Watts vs tank size?

[fchain]

I'm still pretty new to this hobby, so I am still learning as I go. I was wondering if there is a certain amount of watts of lighting you need to have per gallon to keep a healthy reef tank. What would be considered to much or to little.

 

[louie310]

That's an old thumb rule not really proven to work it all depends with what lighting you want to go with and how high how low you are are going to hang it and how much coverage you're gonna get

 

[jessesoto33]

3 Watts per gallon is ideal for most reef tanks, if it not deeper than 24" 4 watts if you want sps dominant, again if not deeper than 24"

 

[zoee314]

8-10 watts per gallon or more..

 

[solitude127]

I'm still pretty new to this hobby, so I am still learning as I go. I was wondering if there is a certain amount of watts of lighting you need to have per gallon to keep a healthy reef tank. What would be considered to much or to little.

Maybe you can give us some details of the tank so that we can recommend lighting. I honestly wouldn't go by watts/gallon anymore.

After calculating my watts/gallon, I'm at 2.88w/gallon on my 150g tank

 

[fchain]

I have a 29 gallon biocube with the stock 2 X 36 watt pc's. I mostly have softies.

 

[solitude127]

I have a 29 gallon biocube with the stock 2 X 36 watt pc's. I mostly have softies.

For softies, you'll be fine with that lighting

 

[zoee314]

PC bulbs definitely wont cut it..

 

[jesuses]

PC bulbs will probably work. Just try them out and if you see good color and decent growth then there is no reason to change. If you see that you need more lighting because corals are browning out or not growing, invest in some leds or good t5's. I would prefer leds on a small tank like that because they won't heat up your tank as much and will be cheaper electricity wise in the long run. When it comes to leds you'll have many options bulbs, cheap Chinese leds, nice high end fixtures, or even diy.

 

[lurking]

Watts per gallon is silly and I'm surprised people still recommend that. You can take 100 watts of T5ho, 100 watts of led, 100 watts of cf, 100 watts of metal halide and 100 watts of an incandescent light bulb etc etc etc and you will get a different amount of PAR/PUR and lumens per watt from one technology to the next.

If you are just doing softys you will be fine with your lighting. However like most new hobbyists, as you gain experience and knowledge, most likely you will want to branch out and try new things like Lps or even sps. It's nice to have a fixture that will grow with you. A good 4 lamp T5HO or LED system would be ideal.

 

[solitude127]

Watts per gallon is silly and I'm surprised people still recommend that. You can take 100 watts of T5ho, 100 watts of led, 100 watts of cf, 100 watts of metal halide and 100 watts of an incandescent light bulb etc etc etc and you will get a different amount of PAR/PUR and lumens per watt from one technology to the next.

If you are just doing softys you will be fine with your lighting. However like most new hobbyists, as you gain experience and knowledge, most likely you will want to branch out and try new things like Lps or even sps. It's nice to have a fixture that will grow with you. A good 4 lamp T5HO or LED system would be ideal.

Wow you sound like you know a little about lighting

 

[fchain]

Thanks fellas, very useful information. If I were to go with leds, what would you guys recommend for the size of my tank?

 

[jesuses]

What's your price range? And are you willing to diy? I don't have much experience with those tanks but if you have a price range in mind it would be easier to recommend something

 

[louie310]

You might be able to get away with a jbj unibody instead of DIY
DIY gives you alot of problems

 

[fchain]

I really don't have a price change in mind, just something not too pricey. If you guys can give me some suggestions, I'll check out what they go for, and go from there.

 

[zoee314]

PC bulbs will probably work. Just try them out and if you see good color and decent growth then there is no reason to change. If you see that you need more lighting because corals are browning out or not growing, invest in some leds or good t5's. I would prefer leds on a small tank like that because they won't heat up your tank as much and will be cheaper electricity wise in the long run. When it comes to leds you'll have many options bulbs, cheap Chinese leds, nice high end fixtures, or even diy.

Ive been doing this for awile..pc bulbs suck..i had 4x36w (3x 50/50, 1x 460nm) on a 24 gallon and it wasnt enough..thats about 144 watts (6 WATTS PER GALLON)..144+/- watts in led or mh would be great..

 

[sklywag]

Do I hear a buzzer sounds and flashing red lights?

 

[jesuses]

That jbj unibody looks great and packed with features. If you had the money I would look into this. You could also look at cheap beamwork fixtures like the one on "Bob's 7g zoa garden". I'm using beamworks to, its cheap and gets the job done but isn't dimmable so you have to play with height.

I think most people that use leds would agree that you won't need 144w of led. That would be overkill and bleach corals

 

[zoee314]

That jbj unibody looks great and packed with features. If you had the money I would look into this. You could also look at cheap beamwork fixtures like the one on "Bob's 7g zoa garden". I'm using beamworks to, its cheap and gets the job done but isn't dimmable so you have to play with height.

I think most people that use leds would agree that you won't need 144w of led. That would be overkill and bleach corals

i agree...thats what the +/- symbol means