Newbie and Zoas

[montecarlo97]

My wife has decided to start a zoa tank. The tank we have is a 30gal(36x13x16) that has been setting idle for about 6 months.
The light I have now is a Coralife dual 96w PC, I was wandering if this light would be better for the Zoas?
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=409
Or would it be overkill.
Thanks

 

[flyyyguy]

Wouldnt be overkill. It would be leagues above the PC and you could do anything you wanted with the tank....including keeping zoas happier

 

[Python73]

SIX HUNDRED THIRTY WATTS?!?! On a 30g? Good lord why. Oh wait... were you looking to boil the water? Or maybe heat your house?

Seriously, that is way too much light for a 30g, regardless of what you put in the tank.

S !

 

[Lytehouse]

There you have it, the best of this hobby. Two guys with lots of experience with differing opinions. I think they both have something valid to say, however.

The PC light will do fine on your tank but not provide the color you are looking for on your zoas, so the new light is a huge advance, as flyyyguy said, and would let you mix in anything else you want.

The flip side, as I believe Python 73 is getting at, is you may add a lot of heat to the water. For the benefit of lots of quality, you may pay with heat depending on how you mount the light over the tank.

Either way, best of luck with your tank and zoa's.

 

[Skeptic_07]

I noticed the width of your tank is less than the width of that light. Looks like your tank is 13" wide and the fixture is 15", depending on how it mounts, it may not fit. I made that mistake once and had to return a $450 fixture!

 

[montecarlo97]

What I was looking for was a dual 150MH hood with the actinic highlights. They have one with a single 250 but I was afraid it wouldn't be enough coverage from side to side.
The tank has a full glass top and the light would be either on "legs" that attach it to the sides or I could suspend it over the tank.
If I did suspend it what would be a good height? As you can probably tell I am completely new to MH lighting.

Thanks for the help

 

[montecarlo97]

Sorry, double tap

 

[650-IS350]

Please search RC here in regards to aquatraders and they're products. Make a decision for your self after that.

 

[Skeptic_07]

since you can suspend it that would relieve any issues with size. Suspending it can also help with heat issue because you can raise or lower it.

 

[flyyyguy]

I will now admit that I didnt read all that closely. It was late. Upgrading from PC 's is always a good thing......but


I gave a poor answer and now that I read the details a little better I agree with python more than my answer last night.

Your tank is only 16" deep. You surely dont need 250's. But that being said, good coverage over that tank with any halides is tough. its either over or underkill whichever way you go whether it be 1 or two bulbs. It might make a whole lot more sense to look into some T -5's if you are going to upgrade the lgihting on that tank.

Another thought......is do you really want to dump all this money into a tank that small?? Im not knocking small tanks.......just saying that is a lot of money and for not a whole lot more you could light a 75 or a 90 gallon tank and really open the doors.

 

[montecarlo97]

Would this light be a better choice?
http://www.current-usa.com/novaextreme.html

We would like to get a bigger tank, but don't have the extra funds right now. This one is already set up.
She likes the zoas and would eventually like to grow and trade them, just trying to get the best bang for her buck.

 

[650-IS350]

If you go with T5s, it would be best to have a fixture that has INDIVIDUAL reflectors for each bulb. Current has a new T5 fixture the mirrors the TEK T5 fixtures.

 

[Python73]

Amen flyyyyguy. If you want that original fixture, and you had a 90g or 120g, I wouldn't have been so shocked. Still would be like the surface of the sun, but hey lots of people still think you have to have 400w halides to grow acros.

I'm on board with the T5 suggestions also. I'm a big fan of VHO / T5 setups to begin with for many reasons. You'll have to be careful with photoperiod and shading if you slap a new 3 or 4 bulb T5 right on the tank (where it should go, really) they are suprisingly bright. But the colorations from a good mix of bulbs is very nice.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

S !

 

[Auntbeez]

I use T-5s and love them. I have never had MH to compare but I get amazing color in my Zoos and all my SPS is growing fine.