aquapod/nanocube question: pc or mh???

[stars&stripes]

I'm going to be getting a 24 gal nanocube or aquapod to start a nanoreef featuring a rose bta and a pair of ocellaris clowns as well as some soft corals. I am trying to decide between the standard 64 watt pc lighting or the 70 watt metal halide. Will I get a tremendous benefit from the 70 watt mh over the pc? the wattage is pretty close to the same, but I'm wondering if the higher intensity of the mh will make a big difference in keeping the anemone and corals healthy. The price difference is only $100. What would you guys do?

also any preferences between aquapod and nanocube?

thanks,

corey

 

[icenine2005]

You really would want the MH in order to keep the BTA... and really you should maybe think about the 150w version rather than the 70w, the pice difference is slight last time I looked.

 

[stars&stripes]

yeah, I've been looking at the 150 watt also. I was just worried about it being to hot to run w/out a chiller. Anyone have experience runninga 150 mh over a 24 gallon nano?

corey

 

[Tankenvy]

I would also go with the 150w MH. You'll never regret getting more light. As for cooling, that could be tricky. There are some small powerful fans available that may be worth looking into. Try nanotuners.com
Good luck!

 

[manse]

I abuddy of mine has a 70w MH over his 24g aquapod and he needs to run a chiller to keep it at 80 or below.

A lot of it has to do with room temp. too. Do you keep the room "frosty" with AC? You might be able to get away with it with no chiller.

You can also run a fan across the surface of the water. This will increase the rate of evaporation though...

 

[All Delight]

I have to run a chiller on mine 24 jbj with factory lights. My temp was getting into the mid 80's with ac keeping the room at 80.

I'd love to run halides on mine expect evaporation would be a problem. If you run halides you should also get a ATO to keep salinty stable.

 

[digitaledge]

I run the 150 Sunpod on my 24Ap I have a fan blowing across the top of the tank its a floor type fan that i can change the hight. My tank stays 80 or below a couple of time its got to like 82 when my apartment got super hot during the summer. The fan will keep the temps to where they should be without a chiller and keeping the top open. the only bad thing is evaporation about 1/2 gallon a day. The salt doesnt evap so topping off with RO the salinity should stay.

But next summer I may invest in a chiller

 

[stars&stripes]

Thanks everyone. I'm leaning toward the aquapod w/ 150w HQI. I found a place locally that will sell it to me for $334. They sell the nanocube 24 DX for $199. It seems to me that the sunpaq 150w is well worth $135 extra. Also I've seen several posts from people who removed their stock hood with the pc lights and added MH lighting and reported lower temps with the open top and MH lighting. The sunpaq 150 has a fan built in so hopefully it will keep things fairly cool. Thaknks again for the input.

corey