I'm currently using stock, and would like I grow any type of coral, or anemone. Have been considering retrofit kit light ongoing such as steves led or rapid led. But want to know if I can get by just using stock (which are fluorescent lights BTW)
Do I really need to upgrade oceanic biocube 14 lighting?
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Any is not really that possible.
you can do a lot with tubes. get ones with good spectrum. If you want cheap ebay has topdogsellers. the odyssea brand works pretty well.
you can do a lot with tubes. get ones with good spectrum. If you want cheap ebay has topdogsellers. the odyssea brand works pretty well.
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I don't thinks so, stock would be ok for low light corals, and maybe some medium light.
I would not give a try to an anemone in that tank, regardless of light but that's just me. It'd be awfully small for one, I think.
How long have you had it up?
I found the heat in the summer to be an issue with the stock lights, and went with led primarily for that reason.
I would not give a try to an anemone in that tank, regardless of light but that's just me. It'd be awfully small for one, I think.
How long have you had it up?
I found the heat in the summer to be an issue with the stock lights, and went with led primarily for that reason.
mochaclownlover
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You couldn't really grow too much with the stock lights besides soft corals. If you upgrade, the steves led kits work well, i have one on my biocube and can grow almost any thing.
mochaclownlover
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You couldn't really grow too much with the stock lights besides soft corals. If you upgrade, the steves led kits work well, i have one on my biocube and can grow almost any thing.
This is spot on with what my LFS said. They told me florescent are great for growth, so long I replace them every 6 months. LEDs are not a necessity, but they are nice.
I have Coralife 24 Watt 10000K Straight Pin Compact Fluorescent Lamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O3EOKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_c2PKwb2J0MXAE
As well as TrueLumen Aquatic 10-Inch 4-453nm Blue LED Strip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XXAE84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_83PKwbQJ4FQXH for the blue spectrum ( I am not using the actinic fluorescent bulb )
My tank was bought used, and had some corals in it. I believe the tank has been going for around 2 years. I had a major die off, that I think was due to the fact I had too much coral but did not supplement them properly as a newbie.
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I was concerned of the size of my tank for the anemone. I just need something for my clowns to host so they won't be such ***** to my other fish.
As far as what is being said about only soft corals can grow in stock, the tank had a leaf plate SPS, that stayed well for a good period during the time I've had the tank, but sadly died because my light burned out and it took too long to replace. My LFS said that florescent is great for growth and can handle. A variety of LPS and SPS.... But I keep reading mixed opinions online
you dont actually have to replace them every 6 months. It does depend on the heat. But I have a meter and track the burn time and can "see" when it starts to dim.
On a graph,the difference between a lamp after day one to a month is a bit dramatic. the difference between month on and six is a bit dramatic. The difference between mont 3 and 12 is not that dramatic.
the lumen ad par out put doesnt chanche that much for the average reefer according to my meters.
it does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and fixtur to fixture, esp dependent on heat. it a goo practice to always have 2 tubes in a tank for spectrum and change one of them evry six months....or so.
a $15 lux meter (light intensity) will actually tell you.
and yea Opinions. Oy.
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IME, 2 clownfish in a biocube 14 will not tolerate any other fish. Especially once they reach maturity and start laying eggs. But mine host pulsing xenia.
Pretty close to done in bio load if you figure the cuc in there. You need stuff to eat poop.
Time to buy corals[emoji1]
Time to buy corals[emoji1]
Mine is spendy. Amazon has them cheap. Manufacturers of lights dont give specs in lux and rarely lumens. There are scientific resources for lux par conversion.
once you get the lights in the tank(get good spectrum) measure the light at the top of the tank, or do this dry.
daylight is 80 to 100,000 lumens. My sps friends say 40k lux to 80k lux at the top for sps. High light. lights off is 0. low 20k lux comes out as true medium.
intensity.
so with a meter now you know where you at. now when it says Hi lite or low your good to go.
it seems most keepers run thier at aroun 13,ooo lux med low.
and no its rarely listed what par or lux a coral will grow at because the range they will grow at is so different.
but if you know what intensity you have + good spectrum (= higher par), you have a better understanding of what can go into your tank.(smaller chance of overdose and underdose.)
Now usung that when you shop for lights you know you want 10,000 more on intensity, or not. And now you can take the meter with you when you shop or browse a shop or go to a friends house.
once you get the lights in the tank(get good spectrum) measure the light at the top of the tank, or do this dry.
daylight is 80 to 100,000 lumens. My sps friends say 40k lux to 80k lux at the top for sps. High light. lights off is 0. low 20k lux comes out as true medium.
intensity.
so with a meter now you know where you at. now when it says Hi lite or low your good to go.
it seems most keepers run thier at aroun 13,ooo lux med low.
and no its rarely listed what par or lux a coral will grow at because the range they will grow at is so different.
but if you know what intensity you have + good spectrum (= higher par), you have a better understanding of what can go into your tank.(smaller chance of overdose and underdose.)
Now usung that when you shop for lights you know you want 10,000 more on intensity, or not. And now you can take the meter with you when you shop or browse a shop or go to a friends house.
if I wasnt clear. Get what fits the tank. the best spectrum you can afford. and meter to check the results. a blue led strip will increase the par(and make the corals POP for night mode.
Take the meter with you so you dont get one that is too weak. (a 20klux tank wont do any good to have a 5k lux blue strip except as a dim moon)
