Looking for lighting advice...

[Jacwil]

So I'm going to break down the Biocube 14g that's in our bedroom and replace it with Ryans old Bowfront.

This will be my first attempt at SPS. I still need to find light for this. It's a neat looking tank and I want the fixture to be aesthetic as well or at least not detract from the tank being rimless. Ideas include a Viper, Sunpod, or maybe a NEP.

Would love suggestions!

Ooops...the dim's are 24x14x14...ish

Also the lighting I plan to hang.
Thx!

 

[pascal32]

IMHO at 14" deep T5s should be fine, and keep heat down. I've been running SPS on my 120 with no issues down about 14". after that I have problems. Good bulbs and individual reflectors are a must - I like the ATI Blue+ with a daylight bulb thrown in.

check out grim reefers thread.

 

[Capt_Cully]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1902529

 

[Jacwil]

yea I saw that Mark...ya think 70w would do the trick?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Really I think lighting is over rated compared to flow and stability, especially in a nano. I think 70 is plenty for that tank. And the price looked pretty good. Only problem is, with a single halide, you won't be able to supplement or tweak coloration as well as you would with a combo fixture or T5's. No dusk, dawn adjustability either.

Decisions decisions......

 

[Jacwil]

Exactly...lots of choices. Thx so far folks! I'm planning on putting the MP10 in there as well as the return from an mj1100 which should take care of flow. Stability is where I believe I will have the most issues.

 

[zooman72]

I like the Viper, although with 70W I am not sure it is enough - depends on what you are keeping I guess, and they come in a 150W variant too. I have always thought the Sunpods were just too "bulky-looking".

T5's would also work well and give more adjustability, but I think a NEP might be overkill and look too large - maybe a slim Nova Extreme, but they do not have moonlights, although there are simple ways to supplement them.

Lastly, have you considered LED's? I know that color is still an issue for many, but a couple of PAR 30's from RapidLED or PAR 38's from NanoCustoms or Ecoxotic would be mucho bright and, if you find the right fixture, not too obtrusive. Plus, they have much less heat than the MH's. I am planning to replace the Current PC fixture over my 3g Picotope with a PAR 30 when I find the right fixture - they screw right into standard incandescent fixtures.

Lots of choices....good luck!