I'm back in the hobby again!

C

CoppyCat

New member
Hello COMAS,
I used to be a part of the club and forums under the name of Brandino007 or something like that...after 3 years since having a saltwater tank I spent the night at the Oklahoma Aquarium and the craving started....so I went out and bought this
581967_3102744501648_2031002650_n.jpg

It is a 20L tank that I plan on slowly setting up on my college kid budget. Looking on advice for a proper light that is 30" long for this rig. I plan on having soft corals and LPS for now..


Also here is a look at what hobby I picked up since I had no SW Tank
3652_3056737351498_974964551_n.jpg


Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome back! I have a 20 long I converted into an AIO and I have a Par38 Led bulb over it. With 2 you would be set. We also have a couple of diy LED gurus here in the club who could help you if you decided to go in that direction. I really like LEDs because they are low heat, low energy and you only have to replace them like every 5 years. Easy on the pocket book. They do require more money up front if you buy a fixture and in most cases if you build too. Thats why I like the par38 bulbs. They screw into a regular light fixture and they only cost around $80. They really only cover a 12in x 12in area well though so you would probably need 2. I have also found that they need to be much farther away from your tank than you would think. I bleached quite a few corals before I found this out. Also I dont think Par meters really convey the light intensity of LED. Mine showed about 100par at the top of the rocks but I was still frying my coral. OOO and it gives that shimmery look like halides do
 
I'm really liking the Par38 from all I've seen people grow softies, lps, and even sps with no problem just gotta work put a way to hang them over my tank.
 
CoppyCat said:
I'm really liking the Par38 from all I've seen people grow softies, lps, and even sps with no problem just gotta work put a way to hang them over my tank.
Click to expand...

I just went to lowes and bought a hanging lamp kit and picked out a shade. Im going to get another bulb eventually and build my own low profile shade to go around them. it will just appear to be a hovering white rectangle from the outside
 
lauremf2002 said:
I just went to lowes and bought a hanging lamp kit and picked out a shade. Im going to get another bulb eventually and build my own low profile shade to go around them. it will just appear to be a hovering white rectangle from the outside
Click to expand...
I don't think the landlord would approve of me hanging them from the ceiling XD
Are there any corals you feel as though you can not grow? How about clams?
 
Last edited:
its really bright and can bleach corals if its too close to the tank but other than that everything has done okay. And this is a light kit that plugs into an ac plug. you just put some hooks in the ceiling to hang the cord. Oh and I havent tried to grow any clams but I dont see why you couldnt. I have trouble with Zoas but thats just me. I always have. Im starting to think there is some critter in my rocks that bugs them
 
Sounds good. I've got a few ideas going around my head and will be asking my grandpa for some ideas because I normally am not good with building/putting stuff together XD the stand was a pain and I even had step by step instructions.
 
I just seen a few tanks online that have that Kessil a150 and I'd LOVE to have those but not for $265 especially since I'd need 2...
 
A few updates of things coming along slowly but surly. I got a marineland LED light for less than half price from a friend who had just bought it so I'll start with it
empty
558158_3108543966631_1521367268_n.jpg

blue led only
488121_3108545086659_1038607254_n.jpg


with water
539064_3152364062106_1551213699_n.jpg

I'll probably still get at least one of those par38 bulbs and if all goes well with this tank I may end up setting up a Mantis Shrimp tank in the future since I have always wanted one of those and use this marineland fixture for that tank.
Rocks and sand will probably be purchased in the next few weeks...got to take it slow with all my college kid money XD
 
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