Setup Discussion...

[Anonymous]

Would anyone like to continue with questions or comments regarding anything discussed last night? Filtration, lighting, general setup?

 

[BCinYa]

Actually, yes, I have a question... I am in the process of collecting all the bits I'd need to start my first Nano Reef Aquarium and am bewildered by the lighting choices. How does someone decipher the available options?

I am setting up a 5 gallon that is 12"across x 13" high x 7" front-back. I plan to have L-rock piled pretty high so I'll have a variety of light levels at different depths. The actual water volume will likely be closer to 4 gallons by the time I'm done (plus the water in the AC30 filter). I want to eventually have a few corals (easier to keep species), some inverts and a small fish.

Is there a 'best' type of light for this type of aquarium? One that won't put me in the poorhouse.

Any other suggestions or comments people have for setting up an aquarium like this would be appreciated!!

Thanks, Chris
BCinYa

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Chris,

I would either go with a PC fixture, a single or maybe multiple 32w bulbs, or perhaps consider an LED fixture which as I mentioned, I'm a bit out of the loop on with regard to progress in those fixtures.

You should be able to get a small PC fixture with 32w PC/Actinic bulb for well under $200.

On a tank this size, a single combination PC bulb mentioned above will work just fine . I had such a setup on my 7 gallon at it worked great, in fact at that time I was using a 24w fixture. The tank came with a standard light fixture, so I purchased a PC conversion kit from my LFS.

On a tank that size, the light is close enough to the water that 32, or even 24 watts is plenty for any low light coral that you care to keep.

 

[calming-creations]

Chris:

Give me a bit to look though my lighting manufactures to see what I can find. Lighting is a tricky subject when it comes to corals reef systems. I have many corals in my 12 G Aquapod that should require more intense lighting than my Power Compacts, but they look beautiful. If I remember correctly they are two (2) 27W Power Compacts with (2 or 3) LED Moonlights. I think the thing that makes my tank look so great is the fact that I have a couple mini powers heads that help feed the corals.

When I get back to the office on Monday I'll look for lighting fixtures as well as retro's that would work for your tank.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[BCinYa]

Thanks, CC!! The more info I can get the better. I'm already thinking about the next tank.

I ended up deciding that my lil 5g wasn’t gonna do it (mostly because I got a killer deal on 20lb of cured live rock and it just wouldn’t fit in there), so I dusted off an old 10g and bought a Coralife 96W 50/50. Seems to work well. That’s just about 10w per gallon!

There was a beige gelatinous mass on the Liverock I bought. I really didn’t think anything of it. I turned on the light and in a day and a half the mass has turned into a 4” finger leather coral [I think]. Cool bonus.

There is also a brittle star that came with the rock. I can’t find out exactly what species it is. It’s pale green with a small body [less than an inch across the body] and crazy long skinny legs [like 1/8” wide and 12” long. Hopefully, it’s not one that’ll eat other animals in the tank.

I’ll post some photos a little later.

Cheers, Chris
BCinYa