Light fixture for coral QT

[cordell]

I'm thinking that I might want to start QTing purchased corals at least a few days before putting them into my DT. I see many people recommend this, although I realize it isn't a requirement.

Actually, what has gotten me wanting to start a coral QT tank is that something is eating my zoas. It seems like it is some amphipods eating them, but people swear pods won't eat the zoas (and I don't doubt them), so I want to put them into a QT where there are no pods (after a coralRx dip) and see how they do without the pods running all over them.

So, I actually have a fish QT setup, so I know the basics. BUT.. I need some help on choosing a somewhat cheap light fixture for that coral QT. I really don't want anything fancy, just something that will temporarily satisfy some zoas and possibly other softies and LPS for a few days.

Would this be possible for under/around $50, or is that wishful thinking? I'm definitely not thinking about getting LEDs because of the high price and infrequent use.

All of the threads I found were for full-time operation nano-tanks, which isn't exactly what I'm doing.

TL;DR: I need a good light fixture for a possible future coral QT tank (10gal). Nothing fancy (no LEDs).. for zoas, mushrooms, other softies and LPS.

Thanks for any suggestions! :fun4:

 

[cloak]

In a 10 gallon tank, I think a 15 watt NO flourescent bulb would be fine. (24") Check this out.

http://www.petco.com/product/7394/A...ck.aspx?CoreCat=MM_FishSupplies_HoodsLighting

Here's another one that would work.

http://www.hellolights.com/25wmacro-gloadjustablerefugiumlight-jbj.aspx

 

[cloak]

Woops...

 

[cordell]

Thanks, cloak. Would the lower k value of the bulbs that come with those fixtures be a problem with creating a bunch of algae in the QT? I suppose it wouldn't matter since it wouldn't be on most of the time.

While I was looking at that fixture from hellolights, I saw they had one on sale for $35 and it comes with 10k and actinic bulb. What do you think?
http://www.hellolights.com/coralifeminit5aqualight.aspx

 

[cloak]

I wouldn't sweat the algae growth. You don't want to keep these corals in QT any longer than they have to be really. I don't think your planning on using any medication in the tank, so you could always add a couple turbo snails for good measure.

I think that Coralife fixture might work, but I don't know how much light you'll recieve with only one 6 watt 10K bulb. The actinic is not going to do a whole lot. All it's really going to do is balance out the color IMO. The tank will definitely look better with these bulbs as opposed to the bulbs on those other fixtures, but aesthetics is not what you should be going for. All you really need is enough light for corals to survive short periods of time, not thrive. I'm not sure if the Coralife fixture would be up to par. JMO, HTH.

Edit: I didn't even think to replace the actinic bulb with another 10K. Now it's a different story. This fixture might work out pretty well.

 

[hajas]

I have the same issue. So the Coralife fixture would work with two 10k bulbs? Thanks.

 

[hajas]

Bump

 

[cordell]

I was just about to order that Coralife T5 fixture, but before I did, I searched for the reviews on the unit and found mostly bad reviews. It seems as though there is a problem with the ballasts or something else because the units stop working within the first week, as reported by several reviewers. So I think I'll look at the other units...

I'm still deciding if I'm going to setup a coral QT, so I haven't made a move yet. I'll be out of town for a week starting at the middle of the upcoming week, so this project is put on hold until I return.