Current USA Aquapod retrofitting new lighting

[xsentrixsupra]

Hi guys!

I inherited one of these tanks, it's brand new(checked to make sure it wasn't 1 of the recall models) but I'm wondering about the lights. I'm not crazy about the florescent lights.

Most of my background is freshwater, but someone gave this to me for my office where space is limited. I did a search of this forum, as I know proper forum etiquette is to search before asking I found the Current USA Truelumen kit as an option, but it was from a few years ago and it appears they don't sell it anymore.

Is there anything else that isn't super expensive or hard to retrofit out there? Thanks!

 

[mcgyvr]

What are your plans for the tank? Corals? Fish only?,etc...
That will effect suggestions..

 

[xsentrixsupra]

What are your plans for the tank? Corals? Fish only?,etc...
That will effect suggestions..

I was originally planning corals/fish, but I spoke with my local fish store.. They said with something that small if I'm not going to be doing consistent water changes 1-2x/week I might want to stick to fish only.

I can probably do it 1x/week but don't think 2x/week is reasonably feasible with my schedule. It has sort of made me rethink doing corals & fish.

I guess I am probably going to start with fish only, but maybe the option of adding corals later would be a good thing.

 

[mcgyvr]

2x a week is likely not necessary at all..

However.. Taking care of corals in a small tank does require knowledge/skill as water chemistry is very important and such a small tank can make maintaining stable water parameters difficult..

With those "complete" systems there is often very little choice as far as changing/customizing if you want to keep the stock top to the tank..
Ditch that and your lighting choices increase..

For a fish only you really don't need light at all..

My suggestion is to just stick with what you have and use it as a good learning experience..

 

[luisgo]

I have a Current USA Aquapod 12 gallon in my office and I have corals and fish. I change 2 galon a month and its doing fine. I have a 70 watts metal halide SunPod.

 

[xsentrixsupra]

2x a week is likely not necessary at all..

However.. Taking care of corals in a small tank does require knowledge/skill as water chemistry is very important and such a small tank can make maintaining stable water parameters difficult..

With those "complete" systems there is often very little choice as far as changing/customizing if you want to keep the stock top to the tank..
Ditch that and your lighting choices increase..

For a fish only you really don't need light at all..

My suggestion is to just stick with what you have and use it as a good learning experience..

Thanks! It definitely will be a learning experience. I know what to look for as far as water chemistry and monitoring it since I do have a few freshwater aquariums. The learning curve will be on figuring out how much maintenance the saltwater tank takes! Hopefully it goes well

I have a Current USA Aquapod 12 gallon in my office and I have corals and fish. I change 2 galon a month and its doing fine. I have a 70 watts metal halide SunPod.

That looks great I might look into that!