Getting New Compact Fluorescent or T5 Lighting Fixture

[xmikebrock]

so i wanted to get something a little bit brighter and nicer looking than my fluorescents in my tank now

which ones brighter?
better looking?
better on electricity?
anemone/corals?

my tank is 72 gallon
48"

if i were to get a fixture, does it have to be the full 48' or can i get something shorter/ will it make a difference?

it would be this fixture for the CF's
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2754542

or this one for the T5's

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=3060840



right now, i have a
porc
percula clown
zoo polyps

i am getting a snowflake moray this week


but i want the right lighting for anemones and such if i ever swit to the reef down the line

[Pufferpunk]

I can't tell you on electricity (although my guess is the T5s, because you'll use more bulbs). my vote is for T5s all the way for color. With T5s though, they must have individual reflectors or they're a waste. I don't see that on the ones you linked. For a 72g, I would suggest at least 4 bulbs, if you want to keep corals in there. Not sure a porc & anemone will be good together & you can't add an anemone until the tank has been stable for 6 mos -1 yr.

I don't think that tank is large enough for an adult porc, never mind a snowflake eel. Are you aware of their adult size & huge bioload?

[xmikebrock]

ok, so im not getting them for my 72 gal

but i am for my 20 gal...

its 24'' wide

16'' deep


what would i need wattage wise

i was thinking a double t5??

with reflectors of course

[xmikebrock]

what would u guys suggest, im still leaning toward the double t5 with reflector...

[Pufferpunk]

I love my T5s. Just be sure they have individual reflectors for each bulb.

[xmikebrock]

ok, but that should be enough lighting tho right

[Pufferpunk]

4 bulbs would be good. I have 6 over my 90g.

[xmikebrock]

4?
two wouldnt cut it?

[Pufferpunk]

Not if you want to keep corals.

[xmikebrock]

im not looking for corals yet...

for the smaller tank, i want minimum lighting for like a bubble tip anemone..

i honestly just got really confused.


i know the hobby isnt the cheapest, but i have 2 tanks setup; a 72 gal and a 22 gal..

if something happens to the gsp (a really peaceful gsp, lives with guppies and ghost shrimp) in the 22 gal, i would take the tank down and focus primarily on the 72.

so why should i put all this $ into the 22 gal, making it into a really nice reef (or more interesting, cuz it wouldnt rele be a reef lol) tank???





the price for a 4 bulb 24'' light fixtre was $220

but for the 48'' it was $320

and if some thing happens to the porc puff and snwflake i have in the 72 i would go all out and make that a reef tank..


so pufferpunk

now that im typing this i am not going to turn the 22 gal into a (what i wanted it to be) lol
thank you for your time.. you helped me out a lot believe it or not.

but do you think that makes sense.

because im going to be using the 72 gal when i move out too, im 17, so i should be putting more into that one?

do you know of any site that i can get fixtures for cheap?

[bastallard]

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10927/product.web
I bought this light for my 75g I think the price was real good

[Pufferpunk]

Please do not use PCs for an anemone. T5s or MH. Also, you need an established tank of are least 6-12 months, to keep one.
http://www.karensroseanemones.com

[xmikebrock]

i can use t5's for hard corals??

how many wats would i need, if my tank in 2 ft deep
and 48" wide

its the 72 gal bow front tank, sooooo confused? haha

[Pufferpunk]

I think you've seen pics of my tank? All I have on there are T5s. You can keep anything under T5s that you can keep under MH, as long as they have individual reflectors. Add as many as will fit above the tank.

[xmikebrock]

no, i havent seen your tank?

i just went to go click on your gallery and there were little question marks

if u feel like emailing that would be awesome haha

xmikebrock@gmail.com


how many do you have in there, with the individual refects?