Enough Lighting

[eperez25]

I have a 26g bow tank with a 130 watt PC fixture (1 65W 10K and 1 65W Actinic.) I have talked to a few folks that grow zoos with no issues in this lighting, but wanted some confirmation.

 

[surfnvb7]

its enough, but its not great. i would expect the zoas to *reach* for the light, with long stalks/skirts

 

[coralfarm123]

You will have enough light. Just make sure the lights don't overheat the tank.

 

[surfnvb7]

you may find the following pics helpful

i had a 130w PC light on a 20g-high

this is at 10 months total (so 5 months under PC, 5 months under MH)

like i said, its enough to keep them alive, and look "ok", but not enough light to get them to color up to their "full" potential. :smokin:

hope that helps

 

[eperez25]

That is a huge difference. I am really interested in keeping them, but with those results, I may end up holding off. I just don't have the $400.00 to fork over for MH lighting right now. I may go with some LPS and easy softies for now. My Xenia and shrooms seems to be growing fine so far, but it seems that zoos will not.

Thanks for pics and the suggestions, they were very enlightening.

 

[surfnvb7]

well, if all you are planning on keeping is softies and LPS. i'd suggest a MH retro kit.

this system comes with your choice of XM bulb for only $20 more.

deals dont get any better than this (i've ordered 3 of them so far for various tanks)

http://www.hellolights.com/arocu17rekit.html

 

[eperez25]

How would I even install these? I don't have a canopy because it is a 26g bow with a Coralife PC fixture sitting on top of the tank.

Do you have a link to some instructions and pics on how I would fit these with my tank setup?

 

[zoolover]

My two cents

My two cents

I just wanted to add that I have a 20G Long, with a Coralife 150W HQI setup, and all of my zoas absolutely love it. I've got either an XM or Ushio 20K bulb in there right now (can't remember which brand), and I used to have PC lights on top of this tank, and the coloration is so much better under the MH. All of my zoas looked decent under the PC's, but since I've put the MH in, everything has just blossomed. More color, better growth, really overall it's just worked out much better for me. I bought it used from a RC member for $150 used, so if MH is something you're interested in, I'd check it out. Hope that helps a little if any.

 

[surfnvb7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7678740#post7678740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eperez25
How would I even install these? I don't have a canopy because it is a 26g bow with a Coralife PC fixture sitting on top of the tank.

Do you have a link to some instructions and pics on how I would fit these with my tank setup?

just get some wood and make something cheap. all it needs to do is sit on the edges of the tank. this was one of those exact 175w retros installed onto a 15g tank, kinda overkill for that size tank, but the canopy cost me about $15 for the wood and screws. All you need is a hand saw, a drill, and some screws. Paint or stain as you wish.
i have since added some mesh screening to the open sides and back, so the fish arent tempted to jump out. the mesh still allows plenty of air exchange over the top of the tank.