Nano Lighting - 20 Watts enough?

saltman123 · 08/06/2006, 10:56 PM

I am trying to start up my very first 5 gallon nano tank and am curious to know if 20 watts (2-10Watt bulbs) will be sufficient enough to keep live rock and some simple soft corals.

I am hoping to use 2-10watt coralife mini compact 50/50 lights.
50% 10,000K daylight
50% Actinic 03 Blue

Will these be sufficient enough? The tank is 5 gallons

I am trying to use what I have around rather than have to buy stuff so please let me know if you think this will cut it to get me started.

Thanks

smcdonn · 08/06/2006, 11:15 PM

You should be fine for just some soft corals.

sir_dudeguy · 08/06/2006, 11:20 PM

live rock doesnt need any light. a bunch of people assume it does, but it doesnt need any light to be live rock...it will need light to grow coraline tho.

but 20 watts should be good for some stuff like polyps, mushrooms, xenia (altho that might grow too fast and outgrow the tank lol) green star polyps (or any other star polyps for that matter) and stuff like that and you should be fine i'd think

hth
mike

saltman123 · 08/06/2006, 11:36 PM

Excellent,
Seems like it will me good enough for what I have in mind.

I am thinking some live rock, live sand, a few critters, and any type of polyps, and mushrooms that will work in the small tank.

Excited to get this party started!!!

jk

BORNTOFLY · 08/07/2006, 07:55 AM

I have a 10 gallon Nano and Run 10watts of 10k. It has been great for the last 4 years. I have some awsome mushrooms that have really bloomed. I started with 3 now I have 12. Do light change outs ever 6 to 12 months and you will see nice growth. One peice of advice if you put any fish in it watch your feeding as it is really easy to blow you nitrates sky high.

Rick

saltman123 · 08/07/2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BORNTOFLY
I have a 10 gallon Nano and Run 10watts of 10k. It has been great for the last 4 years. I have some awsome mushrooms that have really bloomed. I started with 3 now I have 12. Do light change outs ever 6 to 12 months and you will see nice growth. One peice of advice if you put any fish in it watch your feeding as it is really easy to blow you nitrates sky high.

Rick

I would love to see some pics of your tank

!!!!!
Do you have any online???

08/06/2006, 10:56 PM	#1
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Nano Lighting - 20 Watts enough? I am trying to start up my very first 5 gallon nano tank and am curious to know if 20 watts (2-10Watt bulbs) will be sufficient enough to keep live rock and some simple soft corals. I am hoping to use 2-10watt coralife mini compact 50/50 lights. 50% 10,000K daylight 50% Actinic 03 Blue Will these be sufficient enough? The tank is 5 gallons I am trying to use what I have around rather than have to buy stuff so please let me know if you think this will cut it to get me started. Thanks

08/06/2006, 11:15 PM	#2
smcdonn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 925	You should be fine for just some soft corals. __________________ 180g IN WALL, REEF Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

08/06/2006, 11:20 PM	#3
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	live rock doesnt need any light. a bunch of people assume it does, but it doesnt need any light to be live rock...it will need light to grow coraline tho. but 20 watts should be good for some stuff like polyps, mushrooms, xenia (altho that might grow too fast and outgrow the tank lol) green star polyps (or any other star polyps for that matter) and stuff like that and you should be fine i'd think hth mike __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/06/2006, 11:36 PM	#4
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Excellent, Seems like it will me good enough for what I have in mind. I am thinking some live rock, live sand, a few critters, and any type of polyps, and mushrooms that will work in the small tank. Excited to get this party started!!!jk __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

08/07/2006, 07:55 AM	#5
BORNTOFLY Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 112	I have a 10 gallon Nano and Run 10watts of 10k. It has been great for the last 4 years. I have some awsome mushrooms that have really bloomed. I started with 3 now I have 12. Do light change outs ever 6 to 12 months and you will see nice growth. One peice of advice if you put any fish in it watch your feeding as it is really easy to blow you nitrates sky high. Rick