Lighting question for a 16gal

[lemec]

Guys, I'm making a 16x16x16 cube aquarium and want to keep a mix of corals in there...I have a chiller and fan planned into the works so heat isn't the issue, it is simply the MH I want to use...is 70 watts enough for a good variey or would a 150 20 or 14k be better?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

well those dimensions are almost 18 gallons, but after all rock and stuff you'll be a little under 16 i'd imagine..so close enough lol.

imo, that 70 watt would probably be good...there might be just a few corals that cant live w/it. I'm not sure if they do, but if they make a 100 watt one, that would be plenty i would think

and i dont believe that the light spectrum really matters, as long as its 10K or higher. But the higher rating just adds more blue i believe...so it will sure look nicer if you've got a 20k bulb as opposed to a 10K.

 

[lemec]

You guys think a 150 14k would be overkill? It's easier to find deals on those, lol.

 

[lemec]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8048882#post8048882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sir_dudeguy
well those dimensions are almost 18 gallons, but after all rock and stuff you'll be a little under 16 i'd imagine..so close enough lol.

imo, that 70 watt would probably be good...there might be just a few corals that cant live w/it. I'm not sure if they do, but if they make a 100 watt one, that would be plenty i would think

and i dont believe that the light spectrum really matters, as long as its 10K or higher. But the higher rating just adds more blue i believe...so it will sure look nicer if you've got a 20k bulb as opposed to a 10K.

The actual thickness is 1/4" acrylic so when you plug that into the external dimensions you get 16+ gals.....

 

[mister crabs]

150 watt 14k would be perfect i think. no need for actinicsupplementation due to the 14k spectrum. witht that setup u could keep clams if you wanted. just be sure rockwork has shady overhangs in case you need to move unhappy corals. If you are just planning softies like zoos and xenia and the such then even a 70w is overkill. but if you wanna go sps and clams then 150 is great.

 

[CiroFuentes22]

im running 70w on my 15g and i have no problems wit my zoos. they look beutiful. and also if your ging to do that it doesnt hurt to put some led lights for the moon light like this.

they sell them at pepboys, autozone, and advanced auto parts.