LS question.

[cmor1701d]

For the 55 you want 2 MH bulbs. A single MH will cover about a 2' x 2' area. So one just either side of the brace and you're good to go. Or, you could get a 6 bulb T5 unit.

 

[skratchiechan]

what would you guys use for a 60 gallon light going for a reef tank w/ that brace in the middle? thanks guys for all your input!


edit: also in thinking about getting some LR today (cloudiness is going away from the LS). Im on a budget right now so getting some BR w/ some uncured LR is a good choice?since there is no livestock in the tank atm?

 

[mr_X]

just like cmor said....2 x 250 watt halide fixture or an individually reflected 6 bulb t-5 ho fixture.
btw, what are the dimensions of the 60? 36"?

 

[skratchiechan]

dimensions is 48x15x17

will the 6 bulb t-5 HO be sufficient for corals and reefs...
i just dont want to be upgrading... id rather have everything that i need now.


edit: so im guessing i need this?

will that be enough light for corals?

 

[mr_X]

yes. just make sure it's an individually reflected fixture....not one large, flat reflector for all 6 bulbs. where are you located?

 

[skratchiechan]

san diego ca

so the one on the vid is one large reflector right?

 

[mr_X]

that's a 4 lamp fixture first of all. and yes, i think it's a single, flat reflector. it seems so because the bulbs are so close together. i can't be sure with that video though.
i would like to stress that you are better served to spend a few extra dollars and buy a well known brand name.

 

[mr_X]

look for "current nova extreme", or sunlight supply "tek" light. those are mid-range and affordable.

 

[skratchiechan]

cool thanks mr.x, youre so much help! and it is enough light for corals?

 

[cmor1701d]

Yes, either of the fixtures Doug pointed you too will be good for corals in your tank. You really need the 6 - 8 bulb T5HO with highly polished, individual, parabolic reflectors above each bulb to get the light output needed for sps coral and clams.

 

[skratchiechan]

thanks cmor! and mr.x!

 

[abdhalim2]

hye skratchiechan...
if u have more budget, why dont u get some refractometer to replace the swing arm hydrometer..???its more accurate then the hydrometer....

 

[skratchiechan]

so I've heard

 

[abdhalim2]

i dunno where u can get those in your country but i heard that u can find it from ebay....u will need a refractometer in future in case u need to do hyposalinity....

 

[skratchiechan]

my lfs has the 48 in aquaticlife fixture (4bulb w/ LEDs) for $330. I was wondering if this is good for corals? I know you guys are saying 6 to 8 bulbs but is this ok?

 

[mr_X]

it's ok if you don't mind limiting yourself.
your just going to have to be careful about what corals you choose.
it's not a bad price for the fixture, although i'm not sure about the quality of those. i've never owned one. they are a relatively new manufacturer.

 

[skratchiechan]

gotta another question. you need 1lbs of lr/ gallon... so is that actual gallon of the tank? or actual water volume?

 

[cmor1701d]

That's per tank empty volume. For a 60 gallon tank you want 60 - 120 pounds of rock. Pacific coral rock is very light and porous so 1 pound per gallon will give the same or more surface area as 2 pounds of dense Caribbean rock.

 

[skratchiechan]

I have 37 lbs of LR in there now and seems like there is no more room... how can I add more? build it up?

 

[mr_X]

here is a sand bed calculator-
Sand Bed Calculator


i see plenty of room in that tank.