Compact Fluorescent Advice

[Mr. Limpet]

I have a 135G Fish only tank with basic lighting. I would like to add some live rock just on one end. I will need to add additional lighting on that end.

First, do you see any issues with this approach?

Can you offer a good low cost source for a complete 24" - 36" or so CF system or a retrofit? I think I would prefer the complete assembly, but a retrofit might be workable.

What should I look for in a CF system?

My tank is somewhat deep at 24" so what particular CF bulbs should I look for?

I would like to run it off a timer, so it should self start. Is there a special ballast needed for this?

I've read that you need 3-5 Watts for each gallon. Since I'm only doing 1/2 of the tank or less, I would need about 240Watts normally. But I also read the CF lighing is much more intense per watt. So for example, if CF is twice as bright per watt, I would need only 120Watts of CF. What is the answer?

Any other advice?

[david]

cut&paste
http://www.marinedepot.com/a_lt_pc_csl.asp?CartId=

Custom SeaLife PowerCompact Fixtures and Retrofits
PowerCompacts are a unique single ended compact fluorescent that utilize the highest quality enriched rare earth phosphors to create a high output, energy efficient fluorescent light source. The bridge structure that joins two adjacent glass discharge tubes coupled with the shortened overall length achieve a light output that is 3.6 times that of standard fluorescent bulb.

CLPCR24265 23"x7.25"x2" 2 - 65W $159.95
CLPCR36296 35"x7.25x2" 2 - 96W $321.95
CLPCR36496 35"x12.2"x2" 4 - 96W $429.95

CLPCA24265 24"x9"x4" 2 - 65W $269.95
CLPCA36296 36.5"x8"x5" 2 - 96W $339.95
CLPCA36496 36.5"x12."x4" 4 - 96W $508.95

SmartLite Fixtures come with the worlds first true 10,000K Premium Daylight and Ultra Actinic lamps side by side. The Premium Daylight tube duplicates the natural full spectrum lighting requirements of fish and invertebrates whilte the Ultra Actinic tube peaks at 460 nanometers, providing necessary energy for activation of phoptosynthesis in chloropyll A and C.


This is where I would start.
I liked the CSL 65wt smartlight Fixtures alot.
2-65wt's would be enough for liverock, and great color for all.

dave

[BigFish]

If your not adding coral and your just adding lr you dont need new lighting lr will be ok with no additional lighting. However if you are adding coral I would add good lighting. Another question to ask yourself is if you think you might decide to turn this into a full blown reef someday. if the answer is yes I would go with 1 mh 400 watt ballast for now, it is not enough to light the whole tank but it will light a 2 foot area a 250 watt would probably be ok too then if you do go all out reef you can just add 2 more mh ballasts.

[fishfreek]

Yes I have to wonder why you think you need more lighting on the end you add the LR to.

If you want to go CF then I would suggest doing the entire tank that way as you might not be happy with 1/2 of the tank being bright and the other half of the tank at a much dimmer level.

For a tank that is 24" deep I would recommend multiple 96W 36" CF bulbs. Maybe 2 10K bulbs and an actinic bulb to go with it. If you go all across the tank then double that.

If your willing ot build a caonpy then look at www.ahsupply.com for ballast and reflectors.

[corrado170]

Here is what I would use:

http://www.reeflounge.com/auction/item.php?id=4fe6c280ca6b6a1d5330a4beca4d0e1f


-ACAquatics

[fishfreek]

Here is what I would use:

http://www.reeflounge.com/auction/item.php?id=4fe6c280ca6b6a1d5330a4beca4d0e1f


-ACAquatics

In my view you would need at least 4 of these units to get decent light over the entire tank.

[corrado170]

It all depends on the width of the tank. Do you think that he could use two of these?

http://www.reeflounge.com/auction/item.php?id=65b4dfafb1de880f9f4c3a33ab2855fb&PHPAUCTIONPROPLUS_SESSION=4d6cf77fcaeb57cb2b057122 c3bd80fd

-ACAquatics