Question about lighting

[jdavid]

I have had a SW tank before but I have never had lights that can support coral. The tank that I am getting (yes I know some people on here do not like biocubes) has this description

compact fluorescent lamps (10,000K and actinic), moonlight LEDs, a built-in ballast and four individual power switches to control the daylight, actinic and LEDs.

And shows this picture

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So I'm assuming it has two of the 10,000k and two of the actinics. The four LED bars I believe are optional and it just comes w the one LED bar between the compact fluorescents. The dimensions of the tank are roughly 20"x20"x20"

My question is will these lights support a variety of corals? Will they support a BTA?
Thanks for reading
JD

 

[maelstrom79]

I think those LEDs have low par from what I've read - they add some color vs actual growth. I'm sure someone else will chime in though!!

 

[jdavid]

I have read a bit, but I keep reading different things. I don't understand what the actinic is good for, if it just adds color or if it actually supports the corals. If I don't need two of those, I can actually replace one of them with another 10,000k. On one forum I read that I need 75,000k to support an anenome. And I'm only at 20,000k stock, 30,000k if I replace one of the actinics. Or do I just need different bulbs altogether? Will the hood even support better bulbs, making it a simple replacement? I just really am new to all this and do not really understand it. But two days ago I had no idea what a protein skimmer did and now I have a pretty good idea of exactly what it does, thanks to Ripped Tide and some others on here. Help me out guys!!!

 

[jdavid]

Not giving me an option to edit?? I get it now that that is just one 10,000k daylight and one actinic. I thought it was two of each but it is a curved bulb ( so that is the difference between power compact and fluorescent?)

Also, I'm seeing that 10,000k is also just the color spectrum.. So I guess it is the wattage that matters when it comes to supporting corals?
Finding a lot about the difference between PC, MH, and LED...

Okay so the 10,000k is 36 watt and the actinic is 24 watt 420 Nm
Does that help lol?

 

[jdavid]

I was looking at this earlier, but it only fits the old oceanic biocubes. I'm getting the newer coralife biocube.
http://www.rapidled.com/biocube-29-dimmable-retrofit-kit-24-led/">http://www.rapidled.com/biocube-29-dimmable-retrofit-kit-24-led/</a>

The bulbs are 19.99 from the website I'm buying from, free shipping on orders over $50.. $38 for the skimmer.

Maybe there is a member on here who can do custom LED's

 

[tbryan]

the stock lighting will easily support softies and most easy lps, probably wont do well for any sps,also fine for a bta although it will probably outgrow the tank fairly quickly.

Edit: although if your planning on going full led soon, you be cheaper in the long run to buy one that comes with the full led setup or buy a used cube and put leds in it

 

[jdavid]

I dont think they sell the biocubes full LED. I'm looking but it will be later than sooner. The tank is purchased already now whatever I can squeeze out of my next paycheck will go to rocks

Really I can take it much slower after I get rocks and sand cycled and get my two clownfish moved in, and let the tank run for a few months.

I'm just trying to understand lights better

 

[schwaggs]

I agree with the others, best to go LED from the get go but it looks like that question is moot now.

You could run 10k bulbs in both sockets but I bet you will not be happy with the visual appearance of your tank. The Actinic is what makes the color pop. You could run 2 10k bulbs with an LED stunner strip to provide actinic-like spectrum.

Until you switch to LEDs, make sure to replace those PC bulbs every 10-12 months to maintain their output.

 

[jdavid]

Thanks guys. 10-12 months? No problem

I don't need the best lighting available, although I do want LEDs I was mainly concerned about being able to keep a nem and some corals that I really like like Duncans. And other ones that I don't know the name of. Lol.