Upgrading Lighting

[Chiefmaster30]

Currently, all I have on my 60 gallon is 2 Marineland Led light sticks that came with the tank. Have a low budget and have been seriously considering the Mars Aqua black box brand. Anyone thing that a 48" Corallife t5 HO TWO bulb fixture would be enough for a 60 gallon 4ft long tank?

 

[turanevins]

I had 2 of the black box leds over my 4ft 75 gallon and I didn't supplement with t5. Everything grew just fine, and the color was amazing!

 

[Chiefmaster30]

I'm wandering if I don't buy any black boxes and just buy 1 double bulb t5 HO FIXTURE, would that 1 fixture be enough lighting for a 60 gallon.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes the CBB is fine.
consider this. youll like the ramp and built in timer. If you like the royal blue your head will fall off.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-2-Or...815888?hash=item3ac8f840d0:g:9m0AAOSwXrhXmviy
if you buy just one and add the t5 its really cool too.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm wandering if I don't buy any black boxes and just buy 1 double bulb t5 HO FIXTURE, would that 1 fixture be enough lighting for a 60 gallon.

it depends on height of the fixture and bulb choice.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

and corals

 

[Chiefmaster30]

Would this be sufficient enough for a 60 gallon?

 

[turanevins]

Not if you plan on having any corals, I had 4 over my 4ft tank and it still wasn't enough that's why I upgraded, if you want to stick to t5s there are some great fixtures out there like the AI sun power. There's also metal haladies I ran both over a 6 ft tank and loved it! Not the electric bill though lol. Leds are the way to go, even the cheap ones on ebay work and can be retro fitted they last longer no bulb changes and save on electric. Check your local craigslist too sometimes there's some steals on there!

 

[turanevins]

And if you must decide on t5s make sure to choose 10k 15k whatever whites and blue actintic light bulbs, the more the better but atleast 4 bulbs on your tank, 2 blue 2 white. Guess you could just buy 2 of those if you wanted to go that route

 

[cracker]

I used 2 Mars aqua's over a 75. they didn't offer full coverage (little dim in the corners but there was plenty of light and corals did fine.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

cheap t5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PS-Quad-48-...814767?hash=item1a0c9dc0af:g:12AAAOSw5dNWn~Q~

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pack-T5-B...2f9cee8&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=111880814767

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I used 2 Mars aqua's over a 75. they didn't offer full coverage (little dim in the corners but there was plenty of light and corals did fine.

yup. you can pull half the lenses too and get better spread and still have enough power to spare

 

[Chiefmaster30]

So I'd be better off getting the Mars Aqua than this cheap t5 fixture

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So I'd be better off getting the Mars Aqua than this cheap t5 fixture

in the long run yea. its gonna run ya just under two bills though. look used or the other stuff we linked. the mars run 89 fro the sma 165 the small the 300 wont give ya great coverage and i think its 160

 

[cracker]

I'd like to ask a question , So if there is stray voltage in the tank.it may not be grounded and not shocking your fish. However if You walk up barefoot ,stick your hand in the water then it can ground and shock You and your fish Meaning a wood stand ,plastic frame, etc may not be a good ground. Is this correct? Thank's Chief !

 

[Chiefmaster30]

Ok thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ok thanks

yea I struggled for a while getting reef lights cheap for a 48in tank man.
hit the craigslist and the selling forum here too. Used is key generally.

 

[Amy Dawson]

I was reading the posts and have a question about the lighting. I have just the little led like square lights that came with my 50 gallon tank. My tank has a bar across the middle (just on the top where the lid sits) then it has two lids. I looked at the lights on eBay that you left a link to and my question is - would I need 2 sets of those lights for my tank?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I was reading the posts and have a question about the lighting. I have just the little led like square lights that came with my 50 gallon tank. My tank has a bar across the middle (just on the top where the lid sits) then it has two lids. I looked at the lights on eBay that you left a link to and my question is - would I need 2 sets of those lights for my tank?

Are you talking about the current orbit?
Yea you probably would want to. Different lights have different brightness for corals. Those to really do well for corals if you use two. On really is not strong enough to grow much. In my opinion
They are only about 3 in wide You can slide them back to open the Lid if they are in the way.
But a question is how deep is your tank. If it's not too deep it might be fine.
The newer version of those lights comes with lenses built in to them help focus the light and make it a little brighter.

 

[Amy Dawson]

The tank is about 24 inches deep. That's a lot to spend on lights for two sets its like almost 400 dollars. I have some coral and want to keep it healthy but that's a ton of money to spend