Compact florecent (please read before you cringe).

[Unregistered User]

I have a 51 gallon ( L 35 × W 18 x 19H) I am converting from freshwater to salt water. I have done enough research, to know when you purchase a light for this hobby you purchase with foresight, and invest. I don't feel ready to commit to a certain light. At the same time, I'd light to start cycling, get the live rock in etc.

The lighting bought with the tank, is two compact florecent light fixtures. Each holds six, 16" inch, bulbs. Can this fixture hold bulbs strong enough to grow the "hardiest" soft coral?

I learned enough in freshwater to know going at a snail pace has a # of benefits. I also want to make decisions that will detour burnout, and so I am in no rush. The first six months I plan on just live rock, and a pair of clowns. Then in the spring, I'd like start going into beginner soft coral.

So is it possible these two light fixtures can serve minmal needs? Then at the optimal time whether six months, or a year from now I upgrade my lighting. If not, and I'm expecting a no I do have a # of LEDs in mind, but still remorseful T5 fixtures are so expensive no to run. Light recommendations appreciated regardless. Thanks. Happy Halloween!

 

[Heliarc19]

Yes they make bulbs for that fixture that can grow corals but I would invest that bulb money into a light that you can keep or use as supplemental lighting down the road and yes you can cycle with what you have

 

[ReefEco]

Hmmm... never seen bulbs like that before - are you sure they aren't LED's? They look like that have small LED's in strips from the photo...

That is a lot of tubes, probably a lot of light and adequate- though not sure of the spectrum. Only issue I can see is that if it is a freshwater light and geared toward that spectrum, you might have more algae issues while cycling that you would otherwise. If you are starting out slow (congrats on having the right attitude!) see if you can remove half the bulbs and the fixture will still light up. This might help your algae issues while cycling, and will also help you grow coralline algae faster, as intense light deters coralline algae growth. If you have no corals or photysynthetic organisms in the initial six months you mention - intense lighting is just a waste of electricity.

Welcome to the saltwater side of things. It is nice over here : )

 

[Unregistered User]

O my gosh you are right! I've hardly looked at it because until now it wasn't even an option from my perspective. They are 18 watts each. Should I still sell now? I just don't feel I have the knowledge to commit to a light. Same with a skimmer... I want to build a sump, but for now am going to be using a high quality canister filter. Octopus really worth the $$$ my bioload will never been heavy.

 

[Unregistered User]

Hmmm... never seen bulbs like that before - are you sure they aren't LED's? They look like that have small LED's in strips from the photo...

That is a lot of tubes, probably a lot of light and adequate- though not sure of the spectrum. Only issue I can see is that if it is a freshwater light and geared toward that spectrum, you might have more algae issues while cycling that you would otherwise. If you are starting out slow (congrats on having the right attitude!) see if you can remove half the bulbs and the fixture will still light up. This might help your algae issues while cycling, and will also help you grow coralline algae faster, as intense light deters coralline algae growth. If you have no corals or photysynthetic organisms in the initial six months you mention - intense lighting is just a waste of electricity.

Welcome to the saltwater side of things. It is nice over here : )

 

[Ghxst]

Can we get a pic of them on, one right at them and one with them over the tank. If they are led and and a bluer light I say try them out. Some leds can last years, you could potentially use them for a long time. If they are regular and like my pc t5 they are about $30 a bulb, for the $180 you could buy something decent instead.

 

[Ghxst]

Oh wait 6 each, $360..

And you can cycle now without any light. Either way dont add clowns for a month and your sure cycles are done anyway

 

[clownfish chris]

MarsAqua Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Lighting Full Spectrum For Fish Freshwater and Saltwater Coral Tank Blue and White LPS/SPS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GWDF7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rGu-zb0N3EJ25

Great starter light for not much money compared to others. I am growing even the most delicate SPS with great color. I highly disagree with the BRS video saying all Chinese black boxes are the same. T5 supplements help this LED but aren’t necessary.

 

[Unregistered User]

MarsAqua Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Lighting Full Spectrum For Fish Freshwater and Saltwater Coral Tank Blue and White LPS/SPS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GWDF7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rGu-zb0N3EJ25

Great starter light for not much money compared to others. I am growing even the most delicate SPS with great color. I highly disagree with the BRS video saying all Chinese black boxes are the same. T5 supplements help this LED but aren’t necessary.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! I can't hold the light over the tank, and take a photo as I live alone. Below is a picture of the light on! This is an ADA competition tank. My last boyfriend is a international competitive aquascaper (lol, I feel so dorky typing that). He also was not a very nice person, for that reason I was gifted equipment in post breakup restitution. Three bulbs are out. I either have six, nine or twelve unopened bulbs in my garage... I'm scared of spiders so I won't know until tomorrow.

I do have a small T 5 light. Based on all my reading I was leaning towards T5... I have two fixtures unfortunately one is four feet & six bulb, and one is quite small. Of course now I can't find my measuring tape, but I'm guessing 18" 4 bulb. I took photo of it sitting in tank base.

 

[Unregistered User]

MarsAqua Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Lighting Full Spectrum For Fish Freshwater and Saltwater Coral Tank Blue and White LPS/SPS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GWDF7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rGu-zb0N3EJ25

Great starter light for not much money compared to others. I am growing even the most delicate SPS with great color. I highly disagree with the BRS video saying all Chinese black boxes are the same. T5 supplements help this LED but aren’t necessary.

I can afford that easy. It was more holding off until I see that "must have". I made a lot of purchases I later regretted in freshwater. Bigger the price tag more painful the buyers remorse.

 

[Unregistered User]

If

I can afford that easy. It was more holding off until I see that "must have". I made a lot of purchases I later regretted in freshwater. Bigger the price tag more painful the buyers remorse.

If you could provide input on the led light in my post above that would be awesome!

 

[Ghxst]

Those leds you have already should be more than enough to get you cycled then let you host some corals. Can’t wait to see a tank build!!

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Since you don't even need light to cycle you are certainly fine with that light for now. Then when you are ready, start trying some of the less expensive soft corals. Most leathers, mushrooms, xenia and the like will grow under low light. I ran a tank for years with compact fluorescent bulbs. Just avoid the SPS, Anemones, and other high light critters until you are ready.

 

[BubbleFett42079]

I haven't seen CP's used in the hobby for years. You can find many corals that don't require much light like, GSP, mushroom's and some leather's.

Good luck with your build.

 

[ifarmer]

Use that light for a few months for now or until your tank really need another.light. When it comes time for bulb replacement then look for a new fixture. It take a few months to cycle the tank anyway. Furthermore alot of soft corals and or easy grow corals can be be fine with that light.
It is not worth buying new bulbs for that light in my opinion. No body use these light techonoly these day in the hobby and you wont find many store selling them.

There are a lot of LED fixtures out there that are very afforable these days and buying them can be a lot less than if you were to replace bulbs on that Compact florescent light. Good luck