Lighting a ten gallon nano

[beefchicken31]

I am looking for suggestions on lighting a ten gallon nano for softies. I was looking at some t-5 fixtures and prices for a a 20 inch fixture were outrageous, even the t-8 prices were jaw dropping.

Do any one know of a cheap light fixture for a ten gallon softie tank? Or is there any other way of lighting with not so jaw dropping prices?

[glaudds]

I've used this fixture over a 10g with no issues..you need to order the mounting legs also.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53101

[fantastic4]

I would upgrade to the MH Sunpod

or Aqua Medic MH

[perpetual98]

Um, he just said that the T5 fixtures were too expensive and you point to a Sunpod or AquaMedic? :)

http://www.hellolights.com/201xcoaqpcho.html

[beefchicken31]

Thanks for the help guys, perpetual and glaudds that fixture looks real good and at a reasonsable price. This would be enough light for softies correct?

[beefchicken31]

and does that fixture need the mounting legs or can it rest on top of a glass canopy?

[perpetual98]

Wow, Glaudds, that link pulled up a completely differenc fixture for me before.

That should be enough light for most things, even maybe some lower light SPS. I've got one over my 10G refugium and the bulb is over 2 years old, but I just use it for macro anyway.

[glaudds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7437357#post7437357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beefchicken31
and does that fixture need the mounting legs or can it rest on top of a glass canopy?
Skip the glass top and get the mounting legs. This fixture puts out some heat.
This has plenty of light for softies...I even have a derasa clam at the bottom of the tank that has grown significantly.

[perpetual98]

Yeah, get the legs and remove the glass and call it a day. I like my fixture. You need to clean it occasionally, and sometimes my fan rattles, but if I adjust the grill, it quiets down.

[beefchicken31]

What would I use for a top ten?

[glaudds]

No top is needed. With an open top you have better gas exchange, better light penetration, and less heat buildup.

[joedirt54]

IMHO, don't go with pc's. Save your money and buy a good 150w hqi MH pendent. You will be able to light anything and keep any coral with it on any tank up to a 2'x2'. That will cover 10gal, 15 gal, 20h, 26 bow, 30 cube, etc.

[Shooter7]

I've got this light fixture on my 10 gal and have an orange monti cap growing under it, albeit slowly growing. Have to say that my softies were like, "Holy Crap, what's with all the light??!!" when I put this fixture on the tank. My main beef with it is that it tends to be rather noisy.

[beefchicken31]

So would this light be no good for softies then? Or is too much light a good thing =)

The problem with open tops is that I will be using NSW. How much water would evaporate?

[vishboy]

No, too mmuch light is not a good thing. But this will be fine for softies, and if you have some problems with shrroms or something, you oculd make a shady spot to put them in.

[Shooter7]

Here's a pic of my 10g under this light after a recent revision of the tank (that's why all the corals are just kind of sitting around on the sand). As has been said, if you use this light, you will probably want to put corals like shrooms in some shade at least for awhile, and maybe do like I did here with the corals all on the sandbed for a bit to acclimate, then maybe try moving them up. The monti cap, while not growing in leaps and bounds, is still relatively happy where he is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/DavidW/DSCN0222.jpg

[AZDesertRat]

I have the same fixture over my 15G Via Aqua and it works great. Get the leg kit and leave the top open though. It does have fans in it but still generates some heat.

[Shooter7]

oh yeah...mine's got the legs and I don't have a cover on the tank. Have no problems with heat and evap is minimal.

[glaudds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7442219#post7442219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beefchicken31
I will be using NSW. How much water would evaporate?
No worries, just top off with RO water. Evaporation varies depending on humidity and temperature.