Whats the most powerful light for a 10 gal

marcingo · #1 05-06-2007, 07:43 PM

Just looking for peoples experience on what the best light for a 10 gallon tank is. Im looking for something that can support high light demanding corals. I have thought about the clamp on MH but thought that might be a little too much since I also want to keep some zoos. Therefore my next idea was HO T5's. What is everyone using on thier gallons and what have they had success keeping when it comes to high light corals. Thanks.

NateL · #2 07-21-2007, 04:16 PM

Im planning on using a 70w MH for my 5.5 in a few weeks. I would go with a 150w MH or as many t5's as you can fit on top.

04scoobysti · #3 07-21-2007, 05:38 PM

The HOT5's only come as short as 24" so you would have a could inches hanging off each side, i would go with somthing like the Sunpod http://www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html
Pretty much the best 20" light i've seen i believe "TheGrimReefer" has one on his tank.

Mik_101 · #4 07-21-2007, 06:03 PM

I would use a 70w MH or a 150w HQI.

dockrat · #5 08-08-2007, 06:30 PM

I use a 70w 1400K on my 10g frag tank mostly zoos but there is a few SPS frags in there... I think the 150w might be a little bright for some zoos and palys...

midgetwaiter · #6 08-09-2007, 03:53 AM

I had a 150 on my 12g and didn't have any trouble with zoas or palys if I was careful in acclimating them. I used a pretty high k / low par bulb though. I looked at a 70w but IMO the bulb selection sucks in comparison.

dockrat · #7 08-09-2007, 10:44 PM

I agree with you there... the bulb selection sucks for the 70w but i had all the stuff laying around... if i was going to keep sps i would put on a 150 for sure... it was a heat issuse for me the 150 was just to warm even in the cold months (i keep it in a closet) because all my avalible wall space is taken up by my other aquariums and huge TV... I need a bigger place for my tanks

fkshiu · #8 08-09-2007, 11:26 PM

There's nobody stopping you from putting a 1000W MH on top of the 10 gallon, but the law of diminshing returns and heat issues probably dictate that 150W MHs are as much as reasonably possible.

TJSlayer · #9 03-23-2008, 06:25 PM

I have an incadescent hood with aluminum refectors and picked up 2 coralife 20 watt mini compact flourecent 50/50 bulbs.

10,000k/Actinic

Looks good and was only about $45 complete

May not be the best but works and provides 4 watts per gallon....

kwirky · #10 03-31-2008, 06:18 AM

just run a 400W 20k bulb like some of the guys on the nano forums do. You'd evaporate your entire tank each day but think of the SPS you could keep! lol