T5, 70 MH HQI or 150w MH....

[REDDAWG43]

I have a 24g nano cube with a Current USA 150w MH HQI with 2X65W Power Compact Actinic Lamps ....

But now I am thinking it's overkill since I decided I am only going to keep softies..
You know stuff like shrooms, rics, zoos, and digitata...etc, etc

I was thinking of lowering the light set-up to a 70w HQI Sunpod fixture or 24 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 4x24W T5HO with 2 Lunar Lights...

What would you guys get?

 

[Ludwigia73]

You say you're only going to keep softies, but at some time, just about everyone decides they want just a little more. For almost the same money, you're leaving your options open with the 150 mh. The 70 would be perfect for softies. I personally am loving my T-5 setup, and that's with the bulbs that came with the used unit. I'll be replacing them one by one with stuff I like better, but it seems to be more than enough light. I have 6x24w on a 56 column, and there seems to be more than enough light at the bottom for softies and LPS, and there's alot of light up high. Can't wait to get corals in!

 

[milsaltnewbie07]

I have a 150 hqi with 20k xm over my Biocube14. I think its great

 

[ReefWreak]

I'd be surprised if there was any coral that you couldn't keep in a 24g nano under 70w of light. I've got the 150w, and I worry about it melting my corals from the light it puts out.

If you're considering using less light for softies, maybe you should consider a 20k bulb, so that you'll lessen the light stress on the corals, as well as bring out their fluorescent colors much more, if you like the fluorescent look.

 

[REDDAWG43]

Reefwreak ...thats an awesome idea. I will order new pc bulbs along with a new 20k - 150 MH for this fixture. Yeah, I worry about it literraly melting away corals with the light intensity too.
I mean lower corals are fine but my rock work is very high.

Ludwigia....No stonies for a nano. I feel it would take way too much effort to keep them in such a small thus sensitive space.
I thiknk some LPS will do for me in a nano.

milsaltnewbie07....Could you post pics of your nano?