Building a 16x16x16 Nano dedicated to RBTA help on equipment.

[kmu]

I just ordered a nice 16x16x16 starphire cube with an external overflow box that I want to do a species dedicated tank (want the center piece coral to be a BTA and a pair of clowns), I got a 16g sump for extra water volume, also have a 1/15 HP current usa chiller.

Now I need to decide on lighting and skimmer.

I would love to get an AI fixture but $600 is just too much on lighting for this tank... I also would like to get a 250 radium but I would be cooking everything inside such a small tank.

What do you guys suggest?

 

[greech]

Been looking at the evil66 Par38s LEDs and the Ecoxotic 36 LED retro module myself. There area a number of LED options that would out you at about 1/2 of the AI fixture (which are very nice BTW). AI also has a nano version coming out that is almost fully adjustable. Not sure on price though.

 

[kmu]

Yes Ive looked at the Evil66 par38 bulbs... maybe 2 of them would look nice.

For skimmers how about the Tunze Nano for $150 rated up to 52g or the Tunze 9006 for $250 rated up to 158g. Im afraid one of them is gonna be to small and the other too large.

Any other options for similar price?

THX

 

[evsalty]

I use a 250w Cayman Sun fixture over my 16x16x10 frag tank. You can not even feel the heat at the waters surface. The center of the bulb is 14.5" above the surface of the water. It is a DE so the glass may be helping. They do make it in a SE version as well.

 

[evsalty]

Yes Ive looked at the Evil66 par38 bulbs... maybe 2 of them would look nice.

For skimmers how about the Tunze Nano for $150 rated up to 52g or the Tunze 9006 for $250 rated up to 158g. Im afraid one of them is gonna be to small and the other too large.

Any other options for similar price?

THX

SWC-120 cone skimmer has a tiny footprint and the pump only uses 11w's so it is efficient as well. At $220 it might be the same as going with the 9006.

 

[drtrash]

Since you already ordered tank then I think you have to go LED, Tank would be too small and may get cooked my MH. AI has a new nano light that would be perfect for 16" cube or maybe panorama module. tank that size may not need a skimmer, just water changes.

 

[kmu]

SWC-120 cone skimmer has a tiny footprint and the pump only uses 11w's so it is efficient as well. At $220 it might be the same as going with the 9006.

Just saw the SWC 120 and 160, Would the 160 be too large?

 

[evsalty]

I am planning on using the 120 on a 40br w/20l sump. If you already think that the 9006 will be too much for such a small tank then I would think that the 160 would also be too much. You total system GROSS volumn is only going to be 34g's max.

 

[greech]

Duplicate post. sorry

 

[greech]

I am planning on using the 120 on a 40br w/20l sump. If you already think that the 9006 will be too much for such a small tank then I would think that the 160 would also be too much. You total system GROSS volumn is only going to be 34g's max.

I have the same tank and sump and am planning on a 120 as well. I think a 160 would be a bit much too for your tank and the Tunze would work out well. I spoke to Tunze at MACNA and he did recommend a 9006 for my tank but it just seems too small. I thought the 9006 was the "nano"?

 

[evsalty]

Nope there is a true nano doc skimmer that KMU mentioned above.


IMHO the 9006 and the swc-160 would be way over kill on such a small system KMU.