Hey guys I have a question. I'm gettin my Taos next week. When I put them under my corals, what percent should I start dimming then at for acclimation? And when should I start bringing the percent up? Also, I'm going to be adding a glass or plastic cover over the 40 breeder. Once the corals are all acclimated what percent should be kept best? Will the cover affect the light penetration? Should the percent be a little higher than if there were no cover?
Lighting your reef... Best bang for your buck.
- Thread starter Jess1ca
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Gregcoyote
Aquarium Advice Addict
I don't have any dimmable fixtures. But I think I heard 50% first week then increase it a bit. I hang mine about twice as high as I want them to end up, then lower them slowly over a month.
I prefer clear mesh covers as they allow proper gas exchange and block almost zero light.
I prefer clear mesh covers as they allow proper gas exchange and block almost zero light.
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
what do you have over the tank now? What are you replacing? that should give you some idea of how much you should turn them up.
I'm just setting the breeder up now. Cycling and stuff. With the cover on idk how much light will be depleted because of the cover. Should I make the percentage a little higher than normal? Or will the cover do really little at all at not allowing light into tank?
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
I wouldn't worry too much about the cover. Start it low and ramp it up as needed.
Gregcoyote
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes, those fixtures have plenty of power and if you keep the top clean, shouldn't be an issue.
JesseMessykinn
Aquarium Advice Freak
50% Seems like a little strong from the start, Ive have mine at say around 50/30 and I had em at around 60/50 put started to notice my toadstool leather starting to turn little white
NicoleIsStoked
Aquarium Advice Freak
I'm going to jump in hear with a few quick questions of that's okay.
In another thread someone referred me to aquatraders.com because I'm looking for lights for what will be my first attempt at keeping corals. The tank will be a 20g high nano reef and I was eyeing the Odessa 24" Quad T5 fixture which will run me around $100 after shipping. But now I've read a tiny bit of this thread and am thinking I may get a better bang for my buck by going with taotronics LEDs.
Would someone be able to a post a link for me of what type of taotronics I would need for my tank?
Thanks.
In another thread someone referred me to aquatraders.com because I'm looking for lights for what will be my first attempt at keeping corals. The tank will be a 20g high nano reef and I was eyeing the Odessa 24" Quad T5 fixture which will run me around $100 after shipping. But now I've read a tiny bit of this thread and am thinking I may get a better bang for my buck by going with taotronics LEDs.
Would someone be able to a post a link for me of what type of taotronics I would need for my tank?
Thanks.
Daniel Fishy
Aquarium Advice Addict
120 watt dimmable taotronics or 120 watt reef breeders. Just google and a lot is sites will pop up for the Taos with difference prices but all similar. Reef breeders. com will have there own site. One will be plenty for anything you want and no bulb replacement.
NicoleIsStoked
Aquarium Advice Freak
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0058RXPOS
Is this the right one? Is this going to be too strong for a 20g tank? And how would I mount it?
Is this the right one? Is this going to be too strong for a 20g tank? And how would I mount it?
dmolavi
Aquarium Advice Addict
TaoTronics TT-AL01 White Aquarium Coral Reef Tank LED Grow Light (120W Output, Blue/White Ratio- 25:30; Two-Year Warranty):Amazon
Is this the right one? Is this going to be too strong for a 20g tank? And how would I mount it?
That isn't dimmable and will probably fry your tank. Amazon.com: TaoTronics TT-AL09 Dimmable Aquarium Coral Reef LED Grow Light (120W Output, Blue/White Ratio- 28:27; Two-Year Warranty): Pet Supplies is what you want, but you can probably find it for less than $180.
NicoleIsStoked
Aquarium Advice Freak
Great thanks. Pardon my ignorance, but what is the point of the blue lights?
And if 120w it too strong and I would need to dim it, shouldn't I just be looking at a less intense light overall? Does this mount to the tank or would I need to hang it overhead?
And if 120w it too strong and I would need to dim it, shouldn't I just be looking at a less intense light overall? Does this mount to the tank or would I need to hang it overhead?
Gregcoyote
Aquarium Advice Addict
There's a thread in the hardware forum where blue light is discussed. "Actinic led" and 120 watts is too strong for a 20, you would have to dim it a lot. A 60 or 90 watt would be plenty.
NicoleIsStoked
Aquarium Advice Freak
And does taotronics make a 60 or 90w version? Im having trouble finding their products online and can only seem to find the 120w ones.
Daniel Fishy
Aquarium Advice Addict
Idk if they make a low model. There are lower ones out there I just don't know of any. Dimmable for sure,you would have to dim them down but if you plan on upgrading you would have a light.
If your interested in the Taos, this is the best one. Has 5 more blues than whites and has 120 degree optic (no optics). This is probably the cheapest one I've found. I bought this and will be getting it this Thursday.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=380673447341
Can some people give me some ideas on how to hang this? I know it comes with a hanging kit, but I don't want to puncture my ceiling. Is there something I could make out of wood to hang it? How would I adjust the height with the hanging chains?
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=380673447341
Can some people give me some ideas on how to hang this? I know it comes with a hanging kit, but I don't want to puncture my ceiling. Is there something I could make out of wood to hang it? How would I adjust the height with the hanging chains?
Gregcoyote
Aquarium Advice Addict
When I imported them, we had a 60w and 90w round fixtures. They were not dimmable though. The best bet for you is to buy a 120w fixture that is dimmable. That is where the best pricing seems to be. I can not find any of the fixtures I use to sell on the web. Maybe I need to start getting them again. And yes, you could make a stand to hang them from.
Attachments
Last edited:
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
You could attach something to the back of your stand or the wall and have it come up and over. Even a plant hangar might do the trick.
As for adjusting the height, you don't need to. Once you have it at the desired height, you'll never move it again, you will adjust intensity with the knobs.
Here are two slapped together in 5 minute examples....It's my fish room so I don't care if it's pretty...but you'll get the idea..
Raleighfishnerd
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2012
- Messages
- 745
I ended up using a bird feeder hanger to hang my tao's
