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Question: Looking for good basic lighting for my marine tank?

(Posted by: Shy on 2010-03-04 19:48:37)

I have a 45 gallon marine tank, im not really interested in putting alot of different corals in my tank at this time, just basic stuff like mushrooms i want to ask whats the best lighting as in watts for my tank to keep just basic corals im interested in the t5 lighting and i also have clown fish in my tank so if anyone can answer that would be great

Posted by: Frank M on 2010-03-05, 04:00:24

Mushrooms are low light corals but you will need at least 150 watts of power compacts for them , if you are looking at T-5s you will need at least a 2 bulb unit and then would have to keep the shrooms high up on the rocks. If you got a 4 bulb T-5 unit you could keep almost anything. The old outdated watts per gallon rule was made extinct by T-5s they penetrate the depth of the water much better so you can use much less watts than the old rule of them called for.

Posted by: valid-answer on 2010-03-06, 16:59:25

45 gallon tank is less important than how tall is the tank and how far above the water do you plan to have the lights? I would not buy lights under the pretense that you will only keep mushrooms since everyone says that, then they buy PC or T5 lights, get some mushrooms for a short while and decide to upgrade to keeping LPS/ SPS corals so save yourself the trouble and go straight to lighting that can support LPS/ SPS corals. You should think about LEDs vs. T5 or Metal Halides because LEDs require no bulb replacement for 10 years, use less electricity, and generate very little heat. Depending on the dimensions of your tank, you can probably get LEDs for approximately the same cost as a T5 or MH fixture (maybe a little more expensive) but the savings on bulb replacement and electric bills will more than make up for the up front cost difference.