MH / T5 / LED for 12gal NANO??? advice

AMAYEU · 04/07/2010, 10:36 AM

Hi,

I have 12 gallon nano with stock CP lights 24w. I am looking to remove the top built in hood.

I am leaning towards a Sunpod with a USHIO 20k MH fixture Thoughts? Will there be a tremendous amount of heat? I live in San Francisco with constant cool temps. Should I cut a piece of plexi to cover the tank (between the top waterline and MH fixture)?

The MH is in my price range of used products, but how about t5's and LED fixtures.

Thanks for the help.

solitude127 · 04/07/2010, 10:45 AM

I'm in the same boat. I went with the JBJ Viper so that I can adjust the height of the fixture. I don't know if I'd like my fixture to be that close and with no ability to adjust the height, it might start to bleach the corals. I have mine right now about 12" from the surface of the water and all my corals (sps and lps) are doing great. Going hoodless on my nano is probably one of the best things I've done.

pech29 · 04/07/2010, 10:50 AM

I had a 70W MH sunpod over my 12 gal open top tank and never had any issues. Worst case, you could get an azoo fan for some air movement.

AMAYEU · 04/07/2010, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the replies.

How about a piece of plexi/acrylic to cover the tank right on the lid? Is it necessary? I would have less evap. I do not mind topping off. Just looking at safety!

Lastly, is there a big increase of energy from stock CP usage compared to MH usage. Runngin 2x24watt CP and anticipate a 20k MH. I am a nob with lighting and electrical issues. Reason- my landlord pays for my electricity and don't want him to complain on the increase in the bill. Sneaking by without rent going up.

solitude127 · 04/07/2010, 11:24 AM

With MH, there are different wattages. With your current setup, you're consuming 48 watts (24 x 2bulbs) with MH, there are 70w, 150w, 250w and 400w. For your 12 gallon, I wouldn't go bigger than 150w.

AMAYEU · 04/07/2010, 11:38 AM

Duh... ok, that makes sense.... going from 48 watt to 70watt. time to start turning the lights to everything... hahaha

Thanks!

solitude127 · 04/07/2010, 11:47 AM

Make sure that bulb you want comes in the 70w version. There is pretty limited selection when it comes to 70w bulbs.

DustnF · 04/07/2010, 12:30 PM

LED is the best lighting option for nanos imho. For ~$300 you can get an array that will put out more light then you will ever need, have complete control over color temp by having independently controllable/dimmable blues and white, have no heat issues, and no bulbs to replace for ~10 yrs.

AMAYEU · 04/07/2010, 12:45 PM

Well, someone just got the Sunpod before I could buy. Sux! 100 bucks too.

So back to square one. Does anyone know of any good deals on mounting fixtures for nano's ... looking at 16"-20".. in MH or now LED? Websites or suppliers?

My price range is 100-200.

Thanks

04/07/2010, 10:36 AM	#1
AMAYEU Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 856	MH / T5 / LED for 12gal NANO??? advice Hi, I have 12 gallon nano with stock CP lights 24w. I am looking to remove the top built in hood. I am leaning towards a Sunpod with a USHIO 20k MH fixture Thoughts? Will there be a tremendous amount of heat? I live in San Francisco with constant cool temps. Should I cut a piece of plexi to cover the tank (between the top waterline and MH fixture)? The MH is in my price range of used products, but how about t5's and LED fixtures. Thanks for the help.

04/07/2010, 10:45 AM	#2
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	I'm in the same boat. I went with the JBJ Viper so that I can adjust the height of the fixture. I don't know if I'd like my fixture to be that close and with no ability to adjust the height, it might start to bleach the corals. I have mine right now about 12" from the surface of the water and all my corals (sps and lps) are doing great. Going hoodless on my nano is probably one of the best things I've done. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

04/07/2010, 11:24 AM	#5
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	With MH, there are different wattages. With your current setup, you're consuming 48 watts (24 x 2bulbs) with MH, there are 70w, 150w, 250w and 400w. For your 12 gallon, I wouldn't go bigger than 150w. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

04/07/2010, 11:47 AM	#7
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Make sure that bulb you want comes in the 70w version. There is pretty limited selection when it comes to 70w bulbs. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

04/07/2010, 10:50 AM	#3
pech29 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 53	I had a 70W MH sunpod over my 12 gal open top tank and never had any issues. Worst case, you could get an azoo fan for some air movement.

04/07/2010, 11:06 AM	#4
AMAYEU Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 856	Thanks for the replies. How about a piece of plexi/acrylic to cover the tank right on the lid? Is it necessary? I would have less evap. I do not mind topping off. Just looking at safety! Lastly, is there a big increase of energy from stock CP usage compared to MH usage. Runngin 2x24watt CP and anticipate a 20k MH. I am a nob with lighting and electrical issues. Reason- my landlord pays for my electricity and don't want him to complain on the increase in the bill. Sneaking by without rent going up.

04/07/2010, 11:38 AM	#6
AMAYEU Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 856	Duh... ok, that makes sense.... going from 48 watt to 70watt. time to start turning the lights to everything... hahaha Thanks!

04/07/2010, 12:30 PM	#8
DustnF Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 172	LED is the best lighting option for nanos imho. For ~$300 you can get an array that will put out more light then you will ever need, have complete control over color temp by having independently controllable/dimmable blues and white, have no heat issues, and no bulbs to replace for ~10 yrs.

04/07/2010, 12:45 PM	#9
AMAYEU Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 856	Well, someone just got the Sunpod before I could buy. Sux! 100 bucks too. So back to square one. Does anyone know of any good deals on mounting fixtures for nano's ... looking at 16"-20".. in MH or now LED? Websites or suppliers? My price range is 100-200. Thanks