lighting for my nano

[stevelkaneval]

i picked up my nano yesterday and the guy i got it from has the stock pc lights in it would it be overkill to put a 150 watt mh on it or could i keep most every coral with a 70 watt?

[stevelkaneval]

heat is not an issue im going topless and i also got a chiller from yhe guy he was going to do mh but never got to it so the chiller is brand new never hooked up and i wanted to keep a good mix of sps,lps.shrooms,and some really bright zoas maybe 1 or 2 really small clowns or tiny gobeis what do you guys think?

[reefer madness]

I used a 70W MH light over mine and had a LTA that recovered from bleaching under that light in a Nano. It had bleached in someone else's tank and was completely white when she gave it to me to see what I could do with it. It recovered nicely.

With an MH in that small of a tank you need to keep an eye on temps and have a fan on standby as it will overheat quite quickly and keep up the top-offs with fresh ro/di which will be quite substantial for a small tank.

[stevelkaneval]

any suggestions on a good small auto topoff? i have two small fans with a automatic turn on that i used to have on my home theater. the fans are connected to a thermostat the i could stick in one of the back sections.

[reefer madness]

any suggestions on a good small auto topoff? i have two small fans with a automatic turn on that i used to have on my home theater. the fans are connected to a thermostat the i could stick in one of the back sections.

The fans should help greatly! Not sure on an ATO for a nano though, I use a Tunze osmolator on my tank but it is likely too large for a nano. I'm sure a current nano owner can help you out there or check out nanotuners.

[stevelkaneval]

also are there any pros or cons between 70 watts and 150 watts? besides heat and topping off? or is a 150 just going to be that much more impressive, ie. personel preference

[reefer madness]

150W would be overkill on that size tank and you would likely see your chiller running constantly. Chillers are major power consumers.

[stevelkaneval]

70 watts it is then thanks. is there any light you would recomend? like i said im not useing a top and im kinda lookin for a pendant.

[stevelkaneval]

oh yea what temperature bulb would you also recomend. 20k,14k,10k i like the blue look and really didnt want to put actinics on

[reefer madness]

I used a JBJ Viper light. It attaches to the back of the tank and extended over the tank. I didn't have any problems with mine and I ran a 20K bulb in it since there were no actinics and it looked great.

[stevelkaneval]

jbj it is. any sights that are cheaper than others?

[reefer madness]

There is also a unit called a Sun Pod (I've never seen it or any experience with it) that has moon lights, if that interests you, that is also available for Nanos. There has been some good reviews on it. Supposedly the unit is cool to the touch which the viper is not. It would likely be worth checking out. The viper light is smaller though making tank access easier.

I'm not sure where the best prices are in the USA.

[ajx22]

There is also a unit called a Sun Pod (I've never seen it or any experience with it) that has moon lights, if that interests you, that is also available for Nanos. There has been some good reviews on it. Supposedly the unit is cool to the touch which the viper is not. It would likely be worth checking out. The viper light is smaller though making tank access easier.

I'm not sure where the best prices are in the USA.
Both the Sunpod and the Aquapod are both made by Current USA...

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=28905

Your favorite folks Gary! ;)

[reefer madness]

Your favorite folks Gary! ;)

NOT!!!:hihi:

[NanoReefaholic]

150W would be overkill on that size tank and you would likely see your chiller running constantly. Chillers are major power consumers.

Not nessarly Gary, I run a 12G with a 150W MH and I sit solid at 78.7ºF all year long. All I have is a 2.5" computer fan (running at 4.5V) blowing across the top of the tank. Plans are in the works after the new year for two 1" fans and a moonlight system to be in place. With a Viper you can place the light exactly where you wish where as the Sunpod is always in the centre at 90º. I have my light in the very front pointed back at about 45º. Coral grows toward the light and I want the colour to shine through. Pointing the light at an angle also gives more 'surface' area to mount coral.

Colour temp is personal taste but if you're not running actinics you may want to look at 14-20K. IMO a 20K 150W may do the trick but again colour is up to your taste.

[NanoReefaholic]

Almost forgot, the cost of a 70W vs 150W lamp is similar but the 150W has more manufacturers to choose from. The is also the fact that you can raise a 150W but you can only lower a 70W so far. Unless this is a 6G tank (I remember you posting about a 12G so I'm guessing that is what this is) a 150W may be a better option.

[stevelkaneval]

so you have a 150 and it works fine with the nano? i never thought about raiseing it and never thought about that you can only lower a 70 watt so much but i guess that is why this site is here right? i was going to go with a 20k thanks for all your help and i live in northern wi so it never really gets hot here.