Lights for a 30gal?

Phischy

Phischy

New Member
Hey folks, got a question for you. I've got a 30-35gal tank (for more info check under Phischy's Project in the 20gal section) and the ballast I have is a sea clear power compact 2x 55watts.

I plan on setting up a reef tank however I do not intend to house the harder to keep species. Both my bulbs are crap so I'm replacing them. Should I go with a true atinic and a 10,000k? Do I have enough lighting?

With what I have what sorts of limits have I already place on myself as far as species selection? I'm really not looking that hard at coral just yet as I'm getting back into the hobby. So I'm more than content to use what I have until I become more knowledgeable.
 
I

incysor

New Member
If you're not looking at hard corals, clams, or most anemones I think that 110w over a 30-35 would be fine.

I had the same 2 55w pc setup over my 55gal for the first year. I had a green bubbletip anemone, frogspawn, several types of polyps, bubble coral, mushrooms, xenia, anthelia, a couple different kinds of leathers, etc... The fixture finally started having problems so I replaced it with 2 65w pc lamps. Which I successfully kept a crocea clam under. I just upgraded to a 75gal tank, and I'm going to upgrade the lights to vho.

Brian
 
H

Hillbilly

New Member
Have you cosidered 70w. HQI MH? Much more efficent watt for watt. T-5's are very nice also, but cost a little more. Heck, I'm going to put a 250w. HQI with a 20k AB bulb on a 15g ! But hey, I'm one of "them crazy acro freaks". :twisted: If you use the pc's, a combo of daylight and actinic would be cool. With the pc's I think you could expect to keep most softies without much trouble. Just always research any critter you plan on keeping to make you can meet it's needs, and you should do fine. However, I'm sure you'll do that anyway. :smile: By the way, the tank is looking good.
 
Phischy

Phischy

New Member
My lights ar eup and running, I may upgrade them in a year but for now I'll just host what'll survive with my existing lighting. It's a big-er tank than nano's so I can fill it with lots of other things before stepping up in the world to MH etc... I just need a moon light right now but it's cool, the whole system is curing right now so no worries.

e
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top