lighting question for SLICE

jburgi

jburgi

Member
Really anyone can answer this question...I aimed it specifically at slice because we have the same tank :) I really need to upgrade my lighting. I would love to get some corals and such, but right now my lighting is not rad. I added a new bulb when I switched the tank to saltwater, but that is all. It is 18" x 20". Any suggestions...brands, specific things to look for? p.s.....I am poor ;)
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Wow, a question directed at ME.....somebody is a bit misguided...
I am NOT the person to ask general lighting questions, but I guess I am the one for lighting these particular tanks...I guess...I certainly did enough homework...
All I can tell you is that the only attractive options I found for this tank, a Marineland 47g column, 20" x 18" x 30 frickin" tall was either:
Clamp on MH (there are at least 2 brands out there that would work, there is another member here who has our tank and uses one), and
Current USA Extreme Pro 20" 6-lamp T5.
I chose the T5.
I do not use the docking clamps; I rest the fixture directly on the tank rim. I have a narrow piece of glass under the fixture to guard against the fixture going into the tank from accidents.
I've found the light penetration sufficient to keep most anything I want from softies to SPS, given TALL rockwork for the higher light loving coral.
A huge drawback is the lack of lamp options in an 18" length (they are actually 16.5"). You only really have 12000k, 420 and 460nm options. [strike]There is a company/site beginning with "nano" that has a variety of lamps that supposedly fit this fixture (with fixture modifications), but the output rating gives me pause. I would be afraid of burning out my ballast.[/strike]
All in all, I am happy with my choice, it does the job, the lamps are inexpensive, the housing is attractive, it fits the tank perfectly. The fans are a bit noisey, but there are alternate fans that are more quiet. I may try those when I get tired of hearing the OEM fans.
Since my purchase, there has arisen the additional option to go with a variety of LED fixtures. If I had the $$$$, I would go that route myself. One of the new Ecotech units that would sync with my MP10s would be sweeeet...
 
jburgi

jburgi

Member
Fan eh...? Is that something that comes with the light...or is that another thing that I need to look into buying? Sorry...I am clueless! Am I allowed to post a link to the one I found on ebay so you can tell me what you think about it? The tank is in my 2 yr old's bedroom...is the fan something that is loud enough it would keep her up...or would it be more of a soothing sound that she could sleep through. I usually have something on in her room for background noise anyway, a fan in the summer & a humidifier in the winter, is it louder than that? Sorry for all the questions...I am just so limited where I live for good advise and places to buy things.
Jessica
 
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