Planning new setup - Lights?

[btang]

Ok, I am helping a friend set up a 10 or 20 gallon nano tank.

When it comes to lights I have been getting different stories. I see lots of folks on the forums us MH lights. My local LFS tells me they are a overkill, will heat up the tank and will burn everything. Whats the real deal? I'm guessing that MH's are ok given the amount of folks using them here. Can you get a combo unit with MH and actinics for a 10 gallon. I do see 24'' ones but not 20'' ones.

[wharyat]

I think 36 watt pc's are 16"?
You could throw your own kit together 2x36 watt pc and a 70 watt MH.

There's also an 18" 96 watt PC.

[rmhuntley]

I"ve got a 70w MH over a 5.5g tank along w/ 2 32w actinic PCs. as long as you have some fans to cool it off and acclimate your coral to the new light, it should be fine

[jeepjon]

I use a Powerquad 96watt which fits over my 15 gallon tall (same dimensions as a 10 gallon, just taller). It is working great so far...you just won't be able to keep SPS deep in the tank with a powerquad. You probably won't be able to keep Clams, either. But clams can be a pain in a nano-reef anyway...so you're probably better off.

[menelaus22]

Check out aquatraders.com. They have some affordable MH options. I bought the 24 inch model and have been pretty pleased. Well, until I broke it. But, that's my fault.