What Lighting?
 

Hi everyone,

I'm brand-new to the hobby, and I'm starting out with a little 10 gallon. I'm not going to be very ambitious with it, just a clownfish (they're cool!) and some softies (mushrooms, polyps, xenia). Possibly some LPS, if they're easy.

What kind of lighting should I get? As I said, I'm not very ambitious so I don't want to get something that's totally overkill.

One idea was to use an ordinary incandescent hood with screw-in sockets, but use 2 x 24W 5000K self-ballasted PC bulbs instead.

JBJ Lighting also has this clamp-on http://www.jbjlighting.com/sys_clamp_on.html model. How does the 36W combo white/actinic compare with the idea above?

Thanks!

Re: What Lighting?
 

I use a similar setup on my refugium, but with a 6500K bulb instead. That setup works well, and is probably less expensive.

That looks really nice, but what is the cost? I have used the CSL 32W smartlights, and still do on my 20 gallon nano. I do like them very much, but the downside is the expense. They are around $150.00 each. I have two plus a 2x13W brightlite kit from AHsupply.com in a homemade top on that tank.

Thanks![/quote]

You could try somthing like this, http://www.yfsinternational.com/category.asp?id=PL-H/5U They come in 65watt and 100watt. The cost with ballast is $68 and $85 And are 6500k.

Clinton

How about http://www.ahsupply.com? Any opinions on these guys?

It looks like a 2x36W system with enclosure and bulbs would only cost around $150USD.

They have a good reputation, you can also check out this site for hoods:

http://www.petsupplyliquidator.com/htm/mnu_ahoods.htm

I have bought stuff from them, and I am happy except for converting to Cdn funds. You usually have to count on double when all is said and done. I think with a little more looking you can do much better than that. :D

If you go to king ed pets, they sale a power compact 32watt reto kit with ballast,tube,reflecter, and wiring
for $86.00. ask for Eric.dave

Go with what dave111 said, that seems to be the best price. It would probably cost around that to do a DIY hood... assuming you wanted some kind of Actinic lighting :wink: . All thee above will allow you to keep Polyps, Shrooms, Xenia and most LPS.

And BTW most LPS are easy to keep along as you provide good water conditions, ample lighting and also some really seem to do much better when target fed.

I just called King Ed, they've got them in. Seems like a great deal, I think I'll go that way.

Thanks dave111, and everyone else too, for your valuable input! :D

Would you happen to know if that is the Custom Sea Life retro kit, which comes complete with the 32W Smartlite? I have two of those, and they cost quite a bit more from MOPS. :(