enough wattage?

menelaus22 · 01-24-2005, 02:11 AM

I'm just getting into the nano scene and was wondering what you think about this set-up

I have a 20 gallon and am creating a custom hood with 4 coralife 20w mini bulbs.

So that's about 4 watts per gallon. What won't I be able to maintain with that kind of wattage? What other type of affordable set-up can I create to get more watts?

I'd like to be able to keep a clam and maybe some varieties of hard coral. I love those bubbles too.

thanks

ofblong · 01-24-2005, 02:25 AM

for clams n such that isnt even close to enough wattage of pc to be able to keep them thriving. for the price of those pc's you might as well go with a 250w or 175w mh setup.

menelaus22 · 01-24-2005, 02:34 AM

bummer...

what's an alternative that's somewhat affordable to get the wattage that I need? How much wattage per gallong should I be aiming for? Any particular brand?

many thanks.

menelaus22 · 01-24-2005, 02:38 AM

btw... this is the same lights that i've already purchased

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=46314

ofblong · 01-24-2005, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by menelaus22

bummer...

what's an alternative that's somewhat affordable to get the wattage that I need? How much wattage per gallong should I be aiming for? Any particular brand?

many thanks.

wattage/gal is no longer usefull. If you cant afford mh you cant afford pc as mh retro kits are not much more than pc kits. those lights in the link above are barely enough to keep mushrooms and zoas.

mzzmorgan · 01-24-2005, 04:43 AM

I don't know about that... 80 watts over a 20 gal tank isn't lousy. Clams just happen to be about the most light sensitive creatures out there, but that doesn't mean you are restricted to housing mushrooms and zoos. Plan to spend about 100 bucks on a light set up, whether you are diy or buying a fancy pc.. Shop around and figure out which way you would like to go.

ofblong · 01-24-2005, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzzmorgan

I don't know about that... 80 watts over a 20 gal tank isn't lousy. Clams just happen to be about the most light sensitive creatures out there, but that doesn't mean you are restricted to housing mushrooms and zoos. Plan to spend about 100 bucks on a light set up, whether you are diy or buying a fancy pc.. Shop around and figure out which way you would like to go.

mh is the way I would like to go.

pHarsyde1 · 01-24-2005, 01:58 PM

Just to give you alittle idea about lighting, I have a 10 gal. nano with 110watts of pc lighting on it. I have one crocea clam that has been doing just fine in the tank. He has been in there for about a mounth and has had no problems whatsoever. I would recomend going pc on a 20 gal. You have to think about wether or not your going to upgrade to a larger tank at a later date though, then you might want to go and spend the money on a MH.

wharyat · 01-24-2005, 07:31 PM

I have a 20 gallon that I started with just 4 20 watt NO lights, I have since upgraded to 130 watts of pc and a 20 watts of NO actinic. I started a small maxima (about 1.25" at the time) under the NOs and it grew 1/8-1/4 inch, but I wouldnt recommend keeping larger clams under this low of lighting. Right now I have a few acros that have good color and growth. I recommend going with larger pc's, if you do it yourself you can do it for $100 or less.

wharyat · 01-24-2005, 07:32 PM

oh yeah, coralife pc's are the best imo

menelaus22 · 01-24-2005, 11:14 PM

Ok, what type of coralife lights are you running to get 120w on a 20 gallon.

I just bought 4 coralife mini compacts 50/50 20w and am going to build them into a custom hood. How can I get more juice?!

wharyat · 01-24-2005, 11:38 PM

I run 2 x coralife 21"@65 watt 50/50s on my 20.

Jeremiah · 01-24-2005, 11:52 PM

I had a nano setup and used those 20 watt screw in bulbs and I scrapped them within two weeks. IMO 1 65 watt bulb puts out more light then 4 of those. For about $113 ( http://hellolights.com/242xcoraqpch1.html ) you can get a 2x65 aqualight from hellolights.com Those screw in ones also put out a LOT of heat since the little ballast is in the socket.

Also consider the cost of replacing those bulbs. Those screw in ones don't last at all. ( I used the ones I had in my 5 gallon hex tank I used for my baby cichlids) I believe that those 20 watt screw in bulbs cost me about $20 a peice back when I bough them. That's $80 to replace the bulbs instead of the $40 it will cost for the aqualight. Plus they will last way longer then those screw in ones..

HTH...

menelaus22 · 01-25-2005, 01:00 AM

If I'm going to spend the 113, would it be a good idea to save up a tiny bit longer and get a MH set-up?

I was spec'ing them out today and it seems like I could get one for about 159?

ofblong · 01-25-2005, 04:12 AM

those 50/50 bulbs you bought are great for refugiums (well most refugiums). happyreefing.com has some nice mh setups but I cant remember the prices offhand.