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View Full Version : ideas for lighing on a 10gal cube?


JOSH
08-28-2006, 10:28 PM
im just tryng to figure out a good way to get good lighing over my 10 gallon nano reed, i do plan on having sof corals so it will need to be able to keep them healthy. i was thinging of using a reflective light hood and screwing in around a 50watt compact flouresent light. would something like that be able to grow soft corals?

Midknight
08-28-2006, 10:45 PM
Hi Josh,

I used a Coralife retro kit on mine. Here is the build.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=831443

JOSH
08-28-2006, 11:57 PM
i dont think i can find a light fixture short enough and powerfu enough to work for my tank though, its 13 inches wide

fortheloveofcrabs
08-29-2006, 01:03 AM
There is one. I use it on my nano at work. It's a 2.5 gal.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-al0909

But if you want to go 'hard core', get this:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-mh-pene.php?product_ID=MH-CPENA20

JOSH
08-29-2006, 03:00 AM
nither of those links are working for me

Midknight
08-29-2006, 03:50 AM
I tried just http://www.jlaquatics.com and it was refused.
I think the site is down right now.

Midknight
08-29-2006, 07:01 PM
Links working now.
First light - inexpensive and not to bad
Second - Big bucks but you could keep anything with that light.

JOSH
08-29-2006, 07:11 PM
the first one seems like it would be lacking for wattage for a ten gallon wouldnt it?

what about something like this for soft corals
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-al2096

Midknight
08-29-2006, 07:14 PM
That is basicly what is in the retrofit that I did.
You say your tank is 13 " and this is 20 (bulb is really only about 17")
Throw a set of the legs on and you would be good to go.

howdy20012002
08-29-2006, 07:19 PM
http://www.yinyanghome.com/Products/LOA/9266c.html

I had one of these on my 44 gallon seahorse tank
would be great for a 10 gallon - lots of light to grow things
IMO this is a good bang for your buck
Hope this helps
(btw, if you order one, make sure that you order a bulb as well)

JOSH
08-29-2006, 07:26 PM
howdy that does seem like an interesting idea, super powerful.

Midknight, yeah i will have a bit of overhang with a 20" but no biggy
but that 96 watt light will grow soft corals well?

howdy20012002
08-29-2006, 07:30 PM
the bulb is 6500 K as well
good for growth
If you want to go to a higher K, you can get some overhead projector plastic sheets that are clear light blue..simple but would work
the bulbs last like 7 hours of normal use

JOSH
08-29-2006, 08:54 PM
yeah i might have to consider that,
but someone is selling one of those coral life 96 watts for a good price in calgary so if you guys think that light will be good for soft corals?

howdy20012002
08-29-2006, 09:08 PM
depends on the corals..
but 96 watts should be good for most soft corals IMO
I am sure others have their own opinions
Neal

JOSH
08-29-2006, 09:44 PM
yeah just soft corals, and i want something that makes the tank look really nice

Quagmire
08-30-2006, 12:31 AM
I think 96w PC in a 10G would be fine for most softies,and even some stonys.

JOSH
08-30-2006, 03:52 AM
howdy that light setup in that link does it get realy hot? do you know the dimensons of it? also because its only 65watts doesnt that narrow down the types of corals i can have

howdy20012002
08-30-2006, 05:11 AM
I have mine sit right on top of my glass top of my aquarium
it gets hot but not that hot
it is about a 1' x 6 " x 6 "
Neal

JOSH
08-30-2006, 01:27 PM
in your seahorse tank did you grow an corals?

Myanth
08-30-2006, 02:01 PM
I've had a 96W corallife compact on my ten gallon for about a year and a half. Have not had a problem growing much although the bulbs are pricy and tough to find. Single four element bulb. A couple of built in fans, comes with legs. Nice unit.

Mike

howdy20012002
08-30-2006, 06:24 PM
no corals
strictly seahorses

JOSH
08-31-2006, 02:59 AM
hey i ended up going with two of these
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-al0909

i saw a tank set up with golds a ten gallon with just one and it grew soft corals and they look great. the other good part is that bulbs arnt very much

kwirky
09-01-2006, 02:59 AM
i think you should use one of these. :D

http://www.esopenko.com/images/aquarium/both400x300.jpg