Nano experts needed...

[daffynmark]

I have an Oceanic 75g RR, 2 x 400w MH blueline pendants, EuroReef CS6-1 skimmer, sump, stand, etc. I listed the tank for sale late last week. I am debating on selling now. I think I want to set up a smaller tank. I originally started out with a 29g reef about 10 years ago...As I was looking at the pictures of the nano tanks on this site I got the itch again. Stupid addictions! They just never go away. I was successful with SPS previously and I would like to keep SPS again.

New setup thoughts:
29g Oceanic Bio Cube modded with the following:
150w or 250w HQI MH pendant
I would like to run a sump for extra volume/stabillity
since I already have it...EuroReef skimmer ;)

Here are my questions...

1) In your opinions is there any such thing as too much light and if so could the 400w MH pendant be easily retofitted with a lower watt HQI?

2) What about skimming? Is there any such thing as too much skimming? I already have the skimmer and it would be cool to be able to use as much hardware as I can that is already on hand. Could the CS6-1 be tuned down to work on this setup?

I suppose the sump volume with rubble would need to be figured in to the total volume...the sump is an Oceanic Reef Ready Sump 1. I'm not sure of the volume on this sump.

What are your thoughts? What else do I need to consider?

[glennr1978]

I'd say that a 400w halide may be a bit much for a 29g tank, you would most likely cook your tank without a chiller. From what I've read you can't really over skim, so you should be alright with the CS6-1.

If I were you I would opt for the 250w pendant, and go ahead and give me the 400w'ers!!!

[cbianco]

1) In your opinions is there any such thing as too much light and if so could the 400w MH pendant be easily retofitted with a lower watt HQI?

I too agree that 400 watts would be overkill for a 29 gallon tank. Remember that corals can be sunburned if they are provided with an excess amount of light. 150 watts of HQI would be plenty, especially when you consider the shallower (compared to larger tanks) depth of the Biocube. You may consider running actinics for supplementation.



2) What about skimming? Is there any such thing as too much skimming? I already have the skimmer and it would be cool to be able to use as much hardware as I can that is already on hand. Could the CS6-1 be tuned down to work on this setup?

Many of us nano guys don't actually run skimmers. A skimmer (in combination with MH) would allow you to keep nutrient deprived coralssuch as SPS. I say, if you have it, use it.

Sounds like you are off to a good start. :)

Christopher

[daffynmark]

Thanks for the replies. Somehow I already knew the 400w would be too much for the 29g. I just needed to hear it from someone else ;)

I do plan to keep SPS in the nano. I may utilize at least one of the 400w pendants over an SPS grow out tank. So now my question is this—should I start with the 250w and adjust the height of the pendant over the tank as needed? I would hate to start at 150w and then find out I actually need a 250w for the SPS then spit out more cash for the upgrade.

How many of you keep SPS in your nanos and what is your setup?

[RayAllen]

You would never need the 400w in the Bio Cube 29. Check out nano-reef.com and you will see that many run either the 70watt MH or the 150watt MH. Id be afraid that the 400watt would warp the plastic. I have the BC29 and am running stock lighting but will upgrade to the 4x 36watt PC kit soon giving me 144watts and thats plenty for the LPS and Softies I want to keep.

[erikharrison]

http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-SearchStr--action-view-idProduct-JB9111-idCategory-FILTFIMHCO-category-JBJ_K_2_Viper_70W_HQI_Clamp_on_Lamp_Lighting_Fixtu re_Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_Lighting_Fixtures_M etal_Halide_Clamp_On-vendor-.html


There's a link to a good 70w MH. It's the K-2 Viper

[Janus]

I would agree myself with 400w being way too much light...Most likely 150w. I have been looking into upgrading my BC29 to halides for a while and everything I have seen so far says 70-150 should be enough. For SPS though you would probably be best with the 150 just to be safe...still going to be alot of light so order your fish some shades too :shades

[Janus]

hmmm seems to have posted twice.

[erikharrison]

I would tend to think that if you are going to use a 150w, you may need to purchase a nano chiller.

[daffynmark]

Is it bad that I've never kept fish with my SPS? :D I don't know why I just never have. I did have a maroon clown and a sailfin tang with my mainly softies but not the SPS. Hmm...a clown in the SPS tank. I like it!

As for the warped plastic...I will probably swap the cover out and use an open top with a pendant. I liked that I didn't have to worry about heat with my open top 75g and two 400w MHs. I had lots of evaporation but no heat issues either.

Do you know who carries the BC and has them in stock in Austin?

[RayAllen]

Id check River City aquatics to see if they carry them

[rankenstein]

Thanks for the replies. Somehow I already knew the 400w would be too much for the 29g. I just needed to hear it from someone else ;)

I do plan to keep SPS in the nano. I may utilize at least one of the 400w pendants over an SPS grow out tank. So now my question is this—should I start with the 250w and adjust the height of the pendant over the tank as needed? I would hate to start at 150w and then find out I actually need a 250w for the SPS then spit out more cash for the upgrade.

How many of you keep SPS in your nanos and what is your setup?

[rankenstein]

You could use a nuetral density filter over the glass on the 400watt MH to cut down the amount of light. Heat may still be an issue. You can find a large Neutral density filter at a photo store specializing in studio lighting. It would only run you about $15 or so for an 18"x24" sheet.

[rankenstein]

P.S. this would not change the color of the light ND filters are designed to be colorless.

[dhayes]

I have a 29g Biocube w/1 150w HQI. I run an open top and have no heat issues. My tank is
overstocked w/ 6-fish and about 26-corals witch 15 are sps.The Biocube has good surface
skmming when you open the area between chamber 1 and chamber 2 witch will increase water flow. I do plan on a step up to 250w HQI because the light doesn't cover the tank very well. The 150w pod sets about 4-5 in above the water witch gives me 6in to top of my sps corals. I have found that most sps are raised in 250w or higher and the colors don't quite
match the mother colonies when a 150w is used. River city has alot of Biocubes in stock
aswell as AquaTek,but Horizon when he has them are $100 less for tank and stand combo.

Donnie

[apedroza]

The 150W should be plenty of lighting for your bio cube. You also wouldn't have to worry som much about the heat.

[crossxfire2]

I would say the more you skim, the better, haha.