Tek Lights and Eshopps skimmer on a 20G high tank

mkorolev · 07/09/2010, 01:30 PM

Hi all.

I have a EShopps 75 HOB skimmer on my 24"x12" 20 gallon tank.
I have been thinking of upgrading my lights from PCFs to T5s.
So far I've been looking at the tek 4 bulb fixtures, and probably the 48" fixture as there are 2 tanks side by side, plus it'll give me an option to upgrade in the future. From what I can read about them, the legs for the TEKs are good enough to suspend the lights about 6" above the top of the tank, however the flow adjuster pipe thing on the skimmer(no idea what it's really called) I think would be taller than the bottom clearance of the light fixture.
Hanging it from the ceiling is not an option as I really don't think the landlord would approve, and I would prefer to stay away from making holes in the walls as well.

Does anyone have a similar set up? Can the EShopps be modded to replace the adjuster pipe to be shorter?

tallreefguy · 07/09/2010, 06:45 PM

I don't know about the skimmer. I have a 4 bulb T5 on my 26 Bowfront. I just scooted the light a little forward to make it fit on top. I've also used a 250 watt halide on it too. Worked great!
If you were considering halides, you could get a pendant, and you could always use that on a bigger tank by getting another one...
I think having 2 side by side like that might look goofy. But yes, you could do that.

mkorolev · 07/09/2010, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the reply.
The problem with scooting it forward is that it wouldn't just be a little, but about 3"...which given the fixture's 12" width is about a quarter of a fixture, which i'm guessing is one full bulb just hanging off on the front of the tank. (not to mention I don't think the legs will attach in the front)
I'm worried about the heat with hallides. My room gets warm-ish as it is in the sumer, and I just think MH is unnecessary for a 20H tank. I do agree though that the re-usage factor makes it a good idea, but then it's still a matter of how to mount the pendant without putting holes in walls/ceiling.

I was actually looking into getting cheap t5 fixtures from fishneedit.com. Either 2x24" or a 48". They seem to be only 9" wide, which with the 3" dead space in the back would just come flush with the front of the tanks.
Does anyone have any good/bad reviews for them? How are the bulbs that the fixtures come with? Or should I replace the stock bulbs right away?

07/09/2010, 01:30 PM	#1
mkorolev Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FL Posts: 74	Tek Lights and Eshopps skimmer on a 20G high tank Hi all. I have a EShopps 75 HOB skimmer on my 24"x12" 20 gallon tank. I have been thinking of upgrading my lights from PCFs to T5s. So far I've been looking at the tek 4 bulb fixtures, and probably the 48" fixture as there are 2 tanks side by side, plus it'll give me an option to upgrade in the future. From what I can read about them, the legs for the TEKs are good enough to suspend the lights about 6" above the top of the tank, however the flow adjuster pipe thing on the skimmer(no idea what it's really called) I think would be taller than the bottom clearance of the light fixture. Hanging it from the ceiling is not an option as I really don't think the landlord would approve, and I would prefer to stay away from making holes in the walls as well. Does anyone have a similar set up? Can the EShopps be modded to replace the adjuster pipe to be shorter?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
20g high tank w canopy n stand & sunpod 24" workhorse 7 excalibur skimmer	sean2sean	Southern California Reefers	2	02/10/2010 04:04 AM
Looking for a 20g High tank for sump conversion	earthboy17	Greater San Francisco Bay Area Reef Forum	2	01/20/2008 11:31 AM
I need a 20g high tank, anyone have one laying around	flfirefighter13	Orlando Reef Caretakers Association (ORCA)	5	05/30/2007 07:43 PM
20g high tanks	amf82380	Capital District Marine Aquarist Society	0	12/13/2006 03:47 PM
Show me your 20g high tank !	shilo_1	Reef Discussion	4	06/11/2006 06:10 PM

07/09/2010, 06:45 PM	#2
tallreefguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 269	I don't know about the skimmer. I have a 4 bulb T5 on my 26 Bowfront. I just scooted the light a little forward to make it fit on top. I've also used a 250 watt halide on it too. Worked great! If you were considering halides, you could get a pendant, and you could always use that on a bigger tank by getting another one... I think having 2 side by side like that might look goofy. But yes, you could do that.

07/09/2010, 07:47 PM	#3
mkorolev Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FL Posts: 74	Thanks for the reply. The problem with scooting it forward is that it wouldn't just be a little, but about 3"...which given the fixture's 12" width is about a quarter of a fixture, which i'm guessing is one full bulb just hanging off on the front of the tank. (not to mention I don't think the legs will attach in the front) I'm worried about the heat with hallides. My room gets warm-ish as it is in the sumer, and I just think MH is unnecessary for a 20H tank. I do agree though that the re-usage factor makes it a good idea, but then it's still a matter of how to mount the pendant without putting holes in walls/ceiling. I was actually looking into getting cheap t5 fixtures from fishneedit.com. Either 2x24" or a 48". They seem to be only 9" wide, which with the 3" dead space in the back would just come flush with the front of the tanks. Does anyone have any good/bad reviews for them? How are the bulbs that the fixtures come with? Or should I replace the stock bulbs right away?