Lighting

[cweber]

Hi to my new CR family. First of all ive skimmed throuhg the site and already love it. I think i will get most of my questions answered. Im wanting to start a nano. CF is kind of frowned on it seems. And i dont know if i can swing MH, im looking into a diy mh. Can anyone give any info on t-5, pros and cons vs. mh. Thanks

Cory

[jojo22]

what are you planning to keep??? that will help a lot with lighting requirements. also what size tank as nano tanks are up to 30 gallons.

[cweber]

Actually, if you dont mind, I will be kind of mimicing your setup. Two tens. I liked the corals you replied about, i think they were brains, and polyps,(are these what everyone calls "zoos"), and some shrooms. The reason im not converting my 55 is, not only higher startup cost but higher monthly cost. I also have a 29 laying around. What would some of you suggest? The 10 or go for the 29.

[jojo22]

I would do the 29 with the 2 10 gal tanks as a sump and refuge. Might be a little tricky to set up at first but would definetly pay off in the end. Just be sure that you have NEVER used any copper meds in the tank as it will kill your inverts coral and live rock. If you are not sure then you could easily pick up 2 new 10 gals for $20. as for lighting I love the DIY MH set up I bought of Dakar and after seeing it I'm sure you could produce one if you are even mildly DIY capable. It would only cost you about 20 or 30 bux more than a good pc fixture and you will be able to keep almost anything you want.

BTW: Imitation is the greatest form of compliment so if you want to try and copy my tank then you better get to the LFS and get some rock!!!!!!! J/K do your research first and take your time, you will be much better off in the end and your reef will look much nicer.

[Sweetpea]

I would do the 29 with the 2 10 gal tanks as a sump and refuge.
BIG DITTO to that!!! You'd have 49 gallons of volume and only have to worry about lighting the display (lighting the fuge is no biggie). I don't recall hearing of anyone doing something quite like this (well, in the 1.5 years I've been doing SW), and it sounds like a really fun project!!!

[cweber]

That was my first plan. Im not saying i know a lot, but ive been doing research fo rmy ideas for 3 months. Yes im pretty handy,im kindof redoing our house plus i weld part time,so i think i might be able to handle it. I think i will do this idea, i was going to get my plumbing and stuff for stand this weekend. If you want i will try and do step by step.

[Sweetpea]

If you want i will try and do step by step.
Please do! First of all, your documentation might be a big help to another member who wants to try a similar set-up! Secondly, we all would LOVE to see your progress! :-D

[cweber]

Cool, I will take pics as soon as i get started. What lighting should i use over a 29?

[Sweetpea]

It really depends on what you want to keep. Are there any corals that you've seen and thought, "Oooh, I've got to get one of those!" ???

[cweber]

Zoos are probly my favorite(probly pretty basic to), and some brain corals, and shrooms.

[Sweetpea]

Any interest in SPS corals, like acropora or something similar, at all?

[cweber]

I like a few acros but arent they harder to keep?

[Sweetpea]

They will need more intense lighting that shrroms and zoos would need. I kept some acroporas and montiporas under T5s w/ IceCap 660 ballast (and saw growth) in a 20g tank. I personally would recommend going with the best lighting set-up that you can possibly afford. There's nothing quite as frustrating as buying equipment and then deciding that you "need" to upgrade a few months later. Save your money and get the best up front! ;)

[jojo22]

If you want i will try and do step by step.

If you don't I will be forced to come stay with you for an extended visit and take pics myself!!!!!!!

[cweber]

haha that might not be a bad idea. i can soak up some exp. well i guess im gonna do a new drawing of my stand tonight and figure out my new plumbing setup. so what would be the best thing and i will see what i can afford. i assume 150 watt halide?

[jojo22]

How long is the 29??? A single halide will cover 2 feet of surface area. also how deep because that will be a big factor in how much wattage you need.

[Sweetpea]

Over-driven T5s did really well for me, and they have the added benefit of lighting the full length of the bulb/tank. Mhs are more of a point source light, but they are fabulous. Plus, everyone loves the "shimmer" effect. I have fallen in love with the way the tank looks with MHs!

[cweber]

what about 24" 96 watt nova extreme t-5 on foster smith for $160?

[jojo22]

Lights are a lot like a used car. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!! My best peice of advice to you would be to look at pics here and ask what certin corals are so that you can ask and research what will or won't go together and then after you have a stocking list or at least know the general type of corals you want start looking at lighting.

Also if you can DIY then you should DIY. for 160 bux you could build a t-5 setup and have it configured in a canopy the way you want not they way that is easiest to mass manufacture.

[cweber]

Way ahead of you bro. this is what i wanted for the ten plus a few.

red shroom
blue shroom
green floues shroom
orange spot colony polyp
button polyp
super color poyp
pinapple brain coral
moonstone brain
maze brain

[jojo22]

Ok with the brains I would suggest , and this is only my suggestion, MH you are a beginning reefer and there is nothing wrong with that but there are many things to watch with corals. If you jump out of the gate with power packed deeper penetrating light you will not have to worry as much about where you place the corals. Of cource you still need to research and put them in the best spot available in your tank but IMO brains under T-5's isn't worth it when you can diy a halide setup with t-5 suppliments if you wanted for a decient price. SAVE THE MONEY AND DO IT NOW!!!! Otherwise you will upgade later and the old lighting will have been a waste.

I say this as I look at the 96Wquad pc fixture that bobert is buying off of me for a third of what I paid for it.

[cweber]

so should i look at 70watt or 150 watt?

[jojo22]

How deep is the tank??? If you would like to keep all the more light demanding corals up top and shrooms and zoos down bottom I would say 70 if you want to mix it up a little then I would go with 150

[Sweetpea]

I'd go 150...

[cweber]

29 gallon is 30l 12d 18t

so are shrooms and zoos considered lower light corals?

[jojo22]

I'd go 150 and you will be fine. If you get the 14K bulbs you could go with the coralife fixture and it mounts on the tank so there would be no, or minimal heat issues.

[cweber]

cool. well im gonna run for the night. i will probly have some ques tommorw. i will be busy studying during work.hehe (as long as i dont get caught)

[jojo22]

Have fun and dream salty dreams!!!!!!

[cweber]

So will a screw type halide bulb work in a normal socket, then just wire the ballast and make a reflector?

[jojo22]

Nope I would get a metal halide mongule socket. It is the right part for the job and they are not that expensive.

[cweber]

Ok, ive looked at a few ballasts, im gonna check ebay tonight. How should i plumb the three tanks? Im thinking one on top of the other, 29 overflows to fuge, fuge over flows to sump, with one return pump. Or maybe each ten has its own overflow and pump? Whatever the layout im hoping to get the wood friday, so opinions are needed. Thanks

Cory

[jojo22]

I would t the return line to the fuge and then have that overflow into the sump that way you can have less flow thru the fuge!!

[cweber]

Well i went to lowes last night, and they have 1 metal halide bulb but no ballasts or anything else. They havent even heard of mh. I found some ballasts on ebay. Anyone have any input on what to look for in a ballast? I found them from $25-$$$$. Do i need screw type or double ended? Also the only wattages i found were 100 and 175. I havent come across many 100 or 175 watt aqua bulbs though.

[jojo22]

look at www.myreefshop.com the guy that owns that is perpetual98 on this forum.

As for ballasts I prefer electric.

[cweber]

Thanks for the link.

Off topic, but this is cool. Im siting outin the middle of nowhere in my truck right now. Technology just amazes me.

[cweber]

(http://cgi.ebay.com/Metal-Halide-Ballast-175W-bulb-Saltwater-aquarium_W0QQitemZ330092279549QQihZ014QQcategoryZ4 6314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Would this be a good deal?

[cweber]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-100watt-ADVANCE-METAL-HALIDE-MULTI-TAP-BALLAST-KIT_W0QQitemZ120092563710QQihZ002QQcategoryZ58144Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Metal-Halide-Ballast-175W-bulb-Saltwater-aquarium_W0QQitemZ330092279549QQihZ014QQcategoryZ4 6314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[iVgOnMaD]

If you want an economic MH setup, I know where you can get one for under $50, then you would just have to get the bulb of your choice.

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproducts.asp?subID=64&catID=27

[jojo22]

That does not include an enclosure or heatsink let alone anything to mount to. It would be cheaper and probably safer to buy a ballast made for aquariums IMO!

[cweber]

Im trying some of my resources for ballasts. I found one that does 70-100watts for $150, but thats to much. Im not as ready for lights as i thought. Some of the wood for my stand is warped. I dont have the tools to fix it. Im going to see about building a steel stand instead. I have access to the tools and expert knowledge of doing the task. Im kindof bummed but oh well, tommorow is a new day.

Cory

[jojo22]

If you go steel plan on powdercoating it before set up. Saltwater will eat that up in no time so the powdercoating will be key.

[cweber]

Will paint not work? I will have to check into that. I new a guy that did powdercoat but havnt been around in a whille.

[jojo22]

Paint is a toss up. If you prep right and make sure there is no oil or rust on the metal it could work if you go that route use POR 15. It works great for what it is made to do.

[spookey]

u could try to use a rust coating paint frist that may help .. that just me talking ...

chris

[jojo22]

POR 15 is made to stop and prevent rust in high risk areas in cars. Like the battery tray and stuff like that but I really do suggest powdercoating.

[cweber]

Thanks guys I will check it out.

[stevebla]

I am doing research on lighting myself, and t5 people are very keen on Individual reflectors