what to light a 10g softie tank with?

oddjob208 · 01/06/2008, 11:44 PM

trying to decide on how to light my planned 10g softie tank while not breaking the bank.

70W in PC?

100W in T5?

150W+ in MH?

any thoughts

thanks

rickh · 01/07/2008, 09:42 AM

Take a look at the Current Nova 2 tube 18" lights. They are cheap, run cool, very compact and bright. Forget all the "no individual reflectors" comments about the Nova--your tank isn't very deep. I run three of these units on a cube and they are as bright as 160 watts of PC and no heat problems. R

xraydoc · 01/07/2008, 09:59 AM

I agree, I would just buy a PC fixture. Very affordable and plenty of light for your apllication. I would steer clear of MH for your tank, that is an awful lot of heat for 10G of water and most softies dont like that much intensity.

GSMguy · 01/07/2008, 10:17 AM

70w metal halide would be the best choice IMO

Nick

oddjob208 · 01/07/2008, 10:29 AM

i found this 20" 2x40W PC Satellite by current, would this work?

oddjob208 · 01/07/2008, 10:35 AM

the 70W mh might be possible but i cant seem to find any

gastone · 01/07/2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oddjob208
i found this 20" 2x40W PC Satellite by current, would this work?

I've used this exact fixture on a 10g before. Nice little light IMO and with separate chords for the two bulbs, a moonlight and cooling fans it is very flexible. Downside is replacing those expensive PC bulbs.

For softies and LPS it would be a good option.

Garrett.

corbett_n · 01/07/2008, 12:06 PM

T5's rock the house

oddjob208 · 01/07/2008, 01:02 PM

yeah but do they make T5s that will fit over a 20in tank?

oddjob208 · 01/08/2008, 09:55 AM

bump

dzeadow · 01/08/2008, 10:11 AM

I have the current nova 4x24T5HO fixture over my 10g. You can start w/ 2 bulbs for shrooms/softies, and use 4 if you go higher light stuff. it's a little big on the tank and sticks over the ege a little on both sides, but no big deal.

Crazyju · 01/08/2008, 01:13 PM

Im running the 20" 150w sunpod on mine. With a 4 inch pc fan it stays right at 78 degrees.

01/06/2008, 11:44 PM	#1
oddjob208 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lebanon, New Jersey Posts: 102	what to light a 10g softie tank with? trying to decide on how to light my planned 10g softie tank while not breaking the bank. 70W in PC? 100W in T5? 150W+ in MH? any thoughts thanks __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 40gal w/ blood cichlids, 29g start up reef

01/07/2008, 09:59 AM	#3
xraydoc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 201	I agree, I would just buy a PC fixture. Very affordable and plenty of light for your apllication. I would steer clear of MH for your tank, that is an awful lot of heat for 10G of water and most softies dont like that much intensity. __________________ "If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." ~Loren Eiseley

01/07/2008, 10:17 AM	#4
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	70w metal halide would be the best choice IMO Nick __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

01/07/2008, 10:29 AM	#5
oddjob208 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lebanon, New Jersey Posts: 102	i found this 20" 2x40W PC Satellite by current, would this work? __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 40gal w/ blood cichlids, 29g start up reef

01/07/2008, 10:35 AM	#6
oddjob208 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lebanon, New Jersey Posts: 102	the 70W mh might be possible but i cant seem to find any __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 40gal w/ blood cichlids, 29g start up reef

01/07/2008, 09:42 AM	#2
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	Take a look at the Current Nova 2 tube 18" lights. They are cheap, run cool, very compact and bright. Forget all the "no individual reflectors" comments about the Nova--your tank isn't very deep. I run three of these units on a cube and they are as bright as 160 watts of PC and no heat problems. R

01/07/2008, 12:06 PM	#8
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	T5's rock the house

01/07/2008, 01:02 PM	#9
oddjob208 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lebanon, New Jersey Posts: 102	yeah but do they make T5s that will fit over a 20in tank? __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 40gal w/ blood cichlids, 29g start up reef

01/08/2008, 09:55 AM	#10
oddjob208 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lebanon, New Jersey Posts: 102	bump __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 40gal w/ blood cichlids, 29g start up reef

01/08/2008, 10:11 AM	#11
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	I have the current nova 4x24T5HO fixture over my 10g. You can start w/ 2 bulbs for shrooms/softies, and use 4 if you go higher light stuff. it's a little big on the tank and sticks over the ege a little on both sides, but no big deal. __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

01/08/2008, 01:13 PM	#12
Crazyju Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 55	Im running the 20" 150w sunpod on mine. With a 4 inch pc fan it stays right at 78 degrees.