I'm going to start a reef tank?

Question

I am goin to start a 30 gal reef tank what kind of lighting do you think i should use i am not sure if i want to do hard of soft corals yet i would like to do both if possible

Answer 1

At the very minimum, you should get a compact fluorescent fixture if you want to keep any of the photosynthetic animals (corals, anemones, clams). Animals that need higher intensity light might even do better with a metal halide, or CF/MH combo. The CFs that I use are this type: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10940/product.web , although there are several models and manufacturers. This has an actic bulb that can simulate dawn and dusk, and a bright blue-white light that provides the wavelengths needed for photosynthesis. Whatever system you get, make sure you have a local source for the tubes, because these should be replaced yearly (wavelength and intensity changes over time - don't wait till the lamps burn out to replace them).

The CFs and metal halides both produce heat, but the MH system will produce more, and they also produce UV wavelengths, so you need to be aware of working around them that they can cause "sunburn" as well as a contact burn if you touch them. They can also be an issue in keeping the water temperature at a level where the organisms aren't overheated to te point of expelling the zooxanthellae (and causing their own deaths).

Answer 2

T5s are a relatively new fluorescent that are becoming very popular. I know someone with a 600 gallon tank who has gotten rid of his metal halides and gone exclusively to T5s. I have 4 of the 4 foot bulbs over my 75. They come in different lengths and different colors.

Another positive point is that they don't have to be replaced every year. Most lights for marine aquariums will eventually stop producing light in the range of the spectrum necessary for the corals. Usually they recommend replacing them once a year. T5s have a 2 year replacement cycle. They are usually less expensive than VHOs or Power Compacts and they give more light at a lower wattage than comparable VHO lights.

Tony

Answer 3

Halides would be a good choice but most a 150w will most likely require a chiller, but you would be set for whatever kind of coral you would want. some fo the dual power compacts would allow for soft coral and a quite a few LPS. i don't believ that t-5's or VHO's have 30" fixtures. there are alos 70w Halide clamp lights, but you would have any actinics, which corals do need some of. i would say that power compacts would be a good choice unless you really think you want SPS, clams or other very high light corals.

Answer 4

in simple terms follow the Damsels for now. even however you get carry of water from the puppy keep does no longer mean the water is cycled in 2 weeks. it ought to take months till the micro organism have customary themselves adequate interior the tank. Your tank may even cycle extra suitable than as quickly as as you upload fish. in simple terms shop checking ranges of each thing no longer basically nitrite/nitrate and do partial water adjustments on a typical foundation. I killed fish for years till I gained extra journey. additionally, did you acclimatize the fish interior the bag suitable via flow or drip technique in the previous introducing them into the tank?

Answer 5

90 watt for soft 120 or more watt for hard I would get the 120 and get xenias,leather and mushrooms for starters and then get some frogspawn or even a kenya tree or too.