lighting a 2x2 cube??

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fish_guy

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what would the best lighting system be for a 24" cube reef?
I was thinking of a 175 HQI metal halide and 2 power compact actinic's on it
Does everyone think 175 will be enough?
or should I go with 250?
Karl
 
I'm setting one up now and I went for a 250w MH with 64w PC. With the 24" depth, I think a 250 is better for SPS growth, especially lower down in the tank.
 
what size sump do you have?
I would love to get one the same size as my stand
 
I thought he was speaking of 24w by 24long bc it is a 24x24 cube just didn't know that it was 24 deep as well
 
I wasn't laughing at your question so much as "they" sell tanks called cubes and regularly they are shorter than their footpring dimensions..

don't even get me started on the 90 gallon tank that will only hold 88gal of water..


I'm easily entertained...
:)
 
I have a 24" cube and I have a SE 250 watt 20K bulb over it in a LumenBright Mini Pendant. You should be able to keep anything you want in your cube with a 250 watt halide bulb, as the general rule is 250 watt halides for tanks less than 30" deep. Most halide bulbs are good for a 24" x 24" coverage area.

I have no experience with T5s, but that is my 2 cents on halides.
Dave
 
I have 4 t5's on mine, mostly softies, zoas, and a few chalices and no problems. I'd go with a 250 watt halide if heat isn't a concern.
 
I have 250w Sunpod on my 20"x20" cube, and am going to add actinics. Just keep the light about 8" off the water and use a fan to blow across water surface. I have done this and have about a .75-1 degree temp swing daily. Saves on havingto buy a chiller.
 
I was going to add a fan to the hood
Heat was a concern for me
So what brand of retro fit does everyone like?
 
Almost forgot
I have been looking at a new skimmer with the needle wheel pump
any suggestions?
 
I have a 250w over my 20" cube (lumenbright pendnat). That thing gets hot. I'm tempted to use a 175w instead.

Remember that a good reflector will give you the extra PAR you might need. I bet a lumenbright with a 175w is just as good (or better) than a 250w w/standard batwing reflector.
 
LorenK;376946 wrote: I have a 250w over my 20" cube (lumenbright pendnat). That thing gets hot. I'm tempted to use a 175w instead.

Remember that a good reflector will give you the extra PAR you might need. I bet a lumenbright with a 175w is just as good (or better) than a 250w w/standard batwing reflector.
Click to expand...

One option for fish guy would be to use a CoralVue dimmable e-ballast like this:

http://www.reefspecialty.com/p284/Coralvue-250-Watt-Dimmable-UL-approved-Electronic-Bal/product_info.html">http://www.reefspecialty.com/p284/Coralvue-250-Watt-Dimmable-UL-approved-Electronic-Bal/product_info.html</a>

I have one of these running the 250 watt pendant on my 2' cube and it is dimmable by -35% to +10% overdrive. You could keep softies and hve the flexibility to switch to The dimmer knob is nice to have in certain situations, and would allow you to dim down to about 175 watts if needed. Only caveat is when you dim the bulb it makes it bluer.
Dave
 
While the coralvue sounds great I need to know if it will run HQI bulbs?
Mogal seems to be on the way out so I would prefer HQI double ended bulbs
 
I'm running an Aquamedic 24" fixture on my cube tank and I get great growth....It has two 24" T5's and one DE Phoenix 14K lamp...I would recommend them to anyone.
 
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