When I started off, I was thinking about another plant tank, but the corals my LFS has are amazing and I've always wanted a Reef tank (great, another expensive hobby I need to find time for :wink: ...)
So I'm looking to build a hood for the All-glass 5.5 and I've looked at both AH Supply (I've used them for my planted tanks) and Hellolights.com.
What I've found is that if I go with AHSupply, I'll have to use the 13W 50/50 lights because the 36 watt lights are almost two inches longer than the tank (thinking about four of them).
If I go with Hellolights, they have the 28 watt 50/50 lights, but the ballast is kinda steep (compared to AHSupply) and I'll still need to find a suitable reflector. One other option with Hellolights is the MH, but I'd have to go with either the 70 or 150W double ended (looks like a pain, and a lot of heat) or the 175W mogul (still, $$$ and a lot of heat). Also, I think MH may be over doing it for a 5G.
One other option I found at Petco was the 50/50 10W Coralife PCs with the built-in ballast (for direct screw in to 110V) - I was thinking I could fit 3-4 of these under the hood, but I still need a reflector.
As for what exactly I will be growing - I do not know yet... but I do not want to limit myself as I learn more about the "darkside" (Reef, vs. FW Plant tanks).
Thanks in advance,
- Jeff
So I'm looking to build a hood for the All-glass 5.5 and I've looked at both AH Supply (I've used them for my planted tanks) and Hellolights.com.
What I've found is that if I go with AHSupply, I'll have to use the 13W 50/50 lights because the 36 watt lights are almost two inches longer than the tank (thinking about four of them).
If I go with Hellolights, they have the 28 watt 50/50 lights, but the ballast is kinda steep (compared to AHSupply) and I'll still need to find a suitable reflector. One other option with Hellolights is the MH, but I'd have to go with either the 70 or 150W double ended (looks like a pain, and a lot of heat) or the 175W mogul (still, $$$ and a lot of heat). Also, I think MH may be over doing it for a 5G.
One other option I found at Petco was the 50/50 10W Coralife PCs with the built-in ballast (for direct screw in to 110V) - I was thinking I could fit 3-4 of these under the hood, but I still need a reflector.
As for what exactly I will be growing - I do not know yet... but I do not want to limit myself as I learn more about the "darkside" (Reef, vs. FW Plant tanks).
Thanks in advance,
- Jeff
