lighting help

[txg8gxp]

Ok, I have a older biocube 29 that I wouldn't mind to set back up in the near future. I have already done some mods to it, with that said it doesn't have a canopy. It will be setup open top next time. For those who know I love me some leds, so leds just might be the light of choice but I have also thought about MH. I have never had a MH setup and would like to experience them first hand. The color options of t5's are great, but they don't have many good 18" or less t5 setups. So it looks like the two options would be LED or MH. I would think that a 150w MH 12" or so about the water would work nice. What are some good, lower cost MH pendants that still look nice? I've seen the viper clamp on ones, they seem alittle over priced IMO. I have also read that they don't have the best ballast and of course their reflector works just not top of the line. Any opinions would be nice.

[hobogato]

i had a viper once and replaced the reflector inside with the solar tube material that you get at lowe's - 100% improvement. did a great job imo.

[Big_Pun]

AI nano is great I've talked to couple people that have them and they love them.

[jroescher]

Stephen asking for help with lighting... That title got my attention.


I haven't' heard of too many people going from LED back to MH. So many issues with MH that LED eliminates. Especially on a small tank where LED can penetrate so well.

[txg8gxp]

That would be my #1 option I think. I liked my AI units. Anything nano would probably have one. Now that the prices have come down on AI stuff they are a great buy.

AI nano is great I've talked to couple people that have them and they love them.

[zerreissen]

That would be my #1 option I think. I liked my AI units. Anything nano would probably have one. Now that the prices have come down on AI stuff they are a great buy.

They are supposed to drop even more soon...

[grouch]

I'm running 20' Nova Extreme Pro on a 28g Nano 6 x 18 with good results. No heat problems as with MH. LEDS look really nice but in a year the price will drop as current sales recoup development costs. I holding out until prices drop.

[clownfishgems]

led's are great , just make sure you buy one already made, the diy ones are a pain in the rear!!!