Light suggestions?

bugabugirl · 06-20-2008, 11:01 PM

I am ready to buy the lights for my new reef tank.. It's a 30 gallon cube.

I am looking at 20" fixtures...

I am leaning towards a SunPod 14,000K HQI Metal Halide Light 150W..

I am hoping this tank will be for LPS, softies and zoos. I'm not thinking I would want clams/or SPS.

Anyone have pro's or con's to my Sunpod choice? Do you think I would need to get a chiller? I have read how Halides run hot...

I appreciate your opinions!!

Here's what tank looks like width at top aprox 20" height 20"

GSELLERS · 06-20-2008, 11:02 PM

Sunpod Will Be Perfect....great Choice
You Shouldnt Need A Chiller, But Maybe A Tiny Fan

BigAl07 · 06-20-2008, 11:05 PM

Halides are notorious for creating HUGE amounts of heat. If the tank is ran topless heat may not "build up" but the only way to know is either talk to someone with your exact set up or TRY it.

If you can find a quality fixture of T5's that's how I would go. So much more versatility in bulb selection, less expense to replace bulbs, less electricity consumed, less heat generated. It's like a WIN-Win-WIN-Win situation.

Really it boils down to the "Look" you're after and what pleases you.

bugabugirl · 06-20-2008, 11:13 PM

Thanks for your responses..

If I wanted to look at T-5's, are there similar fixtures like a sunpod or do you have to buy a ballast and try to get a way to hang it over the top?

GSELLERS · 06-20-2008, 11:15 PM

they have fixtures but IMO the sunpod will be best for sps and clams.
google tek t5 lighting

bugabugirl · 06-20-2008, 11:31 PM

smallest light fixture I can find is 24" for T-5 .. can I make it fit on a 20" tank?

Have you seen it smaller?

I will keep reading up on it but thought maybe someone knows?

GSELLERS · 06-20-2008, 11:33 PM

thats why i strongly recomend a sunpod...20" is a wierd size

BigAl07 · 06-20-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugabugirl

......I'm not thinking I would want clams/or SPS. ....

I am running a 24" fixture over top of my 20" 10 AGA tank. It gives GREAT wall to wall coverage because the bulbs don't go to the ENDS of a fixture. This way it's FULL bulbs OVEr the tank but you have to understand it's got a "Utility" look to it. But man it gives SWEET light penetration with full bulbs. But mine is a frag tank and PC bulbs....

bugabugirl · 06-21-2008, 12:22 AM

Hi Big Al,
I quickly went through your link on 20" tank, I was hoping to see a full tank shot of your light? I see the tip of it. Do you have one ? I'm just curious what it looks like?

You didn't have to do any mods to it to make it fit ?

I have been thinking I was stuck with 20" fixtures but if 24" is workable that may be a better choice for me with the T-5's

thanks!

Frankie · 06-21-2008, 12:45 AM

I agree with Al. The sunpod is going to raise the temperature a lot on that size tank. I personally like MH's over T5's but you will need a chiller possibly. It will cost a lot less to run the T5's. Have you looked into LED's? I am not to sure if they come that small. Might want to look into that. Then you will be able to keep anything and not deal with a heating issue.

dobejazz · 06-21-2008, 12:50 AM

I have that sunpod fixture over my 24g nano cube
I have had no issues with heat and actually needed to add a heater since the tank is running cooler with the lights higher off the water and no hood anymore

I do have mine hanging fom the ceiling so heat may be an issue if you are placing it on the tank

Frankie · 06-21-2008, 12:55 AM

Well that is promising then Kelli.

dobejazz · 06-21-2008, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Well that is promising then Kelli.

It just depends on so many factors - our house is kept pretty cool and as I said the lights are hanging about 8" from the water

kapu · 06-23-2008, 08:38 PM

I recently bought a 34g Solana cube with a 20" 250W Sunpod. I just started a chronicle thread for this tank: 34 gal. Solana cube by kapu

The tank is open, and my only cooling is a back-mounted fan on a temp controller. Heat is no problem so far, though it is still pretty cool here in the Pacific NW. We will see how things go during our 6 wk. summer that starts in about 3 weeks. No AC here. Evaporative cooling really does work if you get enough air flow across the tank surface.

Beyond intensity, one big advantage of the 250W Sunpod over the 150W is it has a remote ballast for heat reduction. The light canopy still has a cooling fan of it's own. If you can run an open tank, I think the Sunpod is a great option. It does come with a hanging kit if you want to move it higher above your tank than the 4" mounting legs.

06-20-2008, 11:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
bugabugirl Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 14 View Gallery Karma Komment	Light suggestions? I am ready to buy the lights for my new reef tank.. It's a 30 gallon cube. I am looking at 20" fixtures... I am leaning towards a SunPod 14,000K HQI Metal Halide Light 150W.. I am hoping this tank will be for LPS, softies and zoos. I'm not thinking I would want clams/or SPS. Anyone have pro's or con's to my Sunpod choice? Do you think I would need to get a chiller? I have read how Halides run hot... I appreciate your opinions!! Here's what tank looks like width at top aprox 20" height 20"

06-20-2008, 11:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
GSELLERS Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: BRANDON FLORIDA Posts: 700 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? Sunpod Will Be Perfect....great Choice You Shouldnt Need A Chiller, But Maybe A Tiny Fan

06-20-2008, 11:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 11,496 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Light suggestions? Halides are notorious for creating HUGE amounts of heat. If the tank is ran topless heat may not "build up" but the only way to know is either talk to someone with your exact set up or TRY it. If you can find a quality fixture of T5's that's how I would go. So much more versatility in bulb selection, less expense to replace bulbs, less electricity consumed, less heat generated. It's like a WIN-Win-WIN-Win situation. Really it boils down to the "Look" you're after and what pleases you. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

06-20-2008, 11:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
bugabugirl Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 14 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? Thanks for your responses.. If I wanted to look at T-5's, are there similar fixtures like a sunpod or do you have to buy a ballast and try to get a way to hang it over the top?

06-20-2008, 11:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
GSELLERS Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: BRANDON FLORIDA Posts: 700 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? they have fixtures but IMO the sunpod will be best for sps and clams. google tek t5 lighting

06-20-2008, 11:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
bugabugirl Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 14 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? smallest light fixture I can find is 24" for T-5 .. can I make it fit on a 20" tank? Have you seen it smaller? I will keep reading up on it but thought maybe someone knows?

06-20-2008, 11:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
GSELLERS Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: BRANDON FLORIDA Posts: 700 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? thats why i strongly recomend a sunpod...20" is a wierd size

06-21-2008, 12:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
bugabugirl Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 14 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? Hi Big Al, I quickly went through your link on 20" tank, I was hoping to see a full tank shot of your light? I see the tip of it. Do you have one ? I'm just curious what it looks like? You didn't have to do any mods to it to make it fit ? I have been thinking I was stuck with 20" fixtures but if 24" is workable that may be a better choice for me with the T-5's thanks!

06-21-2008, 12:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,105 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Light suggestions? I agree with Al. The sunpod is going to raise the temperature a lot on that size tank. I personally like MH's over T5's but you will need a chiller possibly. It will cost a lot less to run the T5's. Have you looked into LED's? I am not to sure if they come that small. Might want to look into that. Then you will be able to keep anything and not deal with a heating issue. __________________ Click here to visit my thread: New Horizons Text Is a Poor Form Of Communication! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

06-21-2008, 12:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,246 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? I have that sunpod fixture over my 24g nano cube I have had no issues with heat and actually needed to add a heater since the tank is running cooler with the lights higher off the water and no hood anymore I do have mine hanging fom the ceiling so heat may be an issue if you are placing it on the tank __________________ Kelli

06-21-2008, 12:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,105 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Light suggestions? Well that is promising then Kelli. __________________ Click here to visit my thread: New Horizons Text Is a Poor Form Of Communication! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

06-23-2008, 08:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
kapu Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Light suggestions? I recently bought a 34g Solana cube with a 20" 250W Sunpod. I just started a chronicle thread for this tank: 34 gal. Solana cube by kapu The tank is open, and my only cooling is a back-mounted fan on a temp controller. Heat is no problem so far, though it is still pretty cool here in the Pacific NW. We will see how things go during our 6 wk. summer that starts in about 3 weeks. No AC here. Evaporative cooling really does work if you get enough air flow across the tank surface. Beyond intensity, one big advantage of the 250W Sunpod over the 150W is it has a remote ballast for heat reduction. The light canopy still has a cooling fan of it's own. If you can run an open tank, I think the Sunpod is a great option. It does come with a hanging kit if you want to move it higher above your tank than the 4" mounting legs.

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