Lighting

[Mandee]

I have a 220 gallon I'm starting SLOWLY to make sure I'm doing everything right .
When I purchased the tank this is the lighting system it came with. I'm wondering if it is any good? What is it?

I know LEDS is the best but I'm not ready to spend that much on them.

 

[Daytonareefing]

It's an old power compact setup. It will work but there much better lights out there. I had one I could not even give it away. But it will grow corals if the bulbs are not to old.

 

[twilliard]

Compacts with 2 HQI Halides
This would be a good fixture set high enough as to not shadow with the HQI's
These do get HOT
I ran a fixture like that but the heat combined was not conducive to my setup

 

[Mandee]

Compacts with 2 HQI Halides
This would be a good fixture set high enough as to not shadow with the HQI's
These do get HOT
I ran a fixture like that but the heat combined was not conducive to my setup

I know I turned it on for a couple of mins and then touched it and OUCH!

 

[twilliard]

It will work but I would replace all lamps in it unless you know how old they are.
I ran 14K HQI with actinic PC's and grew any coral I placed in.
Hope it works for you Mandee!

 

[Mandee]

Anyone have experience with the Orbit Marine LED lightening

 

[twilliard]

Sure do I have 2 of them here

 

[Mandee]

How are they? How many do I need for a 220?

 

[Mandee]

Should I get 2 36 inch.

My measurements for tank are 72×24×30

 

[twilliard]

A 220g tank..
I don't think they will have enough penetration and intensity for that tank depth.
I noticed they came out with a better designed marine fixture but have not used those. Might want to look into the spectrum of the new marine fixture.

 

[Mandee]

I'm not sure how much spectrum or depth I need. I'm new to this.

 

[twilliard]

Sorry Mandee!
Well that is quite a large tank are you not going to use your HQI fixture?
Led lighting for that length will get a little on the spendy side.
If you went orbit I can see 4 24" fixture might cover it without shadowing mounted front to back and not lengthwise

 

[Mandee]

I was seeing about upgrading but not really sure the spectrums you need.

 

[Mandee]

Would the pro 72 work?

 

[twilliard]

From what I see on the par it would cover a lot but par drops considerably at the bottom.
What coral are you wanting to keep? Or will this be a fish only tank?