Lighting a 30gal nuvo

[fenderguy1]

I am in the process of setting up a 30 nuvo. I need to figure out what lighting I will use. My question is, would a lumenbright mini wide with a 250watt dimable ballast be overkill and cook all my salty friends? I can also get the same pendant with a ballast for 175watt bulbs and 250 watt bulbs. I thought I could always just dim the 250 a bit but would like to hear some thoughts. It a heck of a deal for either and would leave me with some change in my pocket for livestock.
Would either of these options be suited for the new nuvo or should I look at other options?

 

[Rikerbear]

What are you hoping to keep in the tank?

 

[fenderguy1]

What are you hoping to keep in the tank?

Mostly lps/ softies, I would like a few sps but I'm not too into acros(I'm sure ill try a few). I'm mainly concerned about the heat and if it would be too much light. The tank is 18 1/2" deep.

 

[Rikerbear]

Hmmm...my guess would be yes, heat would be an issue.
When I ran my 29 high FOWLR on a 175 watt, I was always battling temps. Never did break down and get a chiller, but I should have....would have saved me many headaches, and losses.

 

[Rikerbear]

Have I mentioned I love LEDs? :wink:

 

[fenderguy1]

Any other input here?

 

[SeymourDuncan]

My 29 only has 4xt5 lights and my condylactis looks happy as can be. Lps would do great under a good set and if you did icecaps and overdrive the bulbs you will be set.

LEDs however kick all butts. Dimming, colors, optics, heat, whatever. They are superior finally and I you decided to get some sps you could crank the power up a little bit to support them as well as clams.

Halides will cook the water w/o fans and/or a chiller but will keep more than you want along with suck your electric bill

 

[SeymourDuncan]

But make sure the fixture is long enough or you will have darker sides.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I have a new cheapie aqueon on another 30g as well and it keeps these guys happy. The gorg is growing so its polyps are not out but there is an ever growing leather, shrooms, rics, and some palythoa

The light is red and white. No blue available