View Full Version : lighting a 10 gallon
secrest
08/19/2008, 12:41 PM
I recently set up a 10 gallon thats in the process of cycling. I plan on taking my time so I figure I would start weighing my options on lighting.
Basically, I'm wondering what types of coral you all think would work out using 2 coralife cf's and one NO flourescent strip light.
I believe the total wattage would be roughly 38 watts.
Thanks in advance for your opinions
Michael
08/19/2008, 12:43 PM
what about LEDs
http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/plantbar-aq/
bsagecko
08/19/2008, 02:23 PM
If you dont have $305 to spend on dumb LEDS
then why dont you go with the 20" t5 fixture that just came out
you can get it from drs foster and smith and other places
if you want to be able to keep light demanding corals i would buy 2 of them
each fixture has 2x 18" t5 lights in them with reflector..............
so if you got 2x of the fixture you would have 4 t5's on the 10g and that would let you keep just about anything and it would only cost you like $120 to have it shipped to your door
secrest
08/19/2008, 02:32 PM
Yeah there is no way I'm going to buy LED's that price is outrageous!
I like the idea of the T5's I'll have to look into them.
I don't plan on getting the lights for a few months, but will coraline algae grow if I only have the one NO flourescent light over the tank?
Thanks
Michael
08/19/2008, 02:46 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13185857#post13185857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bsagecko
If you dont have $305 to spend on dumb LEDS
then why dont you go with the 20" t5 fixture that just came out
you can get it from drs foster and smith and other places
if you want to be able to keep light demanding corals i would buy 2 of them
each fixture has 2x 18" t5 lights in them with reflector..............
so if you got 2x of the fixture you would have 4 t5's on the 10g and that would let you keep just about anything and it would only cost you like $120 to have it shipped to your door
i dont think leds are dumb bsagecko, admittedly the link i gave is outragous but just an example, however with a tiny 10 gallon tank a led bar would be adequate, just a thought, its the future, a lot of nano type tanks in europe are now rimless and come supplied with leds, the usa will inevately follow,t5s are very good though and perfect also, just another link on leds here also, youll see small tanks will definately go down the led route in the usa eventually and it will become the norm, heres the link:)
http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/aquaray-lighting.asp
http://www.orlandotropicalfishstore.com/orlando-solaris-lighting-systems.html
Bmgrocks
08/19/2008, 03:11 PM
96w Coralife Compact Flourescant, Comes ina 20" fixture, you'll spend about 100 bucks
Brewman12er
08/19/2008, 04:41 PM
i use the 96w coralife Comp works great..
ash71089
08/20/2008, 12:47 AM
i agree
HiepNotik
08/20/2008, 09:41 AM
I also agree, I have a 96w on my 10g too, and it works great.
HomeSlizzice
08/20/2008, 09:52 AM
What about Halides JBJ makes a 70 watt 14K hang on Heres the link it only 159.99 JBJ K-2 Viper 70 watt (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+15489&pcatid=15489)
mluna785
08/20/2008, 07:03 PM
I've got a 70W Sunpod on my 10 gallon and it is pretty dang bright. You should look into that.
secrest
08/21/2008, 07:23 AM
Thanks for all the choices guys. I think I'm going to go with the 2 sets of T5's. I have halides on everything else and have always wanted to try out T5's
kernyboy
08/21/2008, 09:45 AM
Don't go with LEDs. You're still learning (like myself) and theyre expensive. Go with a 20" t5 light or a Coralife 18inch one. The Coralife's are 150 or so. I used one when i had a 10 gallon tank. I recently upgraded and I have it lying around if you're interested.
workstoomuch
08/21/2008, 04:36 PM
I have the 80w current USA CF's. But, I have only just started stocking the tank so it's hard for me to say how well everythting in the tank is doing with the light so far.
scaast
08/21/2008, 09:46 PM
Go with the 150w Sunpod...you'll be glad you did...it leaves the option to have sps and clams there if you ever wanted to...and chances are that you eventually will.
harleychic
08/22/2008, 05:49 AM
Not to hijack the thread, but couldn't you keep SPS and clams under 70w MH in a 10g?
dendro982
08/22/2008, 06:30 AM
Could, I do that. Only coloration could be better under 150W.
secrest:
I have 10g too, and tried Coralife CFL route. I think, that 50-50 CFL are not good enough way to go. Personal opinion, of course.
Even 27W 6,500K (daylight CFL from hardware store, with the same store reflector or desktop arm lamp) worked better for me, though the spectrum is not the best, more for planted tank. But corals will grow too.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/Nano-Cube%206g/Jun15_08satank.jpg
2x27W CFL will provide better coverage, both sides of the tank will be lit.
The least expensive (but not most convenient, DIY) ways for me were PC retrofit kit, 2x36W combo, and DIY 70W (same for 150W) MH.
Note, that cost of watts consumed (70 or 150) makes little difference in the electricity bill, it's a service charge, that is significant and do not depends on amount of electricity used.
kernyboy
08/22/2008, 08:50 AM
I wouldn't. That looks a hot mess.
secrest
08/22/2008, 11:08 AM
Thanks again for all the suggestions. I went ahead and ordered the 2 sets of T5's. I have halides on all my other tanks and wanted to try something different.
calvin415
09/01/2008, 09:32 PM
Which T-5's? Got a link? In the same boat for a friend...
kernyboy
09/01/2008, 09:56 PM
i light mine with candels. kidding. t5s are great. i need to get a set ASAP
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