Nano lighting

[OcellarisClown]

I'm planning a 10g nano reef.

I want to be able to grow corals. Not just keep them alive, but let them thrive. Except I'm not sure how much light to get.

I would like
Zoas, Palys, shrooms, GSP, xenia and possibly candy cane coral.

Would 2x24w T5 be enough?
Would the grow ok in a tank with that lighting? Maybe not explosive but would they grow?

Or should I upgrade to 4x24w?

 

[Dustint21]

A 10G tank is only 20'' long. Do you plan do build one or did you find one that is 24'' long? The 24W T5's are 24'' long. Current make a nice 20'' T5 fixture. If you only want to keep softies it may be overkill. You caould keep GROW anything with this light IMO!
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...~idProduct~CU01083~idCategory~FILTFIT5T5.html

 

[nanojg]

make sure and get single bulb reflectors for the t5's, not sure what you will need for a 10 gallon though. The 20" NEP would work, but maybe a 70 watt mh would be better. I prefer t5's but with a 20" tank there are not too many t5 fixtures (1) or bulb choices.

 

[OcellarisClown]

No, it would be a 24" fixture. No 20" that can be shipped to Canada.

I think I can bend the legs backwards and it would fit. If not I'll glue a piece of acrylic to each edge. It will be slightly to large for the tank though regardless of what I do. I don't mind though, as long as the light is there.

 

[Dustint21]

Then I would prolly choose a 70W MH. JMO

 

[OcellarisClown]

Is that a pendant?

Do you have a link, I can't seem to find them.

 

[Blitzburggirl]

70W MH are hard to find now. Current made a Sunpod that was 16" and 70W. I am glad I got one, I love it on my 12 gallon!! If you can pick one up, you'll be very satisfied with it I'm sure

 

[nanojg]

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ting-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

 

[ihooklow]

You can always upgrade to a 15G tank (24x12x12) to use standard 24" fixtures. No so much bigger that the same equipment won't work and I like the deeper front to back dimension for aquascaping anyway.

Just a thought.

 

[Trueno22]

ON my 10 gallon I am going to be setting up in a few days I purchased a 70 watt viper clamp on halide. It is super bright and plan on using it as a frag tank.

 

[redfishsc]

I overkilled my 10g with a 4X24 light... but then again I can put any light-hungry coral in it that I want.


You can easily EASILY grow SPS in a 10g with two T5 tubes, IF you do two things:

1) Get PARABOLIC reflectors--- Icecap or TEK tend to be the most recommended.
2) Use HIGH QUALITY bulbs---- I recommend you use either one ATI Aquablue special and one ATI Blue+, or one ATI Aquablue Special with a KZ Fiji Purple. All of those bulbs put out a TON of PAR. The first combo will be more bluish, the second combo would be bluish with a lot of red overtones, due to the Fiji Purple's blue/red mix.