T5s or MH for 12g NanoDX

K

kaledrina

I got a wonderful 12g NanoCube DX that has the ugliest lighting on it for now... I was thinking maybe making my own T5 or MH lighting for it (since that would run just as much as a new hood would pricewise) but really don't have any clue what type or ballast or bulb. I don't want to cook my corals, as tasty as they may be, or end up with lights that are too long. I was going to buy a $20 glass top and figured T5 lights, held up high enough, wouldn't boil the tank as long as a little fan is running under the lights to keep the heat down. If I chose MH I could simply have some sort of spotlight thing going on to minimize heat.

I really just have no clue as to the watts that I'd need and since I have a clam I want to steer clear of PC for now. Any suggestions? I don't need a whole fancy retrofit kit either (unless at the right price), just a suggestion for ballast size and how to mount it on the tank the prettiest. Thanks in advance
 
@texasschott wrote:
isnt the smallest t-5s length wise 24 inches? said:
I hope not, I wanted to do something more than PC for some small SPS corals. I really have no clue whatsoever. I've seen some really tiny lights at home depot that are supposedly T5s and with the increase in love for nano tanks I'm sure there may be something small. I've looked around and decided against MH though because of the heat.


I found T5 bulbs that are around 6" so I'm sure I can get something that'll work since the tank is 14"... The problem is finding a T5 bulb that can grow corals.
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jbj makes a great 150 watt metal halide that fits on nano cubes. It is called the viper. Not too expensive, maybe $150.00. Definately worth checking out. Would be all you need for clams.
 
I'd go with the K-2 viper as well. only the 70 watt. it's on a boom-style arm so that you can adjust the height off of the water. virtually no heat.
 
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