Lighting for a nano

[Blue Meg]

I am resurrecting my nano for my kid's room. It is an old 20 gallon high tenecor tank with a built in trickle. I'm going to remove the bioballs for the most part and run a skimmer with some mechanical filtration in the back with a bag of carbon this time. I'm not interested in an algae fertilizer factory.

Anyway, I was using it about a year ago after a 20 year hiatus and before I got my current 85 gallon. I want good lighting but it has a canopy. It was originally designed in the 90's for use with fluorescent lights. When I started it up again, I used some current marine pro lights... but they sort of suck compared to the AI Hydra 26 HD lights I have on my big tank. I'd like to keep my acrylic canopy, but I don't know if there are better lights that I can mount under it. I'm not interested in boiling my tank or melting the canopy with a hot LED. I want to keep the canopy, so a higher mounted light without a canopy won't work.

Should I keep the current marine pro lights or does anyone have a suggestion for another lighting system that won't boil the tank?

 

[SDReefer]

What are you planning on keeping in it that may require light (i.e. softies, lps, sps, anemones, etc.)? Your lighting needs depend on what you want to keep.

 

[ps2cho]

A single kessel would do all you'd ever need, otherwise keep what you have until you need to upgrade

 

[Blue Meg]

Kessel. I will have to look into that one.
Regarding the post before, I plan on keeping maybe three or four small fish and some of the cheap but pretty zoa frags that you can get from the fish store. I might put in a couple of acans or a robust brain type coral such as a favia (cheap version). I really don't want this to be a primary reef tank. I want a couple of pretty fish and that great color you see at night time with the actenic lights. I'm sort of going to use this tank as my son's night light. Yes... I know favia are agressive. The point was hardy zoas or a couple of hardy lps corals. Nothing fancy, just pretty.

 

[ifarmer]

i think 24" ATI hybrid is a great light for you tank

 

[Blue Meg]

What are you planning on keeping in it that may require light (i.e. softies, lps, sps, anemones, etc.)? Your lighting needs depend on what you want to keep.

That is the most basic question ever!!! I'm sorry that I didn't put that in my information... I am willing to run anything that is pretty and easy. I am guessing maybe a couple of pretty fish, an aquacultured purple rock, a few frags of cheap zoas, and a couple frags of acans. Basic stuff. My big tank is my thing, I just want something pretty for the kids room.

 

[Steven Garland]

Have you thought about a ocean revive light or a black box led ? Both are cheap and have good results.