Lighting Recommendation

[nakazoru]

I am changing FOWLR to LPS.

I have a NO balast with 2 NO FL tube. In the progress of converting to E-balast and T5 HO. My tank is 30G 1.5 ft deep. My hood can only accomodate 2 FL tube.

Any recommendation on the brand of E-balast and what combination of T5 HO tube should I buy (2 only)?

[koniyakutz]

An Elbiru T5 eBallast and a pair of Aquaz 10K T5 tubes is what I would get.

[Kelmen]

1 actinic blue, 1 white (6,500 or 10,000 K). Each with own timer.

treat the actinic blue like dawn and dusk lightining. Nice

[Lester]

hmmm go for 150w mh..

[nakazoru]

Sorry, I will not be going for MH because of

1. This 30G Tank is a enclosed and very near the water surface thus too hot.

2. MH means I need a chiller thus cost increases. Damage will be > 500SGD

3. No space for additional chiller as I do not have a cabinet.

Elbiru T5 eBallast and a pair of Aquaz 10K T5 tubes seems like a econmical way to go. 1 actinic blue, 1 white (6,500 or 10,000 K) with own timer seems too much of a hassle. I'm including 1 timer only. I do like the combination.

1 actinic blue and 1 white combo seems to create a romantic feel to the tank. I do like it. 2 x 10,000K seems to intense white. But end of the day, which will LPS strive in?

Is there special requirement for starter?

Equipment:

1. 30G Corner Tank

2. 2 x 2 ft NO FL

3. 3" Grade 0 sand

4. Live rocks.

5. Jebao 3 Tier Canister Filter (Resin, Activated Carbon, Bio-home)

6. 1200L/hr power filter to act as power head.

Live Stock:

1. Clarke Clown x 1

2. 4 stripe Demsel x 1

3. Yellow Tail Demsel x 1

Dead: 1 of each above and 2 domino demsel as I in China for 1 year, wife overfed them causing water to cloud. Came back now, heart ach...

[Kelmen]

Do reconside the "benefit" of having separate timer for the actinic and white.

Imagine you can watch your tank with blue only, you can see some very nice fluorescent color of some livestocks (some fishs too).

This special scene only possible with only proper blue light on.

And I even noticed whenever the white light suddenly go on and off, fishs do react suddenly to the change too.

So, the "dawn and dusk" may help soften up the impact, expecially light loving corals. Keypoint - reduced stress.

It worth for the hassle, just an additonal $ for the timer.

[nakazoru]

Agreed with you on the effect. 2 timer which I already have. Problem is that the timer is bulky. i will seriously think about it and forget the hassle. Everything I DIY as Hood is customed-made. Worst I going China next week....

Next, these are the stuff I want, any problem with light I convert to?

1. Lavender Mushroom

2. Colony Polyp

3. Candy Cane Coral

4. Bulk Anemone

5. Cabbage Leather Coral

[southpaw23]

Ever considered going for two 55watt PLs instead? Two tubes would put out 110watts of light for your tank which should be sufficient to keep almost any LPS and softies....

just a thought...

[nakazoru]

Seems like a good idea. As I see HO is only 24W each, which worry me if it will not be enough.

But I hardly see this PLs in any LFS. Anywhere I can get to see this equipment? Also hood is not solid wood but PVCs so a little filmsy, need to tink properly before design.