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02-16-2005, 05:05 PM
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#1
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 301
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how long can i wait to pruchase lights?
I just set up my tank and am saving to buy my lights. i was wondering how long i could wait to use lights. im gonna buy live rock on friday to cycle my tank out then buy a MH and VHO retro next friday. could i do this or no?
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02-16-2005, 05:30 PM
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#2
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 438
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There is no need to buy the MH and VHO lights until you start stocking your tank with corals. Having them over your tank during cycling will help in corraline growth, but is not required. Until you want to add corals, you would be fine with NO lights.
tripper
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02-17-2005, 01:49 AM
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#3
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Aquarium Advice Activist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 131
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I agree i've even heard that the lights are there mostly for us 2 see the fish and thats all, unless u got corals.
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100gallon
6 Green Chromis
1 Blue Damsel
1 Domino
1 lawnmower Blenny
1 YellowFish?????
3 Serpent Seastars
1 Pepermint Shrimp
1 Camel Shrimp
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
1 Huge Snail
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02-17-2005, 09:23 AM
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#4
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AA Team Emeritus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,256
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Using the standard light fixtures that come with most tanks will be fine for what you describe.
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02-17-2005, 10:35 AM
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#5
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Aquarium Advice FINatic
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 562
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Agreed, no need for lights on tank while cycling. I didnt run a light on my tank the entire 6 weeks and had no algae at all when completed,
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150 rr Oceanic, 300 pound lr,250 pounds ls, lps's, polyp's,soft corals, sps's,
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02-17-2005, 03:29 PM
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#6
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 301
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cool i was just gonna go with 4x 96w but i figured i would like to keep clams and corals so if im gonna spend that much i might as well save for MH's too.
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02-17-2005, 05:54 PM
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#7
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Aquarium Advice FINatic
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 562
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Good Choice
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150 rr Oceanic, 300 pound lr,250 pounds ls, lps's, polyp's,soft corals, sps's,
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02-17-2005, 06:49 PM
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#8
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Thomasville, Georgia
Posts: 347
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What type of halides were you thinking of getting?
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Tank: 55 Gallon
The equipment: Coralife 4x65w (2x10k; 2xActinic), Emperor 400, 2 PH
The Fish: black maroon clown, neon goby, yellow watchman goby, 3 blue-green chromis, royal gramma, and a yellow clown goby.
The Coral: zoos, kenya trees, shrooms, leathers, hammer, and star polyps
The Inverts: LT anemone, pistol shrimp, urchins, etc.
The Janitors: nassarius snails, turbos, hermits, several brittle and serpent stars
The Rock: 68# of Keys-12# Base Rock; from LR.com
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02-18-2005, 07:06 AM
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#9
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 301
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dont know yet... any suggestions or advice on what to get. i have a 75 gal tank
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02-19-2005, 04:10 AM
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#10
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 471
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I agree, buy mh now...you will want them later and spend more money working to get there. I am no expert, but I would estimate that 2 x 175w mh would work well on there. Maybe even 1 175w and 1 250w for the side with the clams? They cost pretty much the same. An actinic pc or vho would be the finishing touch for dawn / dusk effect. Do you want retrofit kits (mount to under your canopy) or a complete hood?
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hey half the fun is dreaming it up!
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02-19-2005, 04:35 AM
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#11
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: windsor, ontario, canada
Posts: 46
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i wouldn't count out t-5 lighting. check it out, mine will be here on tuesday hopefully. people have had great success w/o having to go mh. only thing i will miss is the shimmer!.
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02-19-2005, 05:11 AM
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#12
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 301
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yea im gonna build my own canopy which leads me to my next question. How high should i have my lights over my aquarium?
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02-19-2005, 04:04 PM
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#13
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Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 471
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about 6-8" is ideal...here is some general information:
http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/order..._lighting.html
Also remember when building your canopy, these fixtures put the bulb about 4" below the mounting point, IE below the canopy. Here's a fixture:
http://www.captivereefs.com/captiver...D=lt&SubCatID=Lt%2Dmhr&ItemID=LT-CV250RK
A kit with electronic ballasts like that would be best (longer bulb life, use less power). We get a 6% discount from that vender also.
HTH
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hey half the fun is dreaming it up!
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