Saltwatertaylor
Well-Known Member
I dont understand the different types of lights. Which ones are for sps which are for lps. Do each need certain colors, certain watts? Inform me on everything about lights in a reef tank 
Reef Lighting
- Thread starter Saltwatertaylor
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Degener8
Active Member
Here is an ultra fast run down
Power compact (flourescent): Basically good for macro and soft corals with low light requirements and FOWLR systems
T5HO flourescent: Depending on the amount of bulbs used good for everything. Higher light requirement corals will benefit from more tubes and higher variables in bulb types
Metal HalideL Good for everything but can stunt some soft and LPS corals if they are placed incorrectly for their light requirements. Can also bleach some SPS depending on placement as well.Largest down side to MH is the major heat issues produced by the bulbs.
LED liughting: Can keep anything, same cons for corals as Metal halide minus the heat issues. Newer drivers and advancements y0ou can Dim the LEDs making them more adjustable for use with a wider variety of coral and they can last up to 50k hours in theory but alot of that depends on the setup and cooling etc.
Power compact (flourescent): Basically good for macro and soft corals with low light requirements and FOWLR systems
T5HO flourescent: Depending on the amount of bulbs used good for everything. Higher light requirement corals will benefit from more tubes and higher variables in bulb types
Metal HalideL Good for everything but can stunt some soft and LPS corals if they are placed incorrectly for their light requirements. Can also bleach some SPS depending on placement as well.Largest down side to MH is the major heat issues produced by the bulbs.
LED liughting: Can keep anything, same cons for corals as Metal halide minus the heat issues. Newer drivers and advancements y0ou can Dim the LEDs making them more adjustable for use with a wider variety of coral and they can last up to 50k hours in theory but alot of that depends on the setup and cooling etc.
Saltwatertaylor
Well-Known Member
Yeah thats awesome! What about the different colors? LED sound like an amazing improvement for lights. Just the ability to dim them to help differ corals makes all the difference.
Tinola
Well-Known Member
Well, if you're talking about T5's that rule will apply(6 to 8 for sps, 5< for softies/LPS etc.). LED-wise, it's a different story. I don't think there's really a watt per gallon rule when it comes to LED's
First of all, what corals are you planning to keep?
If soft corals, you can do Power compact or T5HO(less bulbs)
It just requires a lot of reading truthfully. Lighting will be so much easier to understand once you read proper articles. You can just google around or check the sticky on here about T5's, par ratings, etc.
First of all, what corals are you planning to keep?
If soft corals, you can do Power compact or T5HO(less bulbs)
It just requires a lot of reading truthfully. Lighting will be so much easier to understand once you read proper articles. You can just google around or check the sticky on here about T5's, par ratings, etc.
Tinola
Well-Known Member
Either a 4 lamp or a 6 lamp T5HO if you want to go T5's
But for LED's I don't know since I only keep nano reefs. Maybe 3 or 4 AI SOL fixtures? It's going to be a LOT of money if you go the LED route.
Also, you can DIY your LED fixture to save some money if you know how to solder things together, wire, and such.
But for LED's I don't know since I only keep nano reefs. Maybe 3 or 4 AI SOL fixtures? It's going to be a LOT of money if you go the LED route.
Also, you can DIY your LED fixture to save some money if you know how to solder things together, wire, and such.
No such thing as watts per gallon, as that fails to take so much into account it is ridiculous.
For a standard 120 mixed reef, you will want to look at T5 fixtures with 6-8 bulbs and quality individual reflectors for EACH bulb. You could also do a pair of 250W metal halides with some T5 for supplementation. Or, if you have the cash to use, a pair of quality LED pendants by AI, EcoTech, or you could go with a couple of the value fixtures from Reefbreeders, a sponsor here.
Bottom line, lighting is hard, there are no easy answers, put in the time and read!
For a standard 120 mixed reef, you will want to look at T5 fixtures with 6-8 bulbs and quality individual reflectors for EACH bulb. You could also do a pair of 250W metal halides with some T5 for supplementation. Or, if you have the cash to use, a pair of quality LED pendants by AI, EcoTech, or you could go with a couple of the value fixtures from Reefbreeders, a sponsor here.
Bottom line, lighting is hard, there are no easy answers, put in the time and read!
