Lighting

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

I am new to the hobby and looking into purchasing a lighting system for my reef tank. I know that the lighting is extremely important but I am working with a budget and I would perfer not to spend too much! Please be easy on me lol. Any suggestions on a cheap T5 or LED lighting system I could use? Ive found some on ebay but wanted some feedback before I bought anything. Thanks in advance!

Reefing Madness · Nov 3, 2014

The E-Bay units are fine, look for one with 4 lamps. Give us the size of your tank, then the guys will have a better idea where to point you.

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

Its a standard 29 gallon tank. Length is 30". Would you suggest T5 or LED? Here are the links to the two I have been looking at. Thanks again

Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=191377449511&alt=web

Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=290859145284&alt=web

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
The E-Bay units are fine, look for one with 4 lamps. Give us the size of your tank, then the guys will have a better idea where to point you.

Its a standard 29 gallon tank. Length is 30". Would you suggest T5 or LED? Also, if I go with T5 which bulbs should I go with? Here are the links to the two I have been looking at. Thanks again 
 

Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=191377449511&alt=web 
 

Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=290859145284&alt=web

Electrobes · Nov 3, 2014

I honestly believe the LEDs you've linked would be inadequate for corals. At present I feel that LEDs have a high learning curve, and with you being beginner I would rather you use the T5 fixture. I understand you are on a budget, but I want to make sure you get the best fixture, within your budget... I would have you consider looking through the selling section of this website (After you make the post count requirement).

Before you make a purchase, I assume you have not yet set up the aquarium.. could you tell us more about what you'd like to do (Some corals you'd like to keep) with your tank? What do you currently have, equipment-wise for your set up?

Please ask us any questions you may have! in the mean time (While you get your post count up), I recommend these links for some reef education that will benefit you for life:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...ey/174821-randys-reef-chemistry-articles.html

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

Electrobes said:
I honestly believe the LEDs you've linked would be inadequate for corals. At present I feel that LEDs have a high learning curve, and with you being beginner I would rather you use the T5 fixture. I understand you are on a budget, but I want to make sure you get the best fixture, within your budget... I would have you consider looking through the selling section of this website (After you make the post count requirement).

Before you make a purchase, I assume you have not yet set up the aquarium.. could you tell us more about what you'd like to do (Some corals you'd like to keep) with your tank? What do you currently have, equipment-wise for your set up?

Please ask us any questions you may have! in the mean time (While you get your post count up), I recommend these links for some reef education that will benefit you for life:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...ey/174821-randys-reef-chemistry-articles.html

The aquarium is up and running with the standard lighting. Right now I have 40 pounds of live sand and about 20 pounds of live rock. An occelaris clown, yellow tang and a goby. About 7 hermits, 8 zombie snails and a sand sifter star. Running with a HOB Aquaclear 50 filter. I still have some upgrades to go to I know but its up and running now with no issues. Had the water tested and all parameters are fine as well.

dghby · Nov 3, 2014

smitti2002 said:
The aquarium is up and running with the standard lighting. Right now I have 40 pounds of live sand and about 20 pounds of live rock. An occelaris clown, yellow tang and a goby. About 7 hermits, 8 zombie snails and a sand sifter star. Running with a HOB Aquaclear 50 filter. I still have some upgrades to go to I know but its up and running now with no issues. Had the water tested and all parameters are fine as well.

I am new to Saltwater myself but pretty sure your tank is way to small for that Yellow Tang. I am thinking you need 90 gl for it at least.

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

dghby said:
I am new to Saltwater myself but pretty sure your tank is way to small for that Yellow Tang. I am thinking you need 90 gl for it at least.

I agree, my LFS said I would be OK with it. I will probably trade it back in for something smaller.

Electrobes · Nov 3, 2014

Not too shabby, some things I'd like to mention:

- You're going to get critism for having a Tang in an aquarium of that size. I usually stay out of these types of things, but I can't say I would disagree with them in this situation. You may want to reconsider this fish.

- What kind of Goby if I may ask?

- Your clean up crew ain't bad, but I would remove the Sand Sifting star and maybe go for a Serpent Starfish (Avoid the green one) instead. They are usually cheap and are great scavengers. The Sand Sifting star is a voracious eater of sand bed critters, and is often advised-against in your current tank size.

- Is there any other water movement aside from the AC50? Do you have any powerheads in your tank?

- Who or what did you use to test your parameters? What are the more recent results?

Reefing Madness · Nov 3, 2014

Mr 120 LED Aquarium Light Marine Coral Reef 55X 3W SPS Dimmable Full Spectrum | eBay
120W Oceanrevive S026 LED Aquarium Light Dimmable Full Spectrum LPS SPS Lamp | eBay

T5 Quad 20" Aquarium Light HO 72W Cichlid Marine Reef LED 4X 18W Lamps Nano | eBay
T5 Quad 24" Timer Aquarium Light Fowlr Coral Reef Cichlid 96W LED | eBay
MH 24" Metal Halide T5 Aquarium Light Coral Reef Marine 250W Bulb Lamp LED 346W | eBay

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

Its a pink spotted goby. Im glad my LFS has thus far steered me in the wrong direction lol. I do have a 525gph powerhead, I have two but only one in the tank right now. I will for sure take the Tang back and the star. Idk what the exact measurements were, I just had them test it and they said it was good. i know, big no no not getting the actual readings.

smitti2002 · Nov 3, 2014

Electrobes said:
Not too shabby, some things I'd like to mention:

- You're going to get critism for having a Tang in an aquarium of that size. I usually stay out of these types of things, but I can't say I would disagree with them in this situation. You may want to reconsider this fish.

- What kind of Goby if I may ask?

- Your clean up crew ain't bad, but I would remove the Sand Sifting star and maybe go for a Serpent Starfish (Avoid the green one) instead. They are usually cheap and are great scavengers. The Sand Sifting star is a voracious eater of sand bed critters, and is often advised-against in your current tank size.

- Is there any other water movement aside from the AC50? Do you have any powerheads in your tank?

- Who or what did you use to test your parameters? What are the more recent results?

I know, I have a lot of learning to do. Id perfer not rely on the store. Im guessing the majority of the employees get a crash course and thats all, at least around here. I do have a 525gph powerhead running. I bought two but didnt want to overdo it. I actually didnt get the exact reading, I know, my mistake. They just told me everything looked good with it. I plan on going back either tonight or tomorrow and I will have it tested again. I appreciate all of your help and patience with me [emoji16] .