Setting up Nano 7 Gallon reef, Need help with lighting

plum70rt

plum70rt

Active Member
Yes its true Im setting a little reef tank 7 gallon, Filter is all set, complete with skimmer, I want to add more intense lights, space is limited 9 inch long 5 inch wide, does any one know of a good setup for this application? Im looking for PC lighting, dual 27 watt or better,pics to come:)
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member
I've got 26 watts over my 5 gallon .... two lights - not sure of hte exact footprint ....I know it is 7 inches wide and I have them staggered to cover the whole 12 inches across the top. It is two different lights so you could work with the reflectors some and make them fit ....
 
fishkiller

fishkiller

Active Member
I know of SOME COMPANY that makes a retro fit kit that would fit quite well, you just need something to put the kit in. You get everything but the hood.
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member

Originally posted by plum70rt
is that 2, 13 watt bulbs?
Yes - if you were to use your browser bar and type ina standard greeting such as hello. Then possibly add in what you re looking for lights. Then remember it is a COMmercial website .... you should find it .... then check out the retro fit sections .... all you have to do is mount the reflectors - which is why I think you could do some bending work and make them fit. I could take more accurate measurements when I get home if you would like
 
justinx

justinx

Active Member
You know, i have thought about doing this as well using a 7 gallon mini-bow by AGA. The lighting that i would use would be a 70w halide, thats it. Probably a 10K. I know it would get hot, but i am going to guess that it would eliminate the need for a heater. Plus if you ventilated enough it would be fine. If it did become a problem, they make micro chillers that would go real well onto a fuge for it. I am considering making a mini sps tank, and this is how i would do it. Just a thought.
 
bonermeister

bonermeister

Member
You would have huge fluctuations at night when the lights went out with a 70w halide. You would still need a heater because by morning depending on the room temperature it could drop under 70 degrees F.
 
rhomer

rhomer

Member
I've had a 7 gallon bow setup for a year. To first answer your lighting question, Get a smart lamp retro kit 32 watts. This will give you plenty of light and it is designed specifically for this tank.
A couple of things that have worked for me. I put some calupera directly in the tank, I have about 15lbs of live rock in the tank. My nitrates stay about 20, but my rock is covered in coralline algea. I have some pulsating xenia that started at 2 branches that is now about 10.
I have had little to no success keeping fish in that tank. The longest I kept a fish was a catalina goby, but the wife turned off the AC before we left for the weekend once last year, that was the end of the goby.
I can't seem to keep a fish for much more than 3 months, but I have some amazing inverts. The rock is just crawling with pods, worms, and mullosks.
For those out there that say you can't do a Nano I invite you to come to my house. Good luck
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member
Hmmmm My trates are always between 0-5 now adays and my ammonia and trites are always 0. I will be adding a fug and then hopefully my trates go to 0 as well on a regular basis.
Hmmmm That is odd - I keep a clown goby and a long filament prawn goby - both are thriving .... some gobies are more used to cold water .....
Don't give up on the fish yet - I think one or two little fishies makes the nano tank look amazing!!
 
N

newreefers

Guest
I have a 10 gal nano with 2 36w pc lights, and this seems to be enough to keep the corals I want.
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member
hmmm thats quite a bit to pack over the top - what are you planning on keeping 7.sumtin' watts per gallon - pretty hefty amount!!
Very cool and looking forward to some pictures!!
 
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