Nano cube Lighting

tatoush

tatoush

Member
Hi all,
Well I think I want to upgrade my nanocube 12 DX's lights to MH (thinking maybe 70w) because the location where the tank is located can get warm and I want to avoid getting a chiller at all costs). Does anyone have any input regarding the pro/con's of choosing a 70w vs. a 150w. I plan on keeping softies. Also, I don't think I am going to do a custom replacement for the nano hood, therefore my question was if I go with a sunpod 20" 70 or 150 watt, what should I expect in regards salt loss, fish jumping out? I guess I was just curious how anyone who has a similar setup has covered up the rest of the tank where the light will not cover. Do you put glass over the opening and then the light on top of it? Any help would be appreciated.
Lev :notsure:
 
jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
tatoush:
The 70W should be fine for the 12NC, especially since you won't be keeping any SPS. I would use a UV glass cover to prevent any critters from jumping out and it will also help with evaporation. I have 178W (108PC and 70W MH) in my 24NC and lose about 1 gallon of water a day so be prepared to do a lot of topping off.
There is a place that make custom hoods for the 12NC that have Halides. Nanocustoms in case you haven't heard of them. That way you get the lighting you want and still maintain the stock look of your tank.
Best of luck,
Bob
 
tatoush

tatoush

Member
Bob,
Thanks for the reply. I actually have heard of nanocustoms and was even considering doing the 96 watt pc upgrade as an alternative and just add the two extra 50/50 bulbs to my stock hood. I guess right now i'm on the fence and need to decide which is a better route to take. Bob or anyone else if you have any suggestions on going with the 96 pc or just 70 mh?? Also bob, I did hit you up with an email a while back regarding the skimmer that you modify, I haven't forgotten you I just need to get things organized a bit and as soon as I make a move on the lighting then I come knockin.
Lev
 
pclown

pclown

Member
I am no light expert but from what I have read and been told the 70W MH is better than the 96W PC lights. Maybe other people will chime in.
 
shark_bait

shark_bait

New Member
Here's my suggestion. I would go with the PC upgrade from nanocustoms, unless you are fixed on keeping acroporas. The MH lamps will cause too much evaporation every day, heat becomes an issue, and yes, fish will jump out. I tried this and my clown jumped out overnight. PCs will be great for the rest of the corals. See my post 2 below this one. 24g "lots of mods". I got my upgrade from nanocustoms and did the install myself. Since upgrading, all of my corals are a lot more brilliant and in some cases have doubled in size. Just food for thought!
 
tatoush

tatoush

Member
Sharkbait,
Did you find the do it yourself mods to be pretty easy. I downloaded the instructions and they don't seem too bad. How long did it take you to mod and did you run into any major snags?
 
jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
Originally Posted by tatoush
Bob,
Thanks for the reply. I actually have heard of nanocustoms and was even considering doing the 96 watt pc upgrade as an alternative and just add the two extra 50/50 bulbs to my stock hood. I guess right now i'm on the fence and need to decide which is a better route to take. Bob or anyone else if you have any suggestions on going with the 96 pc or just 70 mh?? Also bob, I did hit you up with an email a while back regarding the skimmer that you modify, I haven't forgotten you I just need to get things organized a bit and as soon as I make a move on the lighting then I come knockin.
Lev


Since your plan is to keep on softies then I would go the PC route. Having said that, I like the flexibility of the MH. I can get SPS or a clam or any other high light coral and not be concerned about having enough light.
As long as you properly accimilate all of the current livestock and corals to the Halide you would be fine. Also heat has not been an issue with my 24NC. Without the ICA operating my temp is stable between 80.1 and 80.6. Granted it is winter time and I fully expect to run it in the summer when the ambiant temp is slightly higher.
Whenever you get around to the skimmer I will be here.
Bob
P.S.
One more thing about the PC versus MH "only" I like the look of actinics as a suppliment. With the Halide only system I would loose that and I think would opt to include actinics or go the PC route in a 12NC.
Good luck,
Bob
 
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