what to light a 10g softie tank with?

[oddjob208]

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]

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]

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]

70w metal halide would be the best choice IMO

Nick

[oddjob208]

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

[oddjob208]

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

[gastone]

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]

T5's rock the house

[oddjob208]

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

[oddjob208]

bump

[dzeadow]

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]

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