Lighting a 2.5g Pico Reef

[ScottsTanks]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of setting up a 2.5g (standard dimensions 12x6x8) on my desk at work. Really not trying to go too fance with this build. I've got a Tetra HT10 heater, a digital thermometer, and a tiny sicce pump that pushes ~90gph. I was originally thinking about an Ecoxotics PAR38 12,000k for lighting but I was poking around only and starting seeing a lot people say that even if you hang it 16" over the tank it's still likely to fry anything in the tank. My question is:
1) Are these claims grounded? Is a 21w PAR38 really strong enough to fry lps and sps in a tank this small?

2) Are there better options out there for this set up that don't involve DIY? Since this is sitting in my office I really just want something plug-and-play that will look halfway decent but still support reef life to impress clients.

Thanks for the help!

 

[jservedio]

The PAR38 is probably too strong, I'd go with the Ecoxotic EcoPico arm light with 2 or 3 strips on it depending on what you want to keep. My 2g Pico has one with 3 strips (2x 10,000K/423nm and 1x 423nm) and I have a bunch of Acans, Ricordea, a few Chalices, and some Montipora in it and they have been doing great. It's been up for like 5 or 6 months now and I love it. Great light and hard to beat the price. I was going to DIY an LED, but it was a wash with the price. Plus, it is a sexy unit!

I had to fog the lid of my pico because the just 8w of LED was too strong and bleaching my Acans and Chalices. Yes, a PAR38 will bleach anything in a tank that small unless it can be dimmed way, way down.

Here are some pictures:

With the Light:

 

[ScottsTanks]

Is your tank rimless or did you have to remove the rim to mount the light? It is a sexy unit but it appears, from the pictures, that the clamp only allows for rimless mounting and my tank has a standard rim

 

[ScottsTanks]

Pictures didn't display for me at first. I see that yours is rimless mow

 

[ScottsTanks]

I know it's twice the price of the Par38 but what about an Nano Box Mini? It's dimable but I can't find info on how many watts it puts out.

 

[Bucks149]

Check out Nano Box Reef. They may full spectrum, fully programmable lighting for pico tanks and up. They have some of the best customer service. The owner is very responsive. The light fixtures get great reviews through a lot of the forums. I just ordered a retro kit for my BioCube 29.

 

[ScottsTanks]

@Bucks149 that's what I was referring to. The Mini is the small light made by Nano Box Reef. I spoke briefly with Dave (the owner) via email and he said the light could be dimmed low enough to not fry anything and that he could make a custom clamp for a rimmed tank.

 

[Bucks149]

Yea I saw your post just after I hit send. Dave is awesome and super responsive. He makes a good looking product and his customer service is second to none.

 

[Raymond07]

I currently purchased a Par 38 LED 36 watt full spectrum bulb and housing to go over my nano tank of 5.5 gallons. I was wondering how high should I be mounting it from the water surface for best coral and plant growth. Eventually the light will be moved over to my 30 gallon Oceanic cube tank. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I currently purchased a Par 38 LED 36 watt full spectrum bulb and housing to go over my nano tank of 5.5 gallons. I was wondering how high should I be mounting it from the water surface for best coral and plant growth. Eventually the light will be moved over to my 30 gallon Oceanic cube tank. Any help would be appreciated.

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