any good cheap light for a nano?

thangbom

Active Member
hi hi guys.. im setting up a nano.. ( it's actually set up already.. just did it a few hrs ago)
it's a 7.5 gallon i think. has a 150w glass heater ( i know it's way way too much but.. i got this whole set-up for free )
a whisper hob filter and a dual 9w pc light..
i know i can do softies, but i wanna get something that lps can thrive in... i dont really wanna put to much $$ into this nano so anyone know of a decent but cheap lighting system??
 

chipmaker

Active Member
YOU can pack quite a few compact florescents over it. IIRC the 24/28 watt PC will fit length wise, but buy lretro kits with remotely mounted ballasts. I belive you could probably get 3 x 24/28watt PC over that tank, maybe more..not sure if its long enough for the 32/34 watt pc's. Gonna need a cooling fan or two, and I would pitch the whisper hob and go with as big a Aqua Clear that will fit on it. An AC 110 may fit it just fine, and it will add another 1.5 gal of water and a place to put the heater as well, and even a fission skimmer in that hob filter fuge'
There is an online source selling 24 to 65 watt PC ballasts. They are electronic type and will power bulbs from 24-65 watts. They are on sale for $24.00 each. Located in california and is a well known suppier of aquarium lights and parts. The ballasts I am referencing may have to have the leads lengthened, but its a simple process. If you need the website email me.
 

thangbom

Active Member
well im trying to get the best bang for the buck.. but im really trying not to spend much $$ on this nano.. i probaly wont put a fuge or skimmer on this thing.. ill just do a 2-3 gal wc every week .. since i mess with my tanks all the time.. i already have a 18 watt coralife pc on te tank ( they are 9 watt 10k and 9 watt accetenics ) but i think it's kinda weak for what i have in mind for this nano.. ... and as for the demenshionss are 16'' long by 8'' deep by 10'' high.... has a 1.5 - 2'' sandbed and currently only 1 lr ( i have plenty but wont put them in till it's fully cycled ) and i dont knbow why but i kinda wanna go with t5 HO on this little thing just to mess with t5... but i dont wanna spend the money.. soo.... ( i know.. i want but wont spend ) i wanna keep zoo's and some lps ... ( like a bubble,frogspawn or a hammer ) dont know tho.. it all depend on my light.. but like i said.. that is what im aiming for..
i think over all.. im willing to spend around $40 on a new lighting .. if not ill just do softies.. and stick with the old ...
 

aeval

Member
This is an Odyssea 13 in. 24wt 50/50 that will fit your tank. We paid $29.95. I don't know of any at $40.00 that will be strong enough for hard corals. :notsure:


 

chipmaker

Active Member
For about 75 bucks you can put 96 watts of PC light over it with 3 of the $24 ballasts and 32 watt bulbs.
From what I have seen at the lfs here and heard other places, T-5 does not do right without the right reflectors......I dunno really as I do not use T5...
 

keith burn

Active Member
Originally Posted by ThaNgBom
well im trying to get the best bang for the buck.. but im really trying not to spend much $$ on this nano.. i probaly wont put a fuge or skimmer on this thing.. ill just do a 2-3 gal wc every week .. since i mess with my tanks all the time.. i already have a 18 watt coralife pc on te tank ( they are 9 watt 10k and 9 watt accetenics ) but i think it's kinda weak for what i have in mind for this nano.. ... and as for the demenshionss are 16'' long by 8'' deep by 10'' high.... has a 1.5 - 2'' sandbed and currently only 1 lr ( i have plenty but wont put them in till it's fully cycled ) and i dont knbow why but i kinda wanna go with t5 HO on this little thing just to mess with t5... but i dont wanna spend the money.. soo.... ( i know.. i want but wont spend ) i wanna keep zoo's and some lps ... ( like a bubble,frogspawn or a hammer ) dont know tho.. it all depend on my light.. but like i said.. that is what im aiming for..
i think over all.. im willing to spend around $40 on a new lighting .. if not ill just do softies.. and stick with the old ...
The 24w light will work
 

thangbom

Active Member
ok.. $24 for the 24 watt pc ehh.... ok that is do-able.. where did you gey it?? and is it 2 bulbs?? i would like to have some acetenics along with 10k
 

keith burn

Active Member
Originally Posted by ThaNgBom
ok.. $24 for the 24 watt pc ehh.... ok that is do-able.. where did you gey it?? and is it 2 bulbs?? i would like to have some acetenics along with 10k
It's a 24w light, only 1 bulb. A 50/50 it's 13" and is made my odyssea.
I got it from my lfs.
 

keith burn

Active Member
Originally Posted by ThaNgBom
k k thanks guys !!!
now i got to go see if the local fish dude have anything..
Look on line as well.
 
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