Upgrading [Archive] - Saltwater Aquariums - Reef Tanks Online Discussion

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stricklersports

02-09-2003, 03:23 PM

Hi...need a few questions answered. I live near the Aquarium Center here in Randallstown, MD but would like to read other suggestions here.

I have a 55 gal. reef going about 8 years now using 2-40 w. fluorescents setup for the entire time (a Day-Glo and Marine-Glo). Just use a Berlin Skimmer, wavemaker and about 40lbs of live rock (most I cultured myself). Have had great success with leathers, mushrooms, and fans. Nice and varied pink-purple coralline algae growth. A breeding pair of Tomato Clownfish since I started the tank.

Now...I want to move on a bit. I'd like to provide a bubble-tipped anenome and a few other corals that will require (I think) more light.

Any suggestions what I should upgrade to? Potential problems raising the wattage? Other suggestions? Thanks

ssgibby

02-09-2003, 08:27 PM

Do you know what kind of lighting you want to go with? PC's, VHO's, MH's? I can really see any downside, you will just want to slowly increase the light. Do you plan on keeping clams or SPS

anemoneman

02-09-2003, 08:55 PM

If you decide on a bubble tip, PLEASE be sure to get a tank propogated one. These are the only anemones (that I know of) that can be tank raised. All others will have been taken from the ocean, an awful practice that I would like to see stop.

RazerCorals

02-09-2003, 10:37 PM

Chances are you will need MH because of the depth. Otherwise I'd go with PC because there are some really good deals out there.

stricklersports

02-09-2003, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the responses. Still debating what to use, but I like the results of MH from what I have seen...possibly at lower wattage if possible.

Pineapple House

02-10-2003, 01:06 AM

You could very easily go with 2, 250wt Radiums if you wanted great lighting. You could also go with 2, 175wt 6,500k along with 2, 110wt VHO "03". There's many posibilities out there. What exactly are you looking for? If you wanted the best of the best, you could posibly go with 2, 400wt 20k radiums 8)

PH =)

stricklersports

02-10-2003, 05:17 PM

Just ordered a 48" 4x65W Coralife Aqualight PC hood, 2x Actinic and 2x 10,000K. That should do the trick. Think the MH are a bit too much for my livestock right now. Will ease this setup in also.