Lighting advice for 10G

reiters · 04/08/2014, 09:08 PM

I am starting a new glass 10 gallon tank. Plan on a pair of perc clowns, a few cleanup crew, and some softies. I am very much a DIY guy and also kinda cheap.

I purchased 3w LEDs to build the hood. I have a 1/4" thick aluminum plate to go over the tank with the LEDs mounted. My question is what colors. I purchased a mixture of colors. After further reading I don't think I need anything over 10k due to how shallow 10g is. I was thinking of using 15 LEDs at 3w each but make them dimable. Here is the pattern I am thinking of using.

10 AC 10 AC 10
10 10 AC 10 10
10 AC 10 AC 10

10 = 10k and AC = actinic. I have other colors (3500, 5000, 6000, 15k and 20k) I just dont plan on installing them.

I have 20lbs of sand and 22lbs of dry rock and 2 lbs live rock. I am using a HOB filter that moves 350 GPH. Have a 50w (I think it is) heater.

Does anyone see any major flaws in my thinking? What about the lighting for the future plans I have. Once I get softies in there I may DIY a small skimmer. Tank is in the process of it's first cycle now so it'll be a while before anything gets put in.

04/08/2014, 09:08 PM	#1
reiters Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 14	Lighting advice for 10G I am starting a new glass 10 gallon tank. Plan on a pair of perc clowns, a few cleanup crew, and some softies. I am very much a DIY guy and also kinda cheap. I purchased 3w LEDs to build the hood. I have a 1/4" thick aluminum plate to go over the tank with the LEDs mounted. My question is what colors. I purchased a mixture of colors. After further reading I don't think I need anything over 10k due to how shallow 10g is. I was thinking of using 15 LEDs at 3w each but make them dimable. Here is the pattern I am thinking of using. 10 AC 10 AC 10 10 10 AC 10 10 10 AC 10 AC 10 10 = 10k and AC = actinic. I have other colors (3500, 5000, 6000, 15k and 20k) I just dont plan on installing them. I have 20lbs of sand and 22lbs of dry rock and 2 lbs live rock. I am using a HOB filter that moves 350 GPH. Have a 50w (I think it is) heater. Does anyone see any major flaws in my thinking? What about the lighting for the future plans I have. Once I get softies in there I may DIY a small skimmer. Tank is in the process of it's first cycle now so it'll be a while before anything gets put in.