Lighting for my 75 gal ....suggestions..?

[BKT]

I'm putting a 75 (48") gal in my office, next to sheet rock wall as you come in the office. I am looking for an AFFORDABLE light to purchase and use for a full reef tank, corals, etc..

I do not want the light to be exstremely hot or loud, but able to accomplish the task. Can one of you Guru's point me in the right direction.. Iv'e noticed alot of you are from Texas, so any vendors in our area would be ideal.

I've been researching as well but think I'll get @#(&%*@) when it comes to buying a decent one...lol

thanks-
Brianj

Also someone help me try to figure out how to place photos on this site? or how to resize them to fit?

[pilot_bell777]

Well it depends on what you want to keep and how deep your tank is.

I ran these on my 75 when I was only keeping softies and they worked fine. You probably aren't going to run SPS in your office anyways.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=CU01024

I had 95watt lights in mine though...got it way cheaper on Ebay.

[mathias]

I got a MH setup 2 400 watt lights ready to go for $225....

[Ram_Puppy]

for full reef there is only one way to go, halides. you can go the cheap tar ballast way, or you can go all out and get icecap ballasts w/ awesome reflectors and what not... (closer to 600 for 2 of them)

You might also consider getting some T-5's

[pilot_bell777]

Your talking an office though.......not a home and access to water, drains, RO/DI units, etc, etc is limited. It would be hard to keep all the things you need for a COMPLETE reef in an office. Now tack on that he is new to salt water....that ups his chances of failure. No offense.......

JMO....for an office I would keep some nice fish, LR/LS, inverts, and some softies and maybe a couple easy LPS corals to keep the requirements and such down.

In that case T5 or PCs would be more than enough......not only that but I wouldn't want to sit in a small office or even a nice size office with a couple of strong MH running.

[LoneStar]

If I remember from another post, its for his HOME office. I believe he is part of the K9 unit in his area.

[LoneStar]

And by the way Metal Halide is the way to go. I have one on my 55 (which is close to the same dimensions of a 75, just a little smaller on the depth and height) and it covers 70% of it in good strong light. I also have retro fit t-5's for good actinic support. In the shadded areas, you could do some not-so intense corals and zoas. But be warned, try to get a grasp on what you want NOW, as in livestock, before purchasing anything. No need to blow money on something you will upgrade or change later on.

Here is a photo of mine to help give an idea on the light. Its just a retro fit metal halide with a cheapy balast but works great. It is a 250w 10k XM bulb with two 55w T-5 flourescent light bulbs giving off actinic light. The higher the color spectrum for the MH bulbs, the more blue they will look. The 10k is a good yellow/blue balance. (the halide fixture is offset, not too centered in the canopy) Depending on if you go pendant or canopy, make sure you have good reflectors!!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/125053.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/125051.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/12-5-052.jpg

[Ram_Puppy]

I had also assumed this was his home office since his wife had a say in what went in it, and while all offices are not created equal, I did install my old RO system in my wife's office and plumbed a line through the hanging cieling into her office so that when I do put the 110 in there for her goldfish (ack barf) the RODI system can top off her tanks evaporation.

[gjuarez]

Brian, if you have noticed that most of us are from Texas is because all of us are from Texas, South Texas to be exact except some of us live more to the south. Most of the members are from San Antonio, Austin and surrouding areas. ANyways, as far as lighting I would go with Metal Halides, that way you will never have to upgrade. I would do a pair of 250 watters with a pair of VHO actinic. If you dont plan to have a canopy, go double ended halides with a 14k bulb so you can at least have a bluish spectrum. Good luck with the tank.

[Ram_Puppy]

Not to pick a fight, and maybe I am dumb, but why would anyone want to use VHO's in the age of power compacts and T-5's? Both power compacts and T-5's make up for their expensive startup costs in longer bulb life, power compacts keep their spectral life over a year, and T-5's keep their spectral life over TWO years. VHO's at 6 months, less intensity, less efficiency, just don't seem to be a good option to me anymore. (just my 2 cents. :) ) no offense.

[gjuarez]

I have heard from a lot of people that they are not satisfied with t5 actinic supplementation. T5s are great in my opinion, for a while I thought about getting them for an all sps tank but all the talk about t5 actinic kinda got me discouraged. SOme of the best tanks in I have seen have VHO actinic supplementation. As far as PC lights, I have tried PC actinics and vho outperforms them by far, but then again I have no evidence and I just go by what the corals indicate. THe t5 actinic bulbs I have seen are too blue in my opinion, at least the ones I have seen. Does anybody know of any good t5 actinic bulbs out there? I have ice cap ballasts and the vho's could easily be replaced. Ram, now you got me thinking.

[BKT]

Man lots of people with different views, nice to read. What I have to keep in mind though is the heat output of the halides, next to the wall, in probably a 10 by 15 foot home office. I don't really want the exchange of heat to bother the computer equipment either. I was wondering for now, what you thought of the "odyssey" lamps. I found one for 200.00 with two antic and two white 65 watt bulbs, 260 all together...now I know I'm new thats why I'm stirring the pot with you more knowledgeable brainiacs..lol. The next task is a skimmer...fire away..I'm still keeping open minds on the lights ...

[Ram_Puppy]

hmm.. good to know guys, thanks for the feedback.

from what I have read, the Geisman (german made) T-5 Actinics are the the best in the T-5 market.

I have one of these: (pure Actinic)

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104528.html

and one of these: (Blue Plus Actinic)

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104033.html

the other two in my setup are 13K geismans, but I may switch them out for actinics after I get them mounted over water.

[GaryP]

hmm.. good to know guys, thanks for the feedback.

from what I have read, the Geisman (german made) T-5 Actinics are the the best in the T-5 market.
Geismans are great, if you can afford them. Like Paletta said at his talk, the German's think the streets in the US are paved in gold. Some of us don't operate our systems with an un-ending supply of cash. Sometimes we have to make concessions. Those of you that have seen my tanks know that they look pretty good, even with my "old school" lighting that inclused VHO actinics. As a matter of fact, I plan to triple the amount of actinic in my new system. I'm not the type to jump on something that is the supposed latest and greatest technology. How many of you are still using the calcium monitor that was so hot last year? How many of the folks that jumped on T5's last year have gone back to VHO? I hate to always be the Bah Humbug guy here, but I'll let other's invest their money and then prove the technology before I jump in. Remember the claims that T5's were good for 2 years before replacing them? When was the last time you heard of anyone doing that?

[dwdenny]

No posting form the originator Ihope we did not scare him off.

[pilot_bell777]

HOME OFFICE ..... LOL...that makes a HUGE difference! LOL

Don-in-SA is running only T5s (I think) and his tank is AWESOME!

[GaryP]

HOME OFFICE ..... LOL...that makes a HUGE difference! LOL

Don-in-SA is running only T5s (I think) and his tank is AWESOME!

Yes it is, BUT he's not doing SPS in his tank. I will make you a $1,000 bet that I can grow SPS with any bulb you can name, including incandescent. Wantt to take me up on it? Do I use incandescent bulbs on my aquarium? Of course not, but it doesn't mean that I can't. Corals don't care what the source of light is, all they care about is how much. Some spectrums may give you better pigment development, or cause them to fluourese more, or give better reflected light, but they really could care less where it came from. Does anyone know what the K value is for sunlight? Anyone here using a 5.5K bulb on their SPS tanK? See my point?

[BKT]

Ram, I see your point. I had spoke with a sales clerk about the T5 about a year ago and he had hyped me up on the product. I see alot of reading ahead like Matt had told me...(by the way I am reading) Ram what was your set up cost for the lights?

Greenmako, looks like you have your hands full with all the critters..lol. I have the same, 5 cats, 3 dogs, tons of fish...lol

When I get home from work, never a dull moment..

[BKT]

NOPE, I'm not scared off yet! Sorry about the delay, last night when the small winter storm (sky is falling), we had accident after accident. Geez, I wonder why people do mach3 when they know it's below freezing?

I'm really enjoying the conversation...feels like I'm graduating to another level when I start to understand the lingo...lol

[GaryP]

BKT,

One word of advice about advice you get at LFS. Consider the source. Nothing against the people that work at the LFS, but as you get more into the hobby you will figure out who are really knowledgeable and who are just parroting what some sales rep told them. We were all there at one time. Unfortunately for me, it was before the net and sites like this were available to get any independent source of info. Unfortunately we have both kinds in the industry and its not really easy to tell the which is which. The LFS clerk you are talking to may be a cichlid guy for all you know and he is giving you advice on a reef tank. That's the equivalent of a plumber telling you how to do heart surgery in my opinion. Its easy for a manufacturer to make claims on a new product, such as the 2 year replacement on T5s. Its up to guys like us to go out and prove their claims with our money and the health of our tanks. Rarely will you see any concrete scientific data to support their claims. See my point?

[LoneStar]

And its all about making a sale sometimes too with the LFS :innocent
(not generalizing but it happens)

[GaryP]

And its all about making a sale sometimes too with the LFS :innocent
(not generalizing but it happens)
When was the last time someone at an LFS told you to do nothing. I'm generalizing a bit, but I can think of a few LFS where "do nothing" is not in their vocabulary. There is always a silver bullet you can buy that will solve any problem or improve your system 100%. Again, that silver bullet may only be silver because a manufacturer's rep said it was.

In the defence of a lot of the folks at the LFS, they often don't get asked the right questions, or perhaps aren't given all the information they need to give you good advice. I'm sure that happens as often as not, especially with the newbies to the hobby. I see it here all the time, why would it be any different in a an LFS? In addition, they may only have 1-2 minutes to help you before they have to move on and help the next customer. I can't think of many problems that can be thoroughly diagnosed in that period of time. Its not that they are trying to mislead people. I'm sure they feel they are giving good advice most of the time.

OK, we are WAY off topic and I led this cub scout troop on this little hike through the woods.

[mathias]

I only have MH on my 125 gal tank but I went with 15k bulbs....

[hobogato]

how do you like the 15k? are they xm?

that's what im running but i use PC actinics and 50/50 for suppliments (i know, let the thrashing begin)

[GaryP]

how do you like the 15k? are they xm?

that's what im running but i use PC actinics and 50/50 for suppliments (i know, let the thrashing begin)
Are you sure they are true actinics? 420 vs. 460 nm spectrum?

[alton]

In my 75 I have Softies and LPS and it is lit with a 4' compact fluorescent fixture with 4 x 65w. My office is 12' x 14' and I never use the heater including today. If you want SPS and the look go with MH. The question you have is, do I spend the money up front for MH or when you need to replace lamps? MH lamps are much cheaper to replace then the combination of PC's or T5HO's that it takes to compete with as far as light value. I have 2 - 250w MH fixtures with elect. ballast on my 155 and would not trade them for anything. My AC bill went up slightly but I am saving in the winter.

[hobogato]

some of the bulbs i am running are older and not true actinics, but i am changing to the true actinics as i replace the bulbs.

[Richard]

I will make you a $1,000 bet that I can grow SPS with any bulb you can name, including incandescent.


OK, I could use an extra grand. I name Hagen Nite-Glo Reptile Bulb. Here's a link...

http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/501539

You can pick the wattage Gary ;)

[GaryP]

I will make you a $1,000 bet that I can grow SPS with any bulb you can name, including incandescent.


OK, I could use an extra grand. I name Hagen Nite-Glo Reptile Bulb. Here's a link...

http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/501539

You can pick the wattage Gary ;)
Order me a bunch of 1000 watt bulbs. What is the PAR value on those guys anyway? Better make it 2000 watt bulbs. You did say pick the wattage, right?

[Ram_Puppy]

I spent almost 1K on my lights (4 X24W T-5's w/ icecap ballast, 2 X 250 watt HQI's w/ icecap ballast and reefstar 2 pendants)

Now, one could say the difference between Gary's knowledge and my knowledge is the difference between book smarts and experience. I for one think Gary is overly 'poo-pooing' T-5's. I have seen many great tanks w/ them, and have talked to a few people on reef central that say as long as you buy quality (i.e. you get what you pay for ESPECIALLY in this hobby) they have not experieced serious spectral decay or a loss of intensity over 6 months that would require the changing of bulbs. but that is just me. I did my research and decided that due to the size and shape of my tank, T-5 supplimentation was the only way for me to go.

[LoneStar]

I will make you a $1,000 bet that I can grow SPS with any bulb you can name, including incandescent.


OK, I could use an extra grand. I name Hagen Nite-Glo Reptile Bulb. Here's a link...

http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/501539

You can pick the wattage Gary ;)
Order me a bunch of 1000 watt bulbs. What is the PAR value on those guys anyway? Better make it 2000 watt bulbs. You did say pick the wattage, right?

:lol I see a challenge for the Myth Busters on the Discovery Channel!!!

[Ram_Puppy]

I was watching a show the other night... 'reconstructing stone henge' they used an 18,000 watt bulb to simulate where the sun was 4K years ago (because the tilt fo earth has shifted in that time) man... I wonder what a 18,000 watt bulb runs... and could I fit it over my tank?

[Ram_Puppy]

Daddy like! :)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=DER1218K&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist &sku=148214

[Ross]

After dealing with many different tanks of my own, and ones i have worked on at work, i have come to a conclusion. That is that anything less than metal halides is a waste. The growth from corals goes far beyond any other light. 2nd best i would say vho's, followed by T-5s then PC's. I dont think i will ever set up another tank with anything less than mh's. This is just 1 opinion, but i have seen lots and lots of tanks through work to base my opinion on. And some tanks are great with T-5s or even pcs, but they dont have near the intensity of mhs. Then again, maybe im crazy, i am about to install over 200 watts on a 12g tank.

[Ram_Puppy]

yer not crazy! :) I don't think anyone is debating that halides are not top dog, they will rule the roost until some brave soul finally invents a more econmocial solution. (like perhaps the next generation of Super bright LED's)

[gjuarez]

Joshua, thats what I have been trying to say. The whities are great but the actinics just dont convince me. I did a lot of research on T5s on RC and with a couple of fellow maastards. I still have a couple of PMs from Tim Marvin who was totally convinced that his sps corals' colors and growth were greatly improved by t5s and coming from him I was sold. I started thinking a little further and came to the conclusion that other factors play a big role in coloration and growth of sps and not just the lighting. I am sure that the average reefer wont get the same results as Tim. I kept doing more research, asking more questions and looking at more tanks and decided that the best choice for me was MHs with VHO. Amongst the factors of being succesful with T5 is having awesome reflectors and good water clarity so the light can penetrate well.

[Pacman]

I know a lot of you guys have respect for VHO actinics, but believe me you can do an entire tank with VHO's. I set mine up with only VHO lights because you get the best polyp extension from large polyp stony corals with bright DIFFUSE light, and that is what I intended to keep for the most part in my tank.

However, I have "branched" out since then, trying some small polyp stony corals, and the growth has actually been quite amazing. I have only tried some of the lower light SPS like montipora digitata and capricornis, but they have grown from tiny frags to full colonies in only a few months. Perhaps the growth would be even better with MH, but don't discount VHO's.

Anyway, getting back to the ORIGINAL question. Yes, there are many lighting options which will work. VHOs to me bring out the most natural colors without looking like a radioactive barney illuminating your tank, they are a tried and proven technology, and you get the best LPS extension. If this is what you are after, give them a consider.

[gjuarez]

I totally agree. VHOs can sometimes be underrated. Like Gary mentioned, sps can grow under any lighting providing there is enough light and that all other factors are taken care of.

[Pacman]

Hey Josh, I got my SPS from you actually. Well, glad to let you know they are doing quite well.

[BKT]

Alton, sorry to sound stupid but

In my 75 I have Softies and LPS

What are you talking about...now remember I'm taking small steps...lol

Anyway, I have transitioned the tank to the office and all is well. Temporarily I put in a Odyssea 48 light 260watts. I know it's not the best, but guys and gals..for now I will have to begin with this. The next issue is a skimmer, checking up on that now.

Any ideals on how to buff out small scratches on the outside of the tank? I have a few and don't enjoy looking at them...

[Ram_Puppy]

is your tank glass or acrylic?

I have a glass buffing kit, but you should probably drain the tank before using it.

[gjuarez]

As far as skimmers, I think a turboflotro 1000 would be good for your setup.

[Ram_Puppy]

I have a kit that will take out very LIGHT scratchs on glass. you use it w/ a drill, and it has a coars paste, and a super fine paste. you clean the glass w/ alchohol, then apply the paste to the disc, and start working it randomly, like you would w/ wet sanding. you have to spritz it w/ water as you go, and it takes a decent amount of time.

I bought it for a 100 gallon tank I got that had more scratches than I thought, but it didn't work so well on the tempered glass I think (or I was not patient enough) It DID however reduce the depth of the scratches (some were to severe to recover) and smooth out the edges so algae growing in the scratch was not so apparent.

It's a nice little kit.