nvdiz

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum. My family just bought a salt water aquarium used in very good condition, and ever since we started I got hooked with all the information. I'm still learning a lot of stuff so give me a break if I am wrong with anything.

Background information:

For now, we have a 75 gallon tank still cycling with some live rock (about 20-30lbs, and yes more is coming). We want this tank to be a reef tank. We had the water tested and the local aquarium store said all looks good minus the nitrate/nitrite levels. About two more weeks. salinity and temp seem to be alright.

Anyways... My question, is this sufficient lighting for a reef tank?

Pix:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...z/IMG00058.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../IMG000566.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...z/DSCN0484.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...z/DSCN0485.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...z/DSCN0486.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...z/DSCN0488.jpg (worst pic)

nvdiz

46 inch fluorescent twin tube aquarium reflector

120 v
80 watt

sgould

As a general statement...no. For most coral you are going to need quite a bit more light. There are some low light specimens out there, but the list is going to be VERY small with what you have there. I would suggest upgrading to T-5 lighting or better if you want to have a reef setup.

cerianthus

Although better lightings are available, we used to achieve successful reef tank using what you have, at least with 4 bulbs. Once rock work is done, change the bulbs. I am sure these are still available. 1 x 40W Coralife Act 03 and 1 x 40W coralife 10K or 20K bulbs. Place these lights right above softies, LPS (trachyphyllia, Euphyllia, cynarina, scolymia, wellsophyllia, etc), non photosynthetic corals (can be anywhere where good flow of water, needs feeding. Better adding once tank is more matured) . Try few on top of the rock right under the lighting.
Of course, better lighting is recommended if and when possible. It can be done toward the top near the light with most lps. You will see more extension and color changes as better lighting are provided.

Whatever you decide, try looking into type of corals you want along with tridacna clams then decided on lighting. This way you wont waste your money and more importantly will have healthier environment for corals.

nvdiz

Hey thanks for the help by the way. I've decided to upgrade my lighting.

Would a Nova Extreme T5 216W fixture be sufficient enough for most corals? Or should I just follow the 4-8 watts per gallon rule?

Also, this is a side question and I'm sorry if it shouldn't be asked here but: my tank has been cycling for just about 4 weeks. My water parameters are all testing perfect with the exception of nitrate. My nitrate levels are around 60-80 PPM last time I checked and is weekly water changes of 15% gonna lower that enough to 0 sometime soon?

au01st

I have the Nova Extreme T5 fixture (not the Pro) and it's sufficient. The watts/gallon rule is old school for old technology. T5 are very efficient and for tanks under 24" deep provide plenty of light even at the sand bed. I have a clam about 2" off the sand bed in my tank (also a 75) as well as LPS on the rocks across from the clam, and SPS about midway up the tank.

The only thing you will want to upgrade is the bulbs. When I went from the factory bulbs to ATI and UVL bulbs in that fixture the difference was incredible and the amount of PAR (light corals use) went up.

nvdiz

Thanks! I wish I got that a little sooner though cause I went up a little higher with the fixture.

WETTRIGGER

I like a 48" VHO florecent double strip lite..about 220 watts.
I would also check your tap water for Nitrates...sometimes doing water changes makes no difference when you find out your tap water has high Nitrates! Just a thought.