Lighting

[harial]

The tank I got as a gift has only one light on it and I am not sure that it is enough.

The light is a "Coralife" 50/50 that is 18 inches with 15 watts and a 360 degreee output. It is flourecent.

My tank is a tall 25 gallon tank and I am worried that there aren't enough watts for the corals I hope to have one day.

I don't really want to replace the hood as it is the perfect size just maybe the bulb if it that big of a problem. Thanks.

thanks
Harial

 

[chrisrush]

Harial,
You are right about the amount of light. You might be able to retrofit a MH or T5's into that canopy and keep the same hood. With 18" length, you might be able to do some PC's also.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[harial]

What is MH, T5, and PC?

thanks

 

[raggedfinfirefish]

I'd go with T-5 man, Heres a pic of my tank on T-5.

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T-5 is a slimmer florecent and when paired with a parabolic reflector like most places sell, it rivals metal halide, you can place SPS higher up in the tank and clams at a medium hight. As you can see I'm haveing sucess with all LPS, softies and a BTA anenome. Heres a link to a thread on RC about it. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=446846&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 . Its a great device, I'd suggest T-5 icecap retro from reef geek.com heres a link to it. http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104426.html . That 2 bulb retro fit would be overdrivin to about 3 watts per gallon which is exactally what my tank and RJ's has. BUT, there is also a 4 bulb retro here, http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104427.html .
oh and one of the BEST things about t-5 is that it has to be replaced every 1.5 YEARS for the sunlight supply units and every 2 YEARS for the icecap which overdrives them to be stronger. I would HIGHLY suggest the 4 bulb icecap retro!

 

[harial]

crap. I just actually measured and looked at my tank

the outer rim of the frame at the top is 20 1/8 '' x 10 1/5 '' the inside is 19.5 x 9.75. The hood that came with it is only 19 inches across and barely sits on it. I am afraid that it will take very little jarring before it falls into the tank. I think it better to replace and not risk my tank later.

Any suggestions on what I can do on this problem?

sorry to be such a bother.
harial

 

[harial]

ya know what I talked to my friend(who bought and gave this stuff to me) and she told me that she would not be offended in the slightest if I traded all this stuff in and got a nano cube instead.


thankyou all for your help. I know I in my infinite cluelessness will need it again.
Harial

 

[melev]

@harial wrote:

You could make a collar that attaches to the base of the canopy, and the collar should be the correct dimension to hug the tank as originally intended.