questions, questions

[nicks nano reef]

so i have recently been asked by my grand mother to help her setup a saltwater aquarium. it wont be anything to fancy just a 10 gallon with coral and small gobies. i decided to do metal halide lighting as i've never done it and wanted to see the effect it would have on coral and fish color. now to my question does every metal halide need a ballast, even the standard screw in base ones?

P.S to those who helped with the hydriods i moved them to a separate tank and now there making jelly fish. ya!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Medal Halide on a ten gallon tank? That tank is screaming LED's!!! JMTC

 

[nicks nano reef]

i've used led's before and they never gave me the "Look" i wanted

 

[mike007]

You may have temperature problems using metal halide on that size tank. Might be better to use led or t-5 but you may still have issues.

 

[Pete polyp]

Is grandma going to take care of this tank? It will require a ton of attention being that small. You might get away with a 70w mh if you hang it way above the tank.

 

[nicks nano reef]

the only thing grandma has to do is feed the fish i would go over her house every weekend to do wter changes and anything else that needs to be done. would the 70w need a ballast. and she is willing to go up to a 30 gallon could i use them on a thirty?

 

[Pete polyp]

You would be much better off with a 29 or 30. A 10 gallon would more than likely need more attention than one time per week. My 29 evaporates 1/3 gallon per day. So this we have to be addressed daily at the least with either setup.

http://www.fishneedit.com/75w-metal-halide-pendant-ligh75.html

there's one of the 70w halides. I would still suggest using a t5, and you can get a 4 bulb system with timer and moonlights cheap

http://www.aquatraders.com/30-inch-4x24W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Digi-Timer-Fixture-p/52323s.htm

You could also get away with a 150w metal halide on a 29 if its done correctly.

 

[Pete polyp]

Oh, I forgot to answer your question.... Yes every metal halide will require a ballast. Some are built in to the pendants, but most are external.

 

[nicks nano reef]

alright I'll just buy a t5 fixture and save the halides for another time maybe when i upgrade to a 75gal. and just for future refrence i've heard that double ended metal halide bulbs produce enough uv radiation to kill fish and people alike is that true

 

[Pete polyp]

alright I'll just buy a t5 fixture and save the halides for another time maybe when i upgrade to a 75gal. and just for future refrence i've heard that double ended metal halide bulbs produce enough uv radiation to kill fish and people alike is that true

Very good idea. They do produce a lot of UV and have to be used with the glass shield in place to filter it out. As far as killing humans I don't know.

 

[Kworker]

I would either go with a larger tank, or spend the money for a quality and reliable ATO system.. 10 gallons is small to only do weekend maintenance on.

Check out if Petco is having dollar a gallon, its memorial day weekend coming up so its likely.

I would also go with t5's or LED's .. Par38 bulbs for a small tank work well. Or you can get a cheap 2 bulb t5 fixture and keep some zoas or mushrooms for her in there.


just my .02

 

[Pete polyp]

I really like the 29.... Here's mine