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guy9smiley2
09/28/2011, 01:30 AM
Looking into putting together a 20L for a frag tank. Would a 150w metal halide be over kill to the point that it could damage corals?
crichard6069
09/28/2011, 04:57 AM
Naw.. Just watch out when acclimating corals to it.. some times they can "burn" if they're not adjusted to the bright light. Personally I've never seen this issue. Back when I had a 29g aquapod I had a 150w MH on it with no issues other than heat. A 20L will heat up pretty fast so watch the water temps under a MH.
zigzag1
09/28/2011, 10:31 AM
Being just over 5 gallons, it seems overkill to me from an energy usage standpoint. Have you considered LED? Seems it would be a small, simple project with a quick ROI. JMTC & GL!
harthag12
09/28/2011, 10:37 AM
Should be ok, had a 250mh with 4 t5s over a 28 biocube i believe it was and it was fine, grew sps great until the tank cracked.
guy9smiley2
09/28/2011, 02:10 PM
Heat wont be an issue its in a cold basement. It will actually stop the heater from running constantly. the reason im considering my is I found a used one for a great price. I could have a 20l with fixture and nano koralias for under 180. Just didn't want to do it if I could "cook" them. Power consumption isnt a real big deal. To adjust them prob just put the light a little higher and adjust a shorter light cycle?
guy9smiley2
09/28/2011, 06:47 PM
Now my other question would be to go 20L or 29g for a frag tank. I would think the 20L for its less depth.
crichard6069
09/29/2011, 04:51 AM
20L for the reasons you stated!
Ba19Ma88
09/29/2011, 05:49 AM
Just make sure you start any new corals off lower in your tank and let them adjust before moving them up, say a week or two is even better.
Ron Reefman
09/29/2011, 05:52 AM
Being just over 5 gallons, it seems overkill to me from an energy usage standpoint. Have you considered LED? Seems it would be a small, simple project with a quick ROI. JMTC & GL!

What? What is just over 5 gallons? Please explain. Did I miss something?:headwalls:
zigzag1
09/29/2011, 11:15 AM
I must have misunderstood 20L as 20 Liters.. My bad. :)

With that in mind, 150 watt MH wouldn't be too crazy. GL!
guy9smiley2
09/29/2011, 01:23 PM
Cool thanks for all the input. Looks like I was on the right track. I was thinking of just making spacers to have the light sit higher while I start out the corals in the tank. Now I just need to figure out if I want to do sand or not. Never had a barebottom, but I'm sure would be nice to clean haha.
chrischin29g
09/29/2011, 03:54 PM
You should be fine I have a 150 over my 15g bb frag tank

I do keep it high tho like 15 inches lol