1st saltwater tank

ten_ten_83 · Post by **ten_ten_83** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 12:43 pm

i just set up my first saltwater tank -- 30 gallon oceanic cube with 32 pounds of live rock, coralife super skimmer, and just a few hermit crabs for now -- I was wondering if anyone has tried the new Aqualight Advanced Hang-On Tank Mount HQI 150W 20,000K coralife metal halides and how they liked it -- lighting is the last thing i need before i'm fully operational -- any other suggestions for the tank will be greatly appreciated

NM354 · Post by **NM354** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 1:15 pm

I havent used one or seen them in operation but we have them at B&B and it seems like a nice all in one deal. It would be perfect for that tank too.

sb1227 · Post by **sb1227** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:06 pm

I got one for my 20 when they first came out, I was planning on putting some of my extra SPS in there. I ordered it with a 20K XM bulb, but I'm not a fan of 20K bulbs at all and ordered a 14K Guiesmann bulb. I decided quickly it wasn't going to work on that tank due to heat issues and the existing corals in the tank hated the MH bulb.

The fixture itself is ok, if you are limited on funds and want to go with it for a while it would be fine (until you can afford a better fixture), but if you're looking for something for the long term I would go with something better yet more expensive.

If you decide you want to try the aqualight, let me know. I can sell you mine for less than you would pay for a new one(it was only used for a couple of weeks), and I'm not going to use it.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:25 pm

I have no experience with them but 20kk MH are usually dim and have far less PAR than 10kk and it's only a 150 on top of that. If you want to keep SPS go with a 250 14kk and if you want anything else and a few light tolerant SPS go with PC's.

What are the dimentions of a 30 cube?
Do you have a canopy?

ten_ten_83 · Post by **ten_ten_83** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:07 pm

The tank in 18d 20w 20h so it's not really a perfect cube -- but i did order a 20" orbit pc with a 40w Dual Daylight (10,000K & 6,700K), 40w Dual Actinic (460nm & 420nm), and a 1w moon light - so i was going to use that and the HQI

oh yeah -- and no canopy yet -- i was planning on building my own

ten_ten_83 · Post by **ten_ten_83** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:43 pm

finally operational