Lighting for tank.

[weileong]

Hi,

Setting up a small tank of dimension 21"(L)x16"(W)x12"(H). Have already added 3" of grade 0 sand as substrate and I measure the water height to be 12".

Was thinking of keeping 2 small clownfish and some soft corals. However the light is a headache that I need your advise.

Thinking of using the BLV 150W 10KK MH, will this be overkill (too much light) or should I go with the 70W instead. Was thinking that with the 150W bulb I can hang the light higher from the water surface and hence it should reduce the water temp?

Thanks.

[killfire]

haha ... your subject... i don't think you want lightning for your tank!!

[bum]

dude,

yours sounds like a nano,

and for 12' of water...150W is kinda high.

u might wanna check out danano's thread

and how he keeps his tank which was featuered.

he's the nano expert.

[weileong]

Hmm.... I could go with the 70watt too.

I can only use 15watts FL with this tank and if I add 4 15watts FL then there will be not much space on top of the tank. Installing cooling fans will be difficult too.

May 70watts MH is the better way?

[Chris]

friend,

4 X 15w FL is not equivalent to 70W MH. However, MH for such a shallow tank is a little overkill and also a temp risk. T5 would be good enough, even PL.

[Mellow]

i think 150w would be just nice..especially if u're thinking of upgrading to more advanced corals in future... do it once, do it right...not that using t5 is bad but i thought might as well get better one so u wun have to waste money on upgrades in future...i've got about 13-14 inches of water and using 250w...i'm relying in fan to keep my temp below 28 though...

[weileong]

Now running with 150W BLV 10KK. Very bright, 12" above water surface. Water temp is 27-28degs with one AC fan running. Will be adding another AC fan today, see if can push the temp a bit lower.