150 watt halide over 12 gallon..is it possible

[Elliott89]

Hi Guys

Just wanted to get your opinions...do you think i could like a 12x12x12 cube nano with a 150watt MH or would it be to intese for LPS and SPS corals...my other option is to use 2 18 watt compact T5s but i don't think this will give enough light

Thanks in advance

Elliott

[D to the P]

Yes you can use it, but you want to make sure the light is a good 10" or so above the water.

You might run into heat issues though.

[Sugar Magnolia]

A small fan will take care of the heat problem.

[Elliott89]

Hi guys

Thanks for the advice....i have a small cooling fan unit so hopefully that'll take care of the heat...although luckily in the UK we don't get warm weather very often!

Thanks again

Elliott

SPS/LPS here i come!

[Bmgrocks]

I have a 12g Aquapod that I run with the glass top with the Sunpod 150 MH and I have yet to come into problems. It does take some tinkering, and careful observation of the temperatures. However what people often overlook here on RC especially is that the average Temperature of OCEANS WORLDWIDE is actually 86 degrees.

Gradual Fluctuation in terms of minor degree swings, ie 2-3 degrees, is not detrimental, as our corals and fish are more tolerant than we think. It is the instant and major 6-8 degrees that often does our tanks in.

Keep in mind all species have different tolerance levels, and its important that we plan our tanks with the interest of all livestock accordingly.

I happen to keep my 12ap heater at 78, but with the MH and glass top, its frequently 82 degrees, and drops back to about 78 in the evenings.

[birdman1979]

IMO a 150MH would work well. You'll need to acclimate your corals to that lighting intensity though. I recently switched from 2 T-5's and a 65W PC to 4 T-5's on an icecap ballast. My corals were stressed until I raised the lamps up. I plan on lowering a little each day. I'd estimate you are looking at a similar intensity.

[weakspleen]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1510549

Similar conversation on this thread. I have 150w MH over my jbj12, no top or glass cover and it sits about 5 inches above the water surface. I've had no issues with heating except in the hottest part of the summer, but the ceiling fan in the room takes care of that. Max summertime temp was 82 degrees. I had to be sure to turn off the fan after the MH went out though, first couple of times the temp dropped to 75-76. Now that colder weather is here, I use a heater so the non photo period stays stable. The biggest drawback I've found so far is my zoa's at the top of my LR, which is about 6" below water surface, seem to be migrating away. I'll be backing the light off an inch or two, otherwise I like the results and the looks.

[BlAcK_PeRcUlA]

I have a 150w over a 10X10x10 cube around 4 gallons except that there is a ten gallon sump underneath. I need a chiller though to keep it under 82 during the peak of the day. It's not too much light though (bulb about 8 inches above water).

[NanoReefWanabe]

a 12x12x12 cube as you describe is only 7.5 gallons...IMHO 150 is overkill...a 70W MH would be more appropriate and yo would still have no troubles growing SPS or LPS...

[ScarabRa]

Id say YES!!!
Ive got a 150 MH on my 5gal pico

About 5" off the water.

Im running a Electronic ballast, and a DIY Vented Hood, using the light fixture from a halogen shop light.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1509864

http://www.modernreefkeeper.com/tank-doc/pico/01x.jpg

http://www.modernreefkeeper.com/tank-doc/pico/04a.jpg


http://www.modernreefkeeper.com/tank-doc/pico/tank-doc-2008-11-13a.jpg


http://www.modernreefkeeper.com/tank-doc/pico/tank-doc-2008-11-17a.jpg

:bum:

[ermartin]

I run a viper about 10inches from the water on my aquapod 12 and a sunpod 70 over my other aquapod 12 and the temp stays about the same in both between 78-80.. I think its perfect

[bsagecko]

I have a 150W MH over a 10g

you can do it

[gawf4fun]

Like several others responding, I recently upgraded my 11 gallon from 2 x 18 watt PC to a Coralife 150 watt DE pendant. I was careful to acclimatize the corals to the lighting by starting the height at 18" above the water and lowering it 2" per week until it reached the current level of 10". I have a fan readily available to blow across the surface water but have not seen the temperature get above 80 degrees as I've lowered the pendant.

I've added several SPS to my nano including a red/blue milli, a green milli, green hydnophora and a green polyped pink birdsnest, and a blue tipped something or other. I keep mine on my desk at the office and am loving the new lights!!

Go for it.

mark

[hebygb]

I have a 150 watt pendant over a 12 gallon zeroedge... works great. Picture in my gallery. Cube is 15 x 15 x 15...

[Reefman79]

Im in love...

[Reefman79]

I really would like another decked out nano on the larger size gallon nano...

Brian

[decent37]

i have a 10 gallon with the 150w outer orbit pendent and I think its ok it might be too much cause I kinda get hair algae blooms once in a while. but i only have softies in there and everything is growing like crazy my pink tipped frog spawn has grown about 4 new heads in about 2 months so its great. But I also think that t-5's would work just fine