Lights for a 10g

JodiLynn · #1 12/02/2005, 10:32 PM

So... I'm going to start a 10g nano. Mainly so I can get a pair of percs or occelaris. But I'll also probably put our new GBTA clone in there for a while (till it outgrows it), and maybe a couple other corals. Not real sure yet, I'll keep what I can with the lighting I get. But the main point of the tank is to keep the two clowns. That will be it for the fish, stocking-wise.

So my question is, what kind of lighting should I get? Its just the standard 10g aquarium (another repo from the freshwater department of the hobby). So its all of, what, 12 inches long? I need to pull out the measuring stick.

So what kind of lighting can I get for this thing? We use PC's on our 29g, and I'd like to use those for this too but I don't know where I could get a ballast that was short enough. Halides are out of the question. So what would you guys recommend?

bmwardo · #2 12/02/2005, 11:15 PM

Well if the tank is a standard AGA 10gal then the dimensions are probably 20Lx10Wx12H.

I built my nano 20L so that it could fit the 96watt power quad over the top (also 20 inches). So far I am very happy with it, I know they also make it retrofit if you want to go that route. That would be more than enough light for what you want to keep on a 10gal. I think Coralife also makes fixtures with less wattage.

Here is the power quad (you can get it numerous places)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES53101

Here is the same length but a 28watt fixture, you may want more light for your anemone though:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES53000

Some people don't care for Coralife products but I have been happy with them so far.

T5's would also be an excellent way to go, especially if you plan on doing it all retrofit anyways. (the fixtures can get pricey)

firefighter1_emt_cop · #3 12/03/2005, 12:24 AM

Im using a custom USA fixture on my 10g that I got from Animal Attraction...It has 80w of PC in it and also moonlights. It wasnt bad priced either and was less than $150 if I remember correctly.

Nate

coralreefengr · #4 12/03/2005, 12:37 AM

I've got two 55W 50/50 PCs on my 10gal. I prefer to have one daylight and one actinic. I don't have any high light loving creatures in there, though. A couple LPS, a bunch of softies, a fish and a shrimp.

JodiLynn · #5 12/03/2005, 02:09 AM

Yea, we use Coralife PC's over our reef and they work just fine for us. They have those at Animal Attraction? I will definitley have to go take a look at those. The moonlights would be awesome.

The anenome would also be the focal point, and probably placed mid-to-high up in the center of the tank (well, depending on the lighting I end up going with). Actually, the anenome in question has tucked himself under a rock in the reef right now and is getting exactly 0W of lights. Oh well, he'll move.

JodiLynn · #6 12/03/2005, 02:15 AM

2 x 55W fixtures on a 10g? That'd be... 11 watts per gallon! Couldn't you have light-lovers in there if you wanted.

At the moment I think the 96W coralife thing sounds like the way to go (only 89.00 online, so hopefully around there at Animal Attraction as well). Though I will definitely have to look at the thing with the moonlights that Nate mentioned. How do either of those perform heat-wise? Do they heat up the tank a lot? Do you have them on stilts?

firefighter1_emt_cop · #7 12/03/2005, 04:14 AM

The light I have is on stilts/legs...I havent had any heat issues with it at all. The temp doesnt budge whether the lights are on or off.

Nate

bmwardo · #8 12/03/2005, 09:53 AM

Same here as Nate with the heat issues, the coralife fixture has a couple sets of fans which helps. I run a ice cap fan over my tank also, I probably don't need to but I do it anyways. Oh and you can get the coralife fixture to mount on legs also. But getting a moonlight is pretty sweet, something the coralife does not have.

firefighter1_emt_cop · #9 12/03/2005, 03:23 PM

Another thing I like about the fixture I have is that the bubls are dual Kelvin temp. The daylight bulb is half 6,700K and half 10K and the actinic is dual NM too although I cant remember what NM's its putting out.

Nate

clowninaround74 · #10 12/03/2005, 03:54 PM

i have a 96watt pc over my 10 gal

wantsalotta · #11 12/03/2005, 07:27 PM

the coralife fixture can accomodate a moonlight that is made by coralife, as well

bendavis · #12 12/03/2005, 11:08 PM

we got an 18 gallon. same footprint as a ten, though.

cadeucsb · #13 12/04/2005, 12:26 AM

i have the 96watt powerquad...love it...