Light choice for a 20 gallon Hex?

aschroeder · 03/13/2007, 04:07 PM

I bought a Sea Clear acrylic tank for my office that I'm setting up. I will be stocking it with live rock soon, but I first need to choose a lighting system. Because it's so narrow (15") I'm looking at the 12" 36w Power Compact by Coralife: http://www.hellolights.com/12aq2.html . Would this light be enough to grow mushrooms and polyps?

Another option is the hang on HQI light by Coralife: http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/aqadhatamo.html . Would this be overkill for this tank? I don't want to attempt any difficult coral that require high maintenance.

I could also use some advice on good corals for a small system like this. Thanks!

aschroeder · 03/13/2007, 09:36 PM

I'm planning to order my lights tomorrow, so any advice would be great. I know halides are normally overkill for a tank this small, but since it's 24" deep I wasn't sure. I'll be keeping mushrooms, so I'm worried the halide would be too much, but the Power Compacts wouldn't have enough watts.

Frick-n-Frags · 03/14/2007, 08:07 AM

I would get a small MH pendant and hang it down from the ceiling. round light pattern for a round(ish) tank
and perfect eye-pleasing symmetry. but that's just me.
that corallife thing looks like a kludge.

shrooms love HID light, obviously just not too much.

what I don't know is if they make 150/175 watt vertical mount bulbs? You probably could use a 250watt lamp and hang it higher. obviously, you wouldn't have to worry about max efficiency, so you can get a pretty blue one.

aschroeder · 03/14/2007, 08:31 AM

Thanks for the advice. I was worried a halide would be too much and burn the mushrooms. I was considering this pendant: http://www.hellolights.com/15hqicoaqpep.html . Essentially the same light as the hang-on, in a pendant style.

The problem is I won't be able to mount to my ceiling since it's 10 foot high and made of metal. But I do have some ideas to make it work.

I have one question about pendant wiring. The wire runs up to the ceiling, but where do you go from there? Do I just run it down the wall to the ballast?

aschroeder · 03/14/2007, 10:46 AM

By the way, here is the hexagon tank I'm purchasing lighting for:

http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...xt=hexagon&N=2

03/13/2007, 04:07 PM	#1
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	Light choice for a 20 gallon Hex? I bought a Sea Clear acrylic tank for my office that I'm setting up. I will be stocking it with live rock soon, but I first need to choose a lighting system. Because it's so narrow (15") I'm looking at the 12" 36w Power Compact by Coralife: http://www.hellolights.com/12aq2.html . Would this light be enough to grow mushrooms and polyps? Another option is the hang on HQI light by Coralife: http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/aqadhatamo.html . Would this be overkill for this tank? I don't want to attempt any difficult coral that require high maintenance. I could also use some advice on good corals for a small system like this. Thanks!

03/14/2007, 08:07 AM	#3
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	I would get a small MH pendant and hang it down from the ceiling. round light pattern for a round(ish) tank and perfect eye-pleasing symmetry. but that's just me. that corallife thing looks like a kludge. shrooms love HID light, obviously just not too much. what I don't know is if they make 150/175 watt vertical mount bulbs? You probably could use a 250watt lamp and hang it higher. obviously, you wouldn't have to worry about max efficiency, so you can get a pretty blue one. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

03/13/2007, 09:36 PM	#2
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	I'm planning to order my lights tomorrow, so any advice would be great. I know halides are normally overkill for a tank this small, but since it's 24" deep I wasn't sure. I'll be keeping mushrooms, so I'm worried the halide would be too much, but the Power Compacts wouldn't have enough watts.

03/14/2007, 08:31 AM	#4
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	Thanks for the advice. I was worried a halide would be too much and burn the mushrooms. I was considering this pendant: http://www.hellolights.com/15hqicoaqpep.html . Essentially the same light as the hang-on, in a pendant style. The problem is I won't be able to mount to my ceiling since it's 10 foot high and made of metal. But I do have some ideas to make it work. I have one question about pendant wiring. The wire runs up to the ceiling, but where do you go from there? Do I just run it down the wall to the ballast?

03/14/2007, 10:46 AM	#5
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	By the way, here is the hexagon tank I'm purchasing lighting for: http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...xt=hexagon&N=2