Smartlite retro

[Laura0099]

Would the 32w SmartLite Retro: 14" x 3" x 2.2" work on a 35Hex?  I just want to increase the lighting a little bit for the mushrooms I have and maybe get some increased coraline growth.  Any info will be appreciated.  Thanks Laura

[lizbeth]

Welcome Laura!

 

What kind of lighting do you already have? How deep is the tank? If the Smartlight will fit I'm sure it would help. I don't have one but have heard good things about them.

[Laura0099]

Just the regular All Glass light that came with the tank.  It is not doing bad everything is healthy but I know with a little more light it would do better.   The tank dimensions are 23x20x24 .  It's an All Glass 35gal Hex.  (http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.asp)

 

Thanks

[lizbeth]

You really need more light than that if you plan on keeping corals (I know you know that). Could you build a custom hood to put more lights in? I know a lot of people light hexes with MH, but that kind of expensive in my opinion.

 

Is that your Dane? He's really neat!

[Metznreef]

try to fit the 55 watt smart light in there. it is only like 8 dollars more and it broadens your coral keeping possibilities.

[jdiver]

What are the dimensions of your current hood?

[Laura0099]

Yes, that's my dane, he's is a lot of fun.

I don't think I can fit the 55W in there due to the size.  My current light is only a 20" wide and it spans across the whole top of the tank.  I don't plan on putting any light apggressive corals in there.  Right now I have the anenome (same one that was in the 90), it seems to be doing much better in the 35 than it did in the 90.  Then I have a few mushrooms, they are doing fine but I know they could use more light, then I have a pink plant looking thing that I can't remember its name it looks like a tree and its pinkish color.  Then some live rock which isn't doing bad either but I know could use more.  Any other suggestions on light?  I  prefer to keep the top closed so I don't think I should use MH.

[jdiver]

This light should fit and would give you 64 watts: http://www.customsealife.com/NewFiles/pc15228.html

 

BTW, I'm guessing the pink coral you described is a Carnation coral.

[Laura0099]

With the width on that light I would have to customize my hood a little but it would work.  My coral I described looks like this one:  http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=22&pCatId=644

 

Thanks

[Toyfreek]

Laura,

Take a look at my 35 hex:

Http://toyfreek.50megs.com

I'm using a single MH to light the tank. I hapen to be using a 400W setup but for softies and shrooms a 175W would work ok (i ran it that way for about 6 months before adding clams and stonies) You can get a 175W retro kit for like $75+bulb here:  

http://www.aquaticlight.com/

With the depth of our tanks you will need MH to penetrate to the bottom.

HTH,

Toy

[Smokey Joe]

I don't know anenomes well but I think most if not all require more light than you're planning on adding.  A 32w smartlite will only minimally light the bottom of the tank.  I think your only option for keeping any but the most light tolerant corals (even those probably won't grow under a smartlite) is a mh pendant.

[Laura0099]

Go to the page I have listed as my home page.  I just uploaded some  pictures of my 35 Hex.  Not the greatest but you'll get the idea.