Best lighting for new tank??

[kdwal]

Now that my new 30g tank has cycled I think I am ready to add some shrimp, hermits and what ever else you could suggest.

I have a 30g tank w/30 lbs. LR, with a sand and CC substrate. The tank came with the standard 20W, 24" aquarium flourecent. After researching a little and seeing the cost of some of the lighting options I was wondering what would be best.
I have seen there is a 70W(?) 50/50, would this be acceptable. The standard hood only has room for 1-flourecent and from what I have seen other options to replace the hood can get quite expensive. I do intend to keep the inverts and fish with my LR tank.

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[Macbeth417]

Kathy,

Why don't you give us an idea of what you would like to keep in your aquarium and that way we can give you some educated answer. The lighting you "need" is really dependent on the type charges you are trying to keep in the tank. From the sounds of it you are going FOWLR (fish only with live rock & some minor inverts) the main thing here is for use to gadge what portion of your charges will be photosynthetic and to what degree.

Let my/us know and then we can tackle this question properly.

-Erik

 

[kdwal]

Erik:

I guess that is also a question. (see, more questions)
From what I have read, I have to be careful with the "numbers" in my tank. I have read at least 1 peppermint shrimp and hermit per gallon......I'll have to go back to my book for the rest.
As far as fish, I know I can only have a few of the smaller variety, thinking hearty for the beginner, ie: dottybacks, gramma, clown.
What about inverts, any suggestions to start with?
I didn't think that the 20W bulb is suitable for much of anything after reading from different sources. I have seen different varieties of bulbs and was told by one hobbiest that I need more wattage on the light than the gallons. ( Does that make sense? I know what I am trying to say, but it is late and I should be in bed. ) I know I don't want anything in the tank at this moment that is too sensitive, I don't want to kill anything right off the bat.
Does this help you to help me?

thanks, Kathy

 

[NaH2O]

Hey Kathy, great questions! Are you planning on keeping any corals? The types of corals you envision in your tank will steer your lighting needs. Softie tank, LPS, SPS.... if you take a look in the ID Gallery, you will see some tanks in the People's Reefs section - also there is a thread floating around Full Tank Shots and Show me your tanks. You can get a good idea of inhabitants and see if anything catches your eye. For instance, if you see your tank full of mushrooms and zoanthids, then your lighting would be different than if you wanted to keep acropora down the road.

Also, I would also consider getting a variety of snails. Cerith, nerite, nassarius (for substraight), trochus, and astrea - would give you a nice group.

Hope that helps!

 

[wanareef]

Hi K

Congrats - you are on your way to a great addiction, err hobby.

If you are handy or have a boy friend/father/husband that is, then you can make a hood to enclose the top of the tank and to house more lights. Don't forget to leave the back open somewhat and maybe have a small computer fan or two as well.

PC's come to mind- althought I don't have them. Maybe 2x 96w's PC's or you can go the way or VHO's or even T-5's.

good luck