10g Lighting Advice please

[Rekonn]

My main tank is a 90g 48x18x24 with a 4x54watt SLS T5 light setup. I'm planning to have LPS and SPS that don't require high light. After reading about red bugs, AEFW, and other nasties, I'm going to quarantine every piece of coral for a month before it goes in my main system.

For this, I have a standard 10g tank, 20x10x12. What should I get for lights? I'd like lighting that's similar to my display, so the corals don't have to adjust much going from QT to display. Would the 18 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 2x20 (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?SearchStr=nova%20extreme%20t5%20ho%20460nm,460nm&action=view&idProduct=CU01136&idCategory=FILTFIT5T5&category=18_inch_Current_USA_Nova_Extreme_2x20_watt_T5_HO_10K_460nm_%3C20in_Units&vendor=) be a good choice? Is there anything like that, but with individual reflectors?

[Rekonn]

Did some searching and found this thread (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1238072&highlight=Current+USA+Nova+Extreme)

Basic summary is that the Nova Extreme is crap, but there really aren't any good lighting options at that size. Found a good deal on a 15L tank, and am now looking at 24" options.

[herostar]

If you get a 15g, a 4x24w T5 fixture would be the most similar to your display tank... You could always put a 4x24w fixture over a 10g... it'll just hang over the edges a little bit. Considering that it's a QT that shouldn't be a big issue...

[Rekonn]

The QT tank is only 12" deep. Plus, frags will be on some eggcrate because I'm planning to use plastic golf tees as plugs. I'm hoping that since it'll be so shallow, I can save some $$ and only get a 2x24w.

Guess the first question I should ask would be can SPS like stylophora, monti cap, birdsnest do well in a 2x24w 15g tank?

[Alaska_Phil]

Check out AH Supply www.ahsupply.com they make a 2x36W DIY kit that fits over a 10 gal. That should be intense enough for just about anything.

I've had one of their 2x55W kits for a year now and like it.

Phil

[InLimbo87]

Are you considering MH fixtures at all? The 20" Sunpod 150w or 70w would be awesome for that tank.

[kaserpick]

If you wanted to keep SPS corals under T5's, I would consider overdriving them with an IceCap ballast. Even the HO T5's don't seem to pack a ton of punch compared to MH unless they are overdriven. Like you mentioned before, it's definitely a good idea to have individual reflectors. JMO...hope that helps! :)

[Rekonn]

You guys convinced me to do more research, and now I agree that 2x24 T5 won't be enough. InLimbo, the Sunpod does look great, and it's the same cost as a 4x24 retro kit... I wanted the same light as what's in my display, to minimize adjustment from QT, but now you have me thinking. The SPS would thrive under a 150W metal halide, but would it be too much for LPS?

[Rekonn]

It's looking more and more like the 4x24 T5 retro is the way to go. Searched for Sunpod threads, found several where people complained about fan noise. Then there's the heat issues inherent with MH. Reminded me of the reasons I went T5 in the display to begin with.

[keith1569]

i have a 150w sunpod on my 10gallon..the fan is kinda loud not to bad thouhg..in terms of heat issue i have a fan blow across the water which keeps my water at about 80 at its high

[armagedon48]

look around for used parts. i paid 70$ for my 175 watt metal halide setup which included spider reflector, mogul socket, lightly used 10k bulb, electronic ballast. the ballast and reflector were brand new.

i have seen 70 watt halide retro on the RC selling forum for 100$ +/- and other good deals. i think lots of people are moving into T5 and are selling their halide setups for cheap. i even sometimes see T5 setups for sale.

i have 175 watts over my 20 long. the light is 15 inches over the water as i didnt want to burn my coral (moved corals out from under 80 watts PC to 175 watts halide scared me). i left the halide that high up because its working just fine and i really dont want my green star polyps to grow any faster than they are (gotta scrape new growth every few days).

hope i helped@!!

[Rekonn]

What do you guys think of this LINK (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11195848#post11195848)? Has pictures which is nice.

It's a used 4x24w T5 by New Wave. I never heard of that company, and the reflectors don't look great, but it's still a reflector for each bulb.

[Alaska_Phil]

For a temporary quarintine tank, I'd think that would be more than adequate. You just need enough to keep them healthy after all, not enough for fast growth.

Phil

[Toygrr]

you could probably run a 70w k2 viper. i have a friend who has 2 on a 40g, they work fine.