Metal Halides for my 12 gallon nano

[jdmneon]

hey I just purchased a standard 12 gallon Nano-cube and I was looking at lighting,I decided for better or worse that I'm going with metal halide. I've decided on the viper HQI clamp lamp and basically I'm trying to figure out what color temperature I want the bulbs and how powerful of a light I need

so basicly i'm deciding between
70 watt 14,000 Kelvin light
70 watt 10,000 Kelvin light
or 150 watt 20,000 Kelvin light
if necessary I would also be willing to do a 150 watt with less kelvins as well

I am keeping Acropora and all manner of SPS corals and probably a Crocea clam as well I also want to keep LPS, and soft corals in the tank, as well as an invertebrate or two and probably a small fish....

so whats the perfect light, I prefer a bluer spectrum, so i'm leaning towards at least a 14k light, ideally it would be 20,000 I don't know if 150 watts is overkill though and theres no 20,000K bulb for the 70 watt

so what would be my best bet considering price, heat, livestock, and color temperature?

thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[USMC81]

I am thinking about the same thing. I have a JBJ Nano-Cube 12 DX and currently trying to decide if I want to go with the Viper or a retro kit for the existing hood. I kind of like the hood on the tank, but the viper is less expensive. It will be interesting to see what the responses are on your question.

 

[flricordia]

Hello jdmneon. I am new here, just been lurking. I have a 20 cube with pendant HQI and it is great for my sps, clams, zoanthids and ricordias. I have an XM 15k 150wt. If you are not planning on actinics you might want to concider going with a 14k or 20k though the 20k is very blue. With 10k it is recommended you supplement actinic, I guess for the deeper water corals benifit. Also a 10k is more yellow and IMO corals don't flourescence as much.

USMC81. It might be better to go with the viper unless you plan on fish that are known jumpers. The issue with heat and hood is always a problem unless you use a chiller. But even with the Viper, at least with the 150, you might experiance heat problems in a 12gl. Yes, the retro kit is much higher than the Viper. I would personally go with a PFO Mini pendant. The size and light concentration would be perfect for a 12gl. If you can handle DIY you can get an electronic ballast from Ballastwise for about $60. This way you can raise and lower the pendant to ajust for corals acclimating to the brighter lighting and compensate for heat issues.

JMO, Mike

Here is a pic of my 20 under a PFO Mini and XM 15k. I kept it high till the yumas acclimated and lowered it adding a few sps.

 

[USMC81]

Mike, thanks for the input. I decided to go with a Sunpod HQI 70W 14,000k w/4 white led's and 4 blue led's. Found one on sale. That way it will be easier to get the remora skimmer unto the back of the tank. The light came in today at the office. I will get it on this evening after work.

Great looking tank. I need to re-arrange my rockscape. Mine looks like a rock pile.

Thanks,

USMC81

 

[flricordia]

I have a DIY clamp on 70wt 14k electronic ballast I just finished and was going to use on my 14gl but not going to set it up after all. It is unused if anyone is interested for their nano.

 

[simple]

how much are you asking for it?

 

[ChrisP]

USMC81. I have the Viper on my Aquapod 12 and it's working out well for me so far. I set up an 8" fan on a timer to blow across the top during the same hours that the Viper is on. Even with the Viper only 7" from the water surface, the fan has totally prevented any over-heating.

I'm also having problems choosing bulbs. The 150W Viper comes with a 14K JBL bulb, but, with no actinics, I didn't think my corals "glowed" like they should. I bought a 20K Hamilton, but didn't really notice much improvement. I just installed a 14K "generic" Ebay bulb. So far, it looks the best of the three. I've also heard great things from a number of forum sources about the Phoenix 14K as well as the 15K XM that flricordia has had good luck with.
Chris

 

[ArloGut]

I just purchase a Viper K-2 150W 1400 MH for my JBJ 12 gal. and i love it picked it up from PA they priced matched and received it in 1 day.

 

[Dryden234]

Please take a look at the Ecosystem Mini Halide. Superb product!