Too much lighting for a nanocube???

[waterman78]

Is a 400w de hqi light kit too BIGG of a light for a 24 gallon nano cube and is the 250w de hqi more ideal for a sps corals set up? Or is the 150w de 14k hqi kit the best for my application?

I'm actually trying to get the max/ideal set up for my 24 gallon nanocube. I am in love with this small tank...so I wanted to set up the best little tank there is. So far, I've made several modifications to it:

- Removed the lid added a 5.5gallon refugium/sump with Overflow box
- Added a Aqua C Remora Protein Skimmer
- 1/10hp JBJ Chiller


And now I wanted to try out a higher wattage lighting system.

So....what do you guy think?

 

[GinaSofia]

I think 400 watts would be overkill.I'm trading my 250 for a 150 because I've decided to just keep LPS and clams.The only party winning with me running the 250 was DWP.

You and your corals would be pretty happy just running 250 watts.

 

[sr71]

with 400w in a 25 gal you corals are going to look like this

:lol:

 

[SkinyChinaMan]

you do not need 400W, but seriously doubt that it will kill your sps, I have a friend that has 2 of the 250W DE sunpot on one 24 gallon nano and its doing great.

 

[ezcompany]

sunpot? what are those??

 

[SkinyChinaMan]

oops, i think they are the sunpots by Current USA

 

[waterman78]

Perfect...did he modify his sunpod to 250w? I have a 150w sunpod and it works fine...I just wanted 10 watts per gallon for different types of sps corals. Currently, I has montipora caps and wanted to collect acro and other types.

SkinChinaMan,
Can you find out where your friend purchased his 250w sunpod?

sr-71: I am unable to see the photo...however, I am now aware that it will not work on this small tank. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[reefpeep2004]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8137280#post8137280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by waterman78
Perfect...did he modify his sunpod to 250w? I have a 150w sunpod and it works fine...I just wanted 10 watts per gallon for different types of sps corals. Currently, I has montipora caps and wanted to collect acro and other types.

SkinChinaMan,
Can you find out where your friend purchased his 250w sunpod?

sr-71: I am unable to see the photo...however, I am now aware that it will not work on this small tank. Thanks again for your advice.

FYI, the "watts per gallon" really applies more to tanks tanks taller than 20". As short as a nanocube is, you can keep any SPS with 150W IMO.

 

[MammothReefer]

I ran 250w DE, over my 29 for a years.. It was more then enough.

 

[waterman78]

ReefPeep2004, I think that's what I was looking for to satisfy my question...should I upgrade or not. And for the response so far, it's possible to keep sps under 150w bulbs. However, I still want another light selection to see which will allow my corals to thrive better, 250 or 150.

If this is the case, which 150w bulbs have the best quality and durablity?

 

[GinaSofia]

IMO..go for the Phoenix 14K-it will supply you with a hint of blue without needing supplemental actinic lighting.