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Frag tank lighting


Stu

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After putting it off for too long, I am ready to install some lighting and get my little frag tank going. Here are some pics from the tank build:

 

gallery_2631560_644_301065.jpg

 

gallery_2631560_644_1082844.jpg

 

I have an IceCap 660 that I will be using to light it. Currently I have 6 20" t5s over my display in a Nova Extreme Pro. It provides plenty of light and I am getting really good color and growth now that the tank's been up for a few months. I am wondering how many t5s I should put over the frag tank. Because it's tight quarters, I'm going to have to go with the 20" bulbs. I am thinking 3 bulbs, 2 actinics and 1 10k with a reflector. The lamps will only be about 5" above the tank and I'm thinking I can use screen to shade LPS, softies, etc. if it's too intense.

 

Will this be enough lighting or do I need to go with more bulbs?

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How wide and deep is the tank? It looks like three would be over kill. One may actually be enough since it looks very shallow.

 

It's about 7" x 7".

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7x7 with a 20" bulb??

 

Ive seen small T5 pendants before, but cant find it now for the life of me. They looked to be about 1/4 the length of your typical T5 bulb.

 

Im about to setup a 16x16x8 frag tank and will prolly use a 250W MH Pendant. Or whatever I can find used for cheap :)

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7x7 with a 20" bulb??

 

Ive seen small T5 pendants before, but cant find it now for the life of me. They looked to be about 1/4 the length of your typical T5 bulb.

 

Im about to setup a 16x16x8 frag tank and will prolly use a 250W MH Pendant. Or whatever I can find used for cheap :)

 

The tank is 7" x 7" x ~20". I'm just going to use the same bulbs that are in my light fixture:

 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=c...&sa=title#p

 

I'm retrofitting, not looking for a fixture. Current USA is unfortunately the only manufacturer that makes this size bulbs, and 24" bulbs won't fit under there. I have still gotten really good color and growth with them though. I don't want to do a mh because it will create a furnace in my stand.

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Bare bottom with an eggcrate rack? Corals will probably only be 5" below the water's surface. I would try just two bulbs and adjust the photo period.

 

For sure bare bottom and I may make an acrylic rack secured with magnets, just for maintenance sake. I guess 2 bulbs would be good with maybe a 10hr. actinic and 7 hour 10k photoperiod.

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