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  #1  
Old 01/09/2008, 10:54 AM
bues0022 bues0022 is offline
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30ga cube lighting suggestions...HELP!!

I need some help trying to figure out what to do for lighting for my 30 gallon cube. Dimensions are 23H x 18D x 20W. I'm planning on having a shroom/softie tank so I can get away with less light for now. My problem is trying to get light on there for as little $$ as possible both for setup and electricity cost. To put dimensions in perspective, the tank width fits an 18W NO light strip from a 10 gallon perfectly.

I have access to putting two NO strips with good bulbs on the tank for only $30, but I'm concerned of the light penetration - will it go deep enough. The sand bed is 19" below water line.

What are your suggestions for me? I can DIY things, so maybe a DIY PC fixture? This might get more costly than I want to make though. Maybe someone has something laying around that you don't need? Maybe I will actually be fine with the NO lights because they have decent color bulbs in them. What are your thoughts?
  #2  
Old 01/09/2008, 11:07 AM
saleenpwr88 saleenpwr88 is offline
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One thing in this hobby I've learned is to do something right the first time because if you don't, you'll end up redoing it and spending more money anyway. I think your tank is too narrow for a 24 inch T-5 retro kit so I would just go with a 70W or 150W clamp on MH. You can usually find them fairly cheap and with a softie/shroom tank, you should be ok. That is my opinion as I am not a fan of PCs
  #3  
Old 01/09/2008, 11:16 AM
Mojo Jojo Mojo Jojo is offline
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Saleens right! Eventually you are going to want to do an upgrade. PCs will only slow you down on coral selection. Keep tunned I may have my 2 month old halide for sale soon.
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  #4  
Old 01/09/2008, 12:54 PM
GrandeGixxer GrandeGixxer is offline
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1 400w halide should do it.
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  #5  
Old 01/09/2008, 01:06 PM
bues0022 bues0022 is offline
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Joe....you and your 400W'ers. Some of us actually have to pay for our electricity. Actually, come to think of it I pay for yours too!

Would a 70W halide have enough penetration power to get to the bottom of the tank? I know of a cheap DIY 70W halide project I could handle....Thoughts?
  #6  
Old 01/09/2008, 02:09 PM
BenjieC BenjieC is offline
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I'd go w/ a 150, 175, or even a 250. Your going to limit yourself on bulb selection if you just go w/ a 70. Eventually your going to want something more than softies, you should start planning for the future otherwise you'll just end up throwing money away.
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  #7  
Old 01/09/2008, 02:13 PM
bues0022 bues0022 is offline
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This tank is plumbed with a common sump to a 58ga. right next to it. I have 4x39W T5 in there. I want mainly softies in this tank so it's different from my 58 that will have lps/sps. It's ok to limit myself some with bulbs since I have the other tank. Thanks for the concern though! I'm thinking 70W for 1) cheaper to run, and 2) cheaper to get parts to build (or hopefully find one used for cheap). I'm a grad student, so you can obviously see where my main concern is with setting this up...$$
  #8  
Old 01/09/2008, 02:51 PM
hebygb hebygb is offline
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I have 4 x 96w PCs over my 65 and While I have GSP, shrooms, hammer, Birdnest, Frogspawn, and even a 4" crocea clam that is thriving on the sandbed.

Yes I agree that you should plan for the future and get MHs, I would agree that a single 150 or 250 pendant would be ideal and allow for options down the road.

There was a thread about 2 months ago where a guy used a HD or Lowes outdoor MH for his tank... bulb choice is key.
  #9  
Old 01/09/2008, 05:01 PM
poo-tang poo-tang is offline
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what is your budget?
  #10  
Old 01/09/2008, 05:09 PM
clopez clopez is offline
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I have a 150 halide outer orbit pendant with moonlights for sale for 150 if you are interested. Would be enough light and you could try a few new things too. PM me if interested. Would definitely stay away from NO lights though.
  #11  
Old 01/09/2008, 05:14 PM
bues0022 bues0022 is offline
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poo-tang: my budjet is a bit undefined, but I was hoping to keep things down to $100 if at all possible. Do you have something?

Clopez- thanks for the offer. I'll keep it in mind if I change my budjet at all.
  #12  
Old 01/09/2008, 10:06 PM
poo-tang poo-tang is offline
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no sorry i have nothing for you, except this link, http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=Current-T5

not sure if this works for you, but it should support most softies and all shrooms? i think. i've been thinking of doing a similar tank and have been looking for appropriate lighting scheme. i was going to get the oceanic 30 gallon cube and use it for a coral quarantine/ permanet clove/shroom tank. dunno tho, good lick.
  #13  
Old 01/09/2008, 10:07 PM
poo-tang poo-tang is offline
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whoops...don't lick the shrooms...or the zoas
  #14  
Old 01/09/2008, 10:37 PM
GrandeGixxer GrandeGixxer is offline
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Ryan, you can get an M57 175w ballast for about $30 on ebay and the spider reflector is only $30 from the cave. I have a 10k bulb you can have.
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  #15  
Old 01/09/2008, 11:18 PM
bues0022 bues0022 is offline
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I can't pass up a deal like that! Thanks Joe!
 

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