CF 50/50 and Moon Lighting Questions

DarkStar

Yeah, i have a few questions about my SW aquarium lighting. I just started this 10gal nano tank 2 weeks ago and have been adding alittle here and there to upgrade to a more quality setup so i can start my nano reef. Today i replaced the 2 stock 15w indesent bulbs for 2 10w 50/50 10k/actinc compact flouresent bulbs and then i added some moon lighting DIY style with 4 blue LED's and i think it looks nice. Now my question is does it look like my lighting is suffiecent for a 10gal reef nano tank? If so what kind of lighting time cycle should i use for both day and night? should i do 50/50 between 7am-8pm and moon light between 8pm-7am? Here's some pictures of my tank in both conditions.

Daylight: http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...2/IMG_1787.jpg

Moonlight: http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...2/IMG_1786.jpg

unclejed

Hello and welcome! The common theory about length of time lights are on is 10-12 for daylight and the rest for moon lighting. I hate to say it but from your pic your moon lights are in reality like full actinic. I don't know if this will pose a problem or not. I think you have too much (too many) moon lights. There are 2 built in LEDs in the hood of my 14 gal. Biocube and it resembles the faint moon light. With 4 you are mimicking a full actinic look.
I would suggest going to 2 moon lights and run the 50/50 lights for 8-9 hours and the rest of the time moon lights and see how the algae issue pans out. I had to cut down on my time to keep algae out. Have fun with your new adventure!

Nereaga

Hey DarkStar,

The blue actinic bulbs are meant to simulate dusk/dawn. Turn them on 1 hr before AND after the daytime lights. After they are off, then run the LED's for moonlights....

HTH,

Brad

unclejed

Hey Nereaga, he can't run just the actinic, he states he has 50/50 so they both are running off the same ballast.

DarkStar

Hey unclejed thanks for the info, my moon lighting was to bright so i removed 2 of the LED's and it looks alot better,ill post pics tommarow and let me know what you think. Also for the record so everybody understands what i have as far as lighting, i am running 2- Coral Life 10watt Mini Compact Fluorescent 50/50 bulbs, on the box it says 50% 10,000k daylite/50% Actinic 03 blue. Now i read a book that says that for a mini reef you need at least 3-5watts per gallon, since i have 2 10watt bulbs can i count that as 20 total watts, if so im still 10w shy for my 10gal nano so i found higher wattage bulbs of the same kind, there 20 watts per bulb,that would give me a total of 40watts right? do you think that would be enough to start my nano reef and support good healthy coral? Here's the link to the 20watt bulbs, i have the same exact brand and type just mine are 10watt that i got from petco. Now if anybody knows any better type's of bulbs i could use with my stock hood please let me know. Im also thinking of upgrading my hood to this.

20 watt https://www82.safesecureweb.com/weba...egory_Code=BPC

Other fixture
http://www.marineandreef.com/Satelli...p/rcu01002.htm

unclejed

Yes, the fixture with the 40 watts is "better" and it is a great sale price I might add. I am looking foward to your pics.

Dr.Fragenstein

Watts per gallon is a rule of thumb that will never go away but always lead people in the wrong direction. I mean for example on my 75, I have 6 CF 65watt bulbs that equals 5.2 WPG if I bit the bullet and put a GOOD T5 of MH fixture on their I wouldn't need nearly as much WPG. But to answer Your question, the amount of lighting is going to be determined but what corals if any you want to keep.

DarkStar

Hey, thanks guys for the help, ive decided to upgrade to that 40watt PC hood, ill probably get it next week, and here's some pics of my tank i got more LR only this time i got the Fiji kind instead of the florida cultured LR. The Fiji LR seems to have much more things growing on it, so far ive only seen a brissel worm but there's 2 tubes that i think are feather dusters but they havent come out yet and a couple of spots look like some type of hard corel and maybe a little spong but not really sure i guess ill have to wait and i also got some tufa rock, i still need to get much more rock for makeing my reef wall. Also youll see the pic with my toned down moon lighting. Let me know what you guys think and any suggestions would be appreciated.


Moon Lighting:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...2/IMG_2560.jpg

More LR and Tufa: http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...2/IMG_2562.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...2/IMG_2571.jpg
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...2/IMG_2570.jpg

unclejed

Lookig good! Moon light is much better. How big are those Hermits!