Next Question -Lighting.

[shamanofsexy]

Im thinking for this tank with it being my 1st ever marine im going to keep the corals simple and go for the easiest options and sticking with mushroom corals but getting different colours and placing at different levels along the floor and rock.

So for mushroom corals what is the best lighting to get.

My 60 gallon tank has a distance of 50cm (20 inches) from lighting to tank bed.

 

[skriz]

Power compacts are just fine for mushrooms.

 

[brianjfinn]

Just keep in mind that you may want to advance later in the hobby. I made the mistake of assuming I would stick to softies when I first entered the hobby, and I ended up spending way more on lighting than I ever should have. I completely understand staying on a budget, but in the long run, you may want to consider buying more light than you think you need.

 

[shamanofsexy]

Arcadia Marine Blue Actinic 39w 34" T5 if i get two of those will that be enough??

The tank currently has the top fixed in and it only holds two bulbs. Is it possible to run off two or am i going to need to change the hood??

 

[coolsurf]

T5's will give you more options and better lighting decisions. You'll be able to support softies and LPS. SPS would be questionable depending on placement.

 

[mopar9012]

shamanofsexy;444154 wrote: Arcadia Marine Blue Actinic 39w 34" T5 if i get two of those will that be enough??

The tank currently has the top fixed in and it only holds two bulbs. Is it possible to run off two or am i going to need to change the hood??

Im not sure exactly what type of lighting, but if its anything like the stock lighting that comes with pretty much all the tanks besides the huge ones, youre going to have to lose the top.

I am not a big fan on power compacts. I found that even with softies I had trouble with growth. My zoas grew up instead on expanding and apparently they grow up for more light.


T5 and MH is the way I would go. I think you will also like the way your tank just looks a lot more with T5 or MH. Keep in mind they make some cheap MH retro kits. However you would need something to house that in or hang in.

 

[hayabusa72]

I'd go with t-5 on that size tank .Because if the reef bug gets you .You'll be upgrading to bigger tank soon anyway and you get MH for it.lol

 

[oil_fan]

I had power compacts on my 65 gallon (a bit over 200 watts) and was able to keep different types of coral. I have since switched to T5's due a failure of my light fixture. The fact is that T5's are more efficient than PC's. I'm now running about 150 watts of T5's.

T5's are a bit more than PC but can cost twice as much. It's still worth the extra $$ IMO.

 

[ryuchi]

also, MH = "the shimmer" very pretty

 

[shamanofsexy]

4 foot 54w t5 lighting unit

holds two 54w bulbs would this be enough light for mushroom corals??

 

[shamanofsexy]

yeah the tank is 4 foot just looking for cheap lighting and there is that set on ebay up to £30 (unsure how many dollars that is with a few hours left)

 

[fish scales2]

Attach a link to the fixture please, would like to see if it is of any quality. I believe that is around $90?