Jharvey Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 I am getting ready to set up a 10 gal nano. I'll be doing an AC 500 fuge, and a couple power heads on a wave controler. I want to keep a clam or two, plus I don't want to be limited in what I can keep. Should I go with a 175W MH or a 250W? opinion please, plus pics of your setup if you have something similar. Also, should I go 10K or 20K. Do I need to supliment with actinic? Link to comment
Jharvey Posted July 25, 2004 Author Share Posted July 25, 2004 Or should I get a Coralife PC for my 10 gal? Is that enough light? or will it limit what I can keep? Link to comment
Imaexpat2 Posted July 25, 2004 Share Posted July 25, 2004 On a 10 gallon....I would fore go the halide and just get about 110 plus watts of PC if it were me. If there is a chance of a 20-30 gallon tank in your future then prehaps a 70 watt halide might be a good option. I just feel like a 175 will be over kill in such a small tank and might cuase a bleaching problem for you not to mention a heat issue. Maybe I am a little off target with that comment as I do know there are some insaine lighting set ups on some pretty small tanks but I think they are just that...Insaine! On my 10 gallon QT tank for clams and corals I personnaly found that a Quad 4 96 watt PC was suitable for keeping thinghs there for up to a month with no ill effects and I am not a fan of PC's. After using this set up for over a year I am now of the opinion that PC's are a pretty decent option on Nano-Reefs where Halides may not be the best option due to over heating issues. I am currently running 3 x 55 watt PC caniblized off the used 240 gallon tank I recently bought to light up my 24 gallon "Tall" and I have found it to be quiet adequate for SPS corals to the point I might try to add a small Crocea or two. In your particular case...since I have some decent wood workking skills...I would use a Quad 4 96 watt retro and 36 watt or there abouts Actinic only in a retrofit to allow you to have good lighting and get the dusk to dawn effect. Better yet if its an option...get a slightly larger tank and use 3-4 x 55 watt retros in a canopy. There again though prehaps on a slightly larger tank a halide in conjunction with a PC actinic would be the way to go! Just some ideas to ponder.... Link to comment
FateX9 Posted July 25, 2004 Share Posted July 25, 2004 yeah pcs would deffinately limit your selection but if i had a choice i would do a 150w 10k hqi with actinic supplements you would get more growth from 10k than 20k 20k is more for aesthetics than coral growth good luck mike Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.