currently ? but I WILL upgrade in the future.

So, any other suggestions for lighting now? Or does it stay the same?

Also, do you think if I put an acryllic top and drilled holes all throughout it that it would allow for the gas to pass through? I have a very curious and mischievous cat.

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[alyxandria]

I found this and I think I am going to go with it. What do you think? Or should I stay with the dimming LEDs?










I really would like to go with what is best for my future corals but I do have a bit of a budget. The T5's are cheaper - but do they do the same job??


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[Sillyfishies]

The T5s won't be enough to grow some things. Also, the first time you replace bulbs, the LEDs will end up being cheaper