Lights for 35G HEX Tank

[TCKelsey]

Would a 18 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x18 watt T5 HO 10K provide me with enough light to house any type of corals? Im looking to buy one used from a guy but Im not sure if its what I need. My tank is a 35 G Hex thats 23" tall, I have tall rock structure so would I be able to house corals with these lights?


Thanks for any input

 

[spw4949]

In a word, no, I would look at halides for a tank that deep, 2250W would be ideal if your looking to keep whatever you want....

 

[TCKelsey]

Well Im hoping to upgrade my tank sometime relatively soon so I dont want (or have) the money to currently buy MH. I thought these would be the best bet for my money to start off some soft corals or zoas, i read a few reviews that said that would be fine. I can mount my corals about 6" from the surface with my current aquascape. Am I off track?

 

[RobbyVonAwesome]

Check out aquatraders.com. They have a MH pendant that would be perfect for your 35 hex. It's a single 250w and I think it runs $99.

 

[Originalrocket]

These are a bit old but when I had my hex (around your tank size 30 gallons) I fabricated a lid and light system out of some acrylic and sunpod. Mine was only 150w but any softies and lps I had grew just fine. Never tried sps though as flow is a problem with hex's.

Check it:

 

[TCKelsey]

These are a bit old but when I had my hex (around your tank size 30 gallons) I fabricated a lid and light system out of some acrylic and sunpod. Mine was only 150w but any softies and lps I had grew just fine. Never tried sps though as flow is a problem with hex's.

Check it:

wow that looks really cool... what is a sunpod? is that the light fixture? Where can i find one? and how much did it cost you?

 

[Originalrocket]

well if you don't have a sunpod already its going to cost you $150 + for a used on. They are not sold anymore by current USA. The sheet of Acrylic is 1/4 inch. and I used weld on #4 to weld the sunpod legs to the top. To add extra support, i cut some 2 inch by 1/4th inch tabs to weld next to the legs. You can see one of them in the last picture.

To design the hex top just measure and draw an outline. I used a roto-zip to cut it all out. No free hand though use a piece of straight wood to give a clean straight cut. This picture should help>

 

[TCKelsey]

ahhh well thanks for the input, but for $150+ ill prolly just invest in a light fixture, thanks for taking the time to explain though

 

[Seeing Green]

Bah, if you are going to drop money on it, and may be upgrading later anyhow, buy some led's and make it a diy. It will support the growth you want, and should be modular enough should you want to take it apart and put it on something else.

 

[Imzadi]

What about one of those par38 LED thingies.... aren't they perfect for cubes and hexes?

 

[Koddie Doo]

Viper clamp light

 

[tecsavi]

I had the same lighting question on my 33 gallon hex and went with the sunpod 250w halide fixture with a Phoenix 14k bulb. One word, "AWESOME"! These hex tanks are so deep that you will need halide to get all the way to the bottom. They also have LED supplimental lighting built in for night viewing. I found several of these fixtures for sale used at very reasonable prices. You will probably need a 20" fixture for your size tank. Save yourself a lot of money in the long run and get the right light.

I can keep any coral I like in this tank and get great color on newly introduced frags that are on the bottom of the tank. The other advantage is these lights have a hanging kit or leg mounts so that you can go open top. This helps greatly with heat and gas exchange.

I can't say enough about this light/tank combo, it rocks!

 

[TCKelsey]

Thanks for the advise guys, I think im gonna keep my eyes open for a used MH light like most of you suggest

 

[reef211]

This is how i had my 250watt mh on my 35g hex. I got some pvc pipe from home depot and mount it on to the tank.

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<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/mikeaphan/35%20gallons%20Hex/Picture004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/mikeaphan/35%20gallons%20Hex/35gallonshex007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/mikeaphan/35%20gallons%20Hex/35gallonshex004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/mikeaphan/35%20gallons%20Hex/35gallonshex002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
</center>

 

[listen2bob]

when i had my 35 hex I used a 150 HQI and actinics and grew lots of sps lps and softies. you may start running into heat issues with a 250 IMO