GBfromMV Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I have been reading on and off for several months and am always so overwhelmed by the wealth of information on this most amazing site. Frankly, the "search" feature is almost too overwhelming. I am having a hard time finding the exact results that I am looking for and am hoping to impose on your patience for a question that has probaly been asked a thousand times. I have very limited saltwater aquarium experience, but have many years of Freshwater including African Cichlids and Freshwater Plant tanks. We have TOO many aquarium extras in our basement in boxes and I am always wanting to set up a new tank for my children to become involved with. I have an early 90's 175W MH Pendant with magentic ballast and Mogul socket that is not being used for anything right now. I like the color of the 14K bulbs and am hoping to purchase a new bulb for the Pendant. I would like to grow some beginner things, based on the live rock/live sand/high current/stocked refugium/minimal skimming/ no filtration concepts contained herein. If my pendant light is the limiting factor in this system - what would be an appropriate tank size where my kids could learn about various coral forms (under my wife's and my constant vigilance) using this light effectively? Thanks for any advice, Garrett We have several 29 gallon tanks and a 20 long that are not being used, but would get a different tank if it would be "perfect". I am trying to get everything collected in the next six months and hope that if I go slowly enough that no one will notice the slow outflow of $$$$$. Link to comment
epicfish Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think a 30 gallon cube (20x20x20") would be a great size. That's what I used to run...175W MH over a 30g cube. With a better reflector, a 60 cube MIGHT be adequately lit with the 175W setup. Link to comment
johnr2604 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think a 30 gallon cube (20x20x20") would be a great size. That's what I used to run...175W MH over a 30g cube. With a better reflector, a 60 cube MIGHT be adequately lit with the 175W setup. I was thinking 30 cube also. Link to comment
GBfromMV Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think a 30 gallon cube (20x20x20") would be a great size. That's what I used to run...175W MH over a 30g cube. With a better reflector, a 60 cube MIGHT be adequately lit with the 175W setup. The 30g cube seems like a very nice size. Did you have to run a chiller on your 30g cube tank? I Link to comment
johnr2604 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I have a 150 halide on my 30 cube with a 10g sump and I have a hard time keeping my temps up. you will probably be fine Link to comment
epicfish Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 The 30g cube seems like a very nice size. Did you have to run a chiller on your 30g cube tank? I I had to run a chiller...but I'm in Southern California, so...even without the MH, a chiller would've been necessary in the summer. Link to comment
GBfromMV Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 I have a 150 halide on my 30 cube with a 10g sump and I have a hard time keeping my temps up. you will probably be fine Thanks, John. The expense for a chiller might push this project back to 2010. So if some well placed air fans can be worked into a sort of light shield it would be great. ( I do not enjoy how MH pendants w/o light shields can blind you from certain angles when sitting elsewhere in the room. - - - I saw a picture yesterday of someone with DIY poster board and ductape, but am looking into other solution ideas also) Link to comment
epicfish Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Thanks, John. The expense for a chiller might push this project back to 2010. So if some well placed air fans can be worked into a sort of light shield it would be great. ( I do not enjoy how MH pendants w/o light shields can blind you from certain angles when sitting elsewhere in the room. - - - I saw a picture yesterday of someone with DIY poster board and ductape, but am looking into other solution ideas also) Build a canopy for it? And with fans, be sure to get an ATO or else evaporation will raise your SG. Link to comment
aquascaper08 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Since it is a pendent can you hange it from the roof? The reason I ask is that would allow you to keep it farther away from a smaller tank to prevent excessive heat. On the good side the 29 would work ok but you would have some dark spots. Link to comment
GBfromMV Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Since it is a pendent can you hange it from the roof? The reason I ask is that would allow you to keep it farther away from a smaller tank to prevent excessive heat. On the good side the 29 would work ok but you would have some dark spots. Thanks, Aquascaper! It does seem rational that I might could back the light off of the 20L tank also. The LFS rep said that a 175W would "cook" the corals in a 20L and that I should come in a buy a 40 Tech. My wife certainly won't go for another $400 tank - and it appears that the thought of getting yet another tank (the 30g cube) might "scrub" the whole mission also. If I could make the current pendant work on the "already here" spare 20L - - - - then my planning could continue w/o the immediate "veto" of yet another purchase. Even though I know that in the big scheme of things a 30g Cube purchase might be negligible when compared to overall cost - it seems that "psychology" plays a huge part in the ever present "spouse vs. reef struggle". Link to comment
GBfromMV Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 But that 30g cube sure does look PERFECT! thanks everyone, G Link to comment
glennr1978 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Thanks, Aquascaper! it seems that "psychology" plays a huge part in the ever present "spouse vs. reef struggle". I think we may have married the same woman !!!! Btw, the Oceanic 30g would be perfect with a 175. Link to comment
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