Lighting for soft corals/zoos?

[holyherbiness]

Hey, I am thinking of a soft coral system in my 10 AGA aquarium. Things such as zooanthids and other softies. I am debating which lighting system is sufficient for soft corals. I am not trying to spend a fortune on the lighting and was wondering if softies could be kept in a 40w fixture. Can you help me out?

 

1) Coralife Aqualight 20" 96W powerquad: 100ish dollars

2) Current USA orbit 20" 80W: 120ish dollars

3) Current USA satellite single 40W: 50ish dollars

4) Current USA satellite dual 40Wx2=80W: 100ish dollars

5) MH out of the question (too expensive)

 

I was wondering if choice 3 (40w total) would be sufficient in sustaining a healthy soft coral aquarium, as it is also the cheapest. Since it lacks a fan, would you recommend that I purchase the legs accessory for it?

 

also, which would you prefer, choice 1 or choice 4? How about choices 3 and 4 (seem roughly equivalent except for looks).

 

Thanks in advance

[mlaw]

4 watts per gallon will allow you to keep most soft corals. if you could buy the 96 watt light you could keep alot more

[holyherbiness]

Thanks for the speedy reply mlaw

any other opinions?

keep in mind, I don't expect myself to upgrade to sps or lps anytime soon.

[xien2000corp]

id say a 96 watt also. i had a 10 gallon with 96 watt quad over it and it came out pretty swell if i do say so

 

here's a link:

 

http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_album...=view_photo.php

 

-steve

[holyherbiness]

I've heard some bad things about the Aqualight 96W, such as the ballast is of poor quality, the fan is ineffective, and some others. However, since I have never seen the unit personally or used it, I cannot back up these assertions with evidence.

 

What about the Current USA choices?

[xien2000corp]

then dont get an aqualight

 

pfo makes an EXCELLENT ballast. you can use any 96 watt ballast to power a 96 watt quad bulb, you could even build your own which will save you money.

 

check out places like hellolights for ballasts and the parts that you need.

 

hth, steve

[holyherbiness]

Okay, my real question is:

 

Will I be able to support most soft corals with a 40W current usa satellite in a 10 gallon? Mainly interested in zoos, mushrooms, xenia, other easy to keep softies.

[kris_willard]

SHould be ok but the more light the better the corals look, I would go with choice 4 if it has 2 plug in that way you can create the dusk/dawn effect.

[holyherbiness]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...9&N=2004+113176

 

What if I get a double fixture of that (Two 36 watt=72) and replace one of the 6500k bulbs with an actinic blue supplement? If so, where can I find cheap aquarium bulbs?

 

Would the 36 watt PCS from ahsupply fit into this? I don't know what they mean by straight pin configuration