few questions

[crayonbreaker]

I have a 10g hex and it has a singel 25wat standard bulb hood and just a normal fresh water filter. what can this support or what could i put in it? is lr and sand enough of a filter?

[mtfatwork]

LR and sand will be sufficient filtering as long as you do weekly water changes :)

[crayonbreaker]

does it help at all to have the carbon filter running? and what about light all it is set up for is a 15w grow bulb.

[David Grigor]

I don't think 15w grow bulb can sustain any corals. Your limited to just a couple hardy fish is all. LR and frequent water changes should suffice for filtration.

[crayonbreaker]

I have enough space for about a 9x5 blub is there any thing that size that i could retro fit that would work. sorry to ask i am just not sure what type of light/bulb i need

[wkjames]

This might be an option: http://www.petco.com/product/11440/Coralife-Mini-Compact-Fluorescent-50-or-50-Bulb.aspx

Not ideal, but I'm told grow lights contribute to algea blooms.

FWIW

[hamdogg08]

Have you thought about cannibalizing a 10 gal hood for two incandescent bulbs, taking out the fixture/reflector, then putting something like this on it?

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20061029220340/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_15494_38036_mini_bulb.jpg

[wkjames]

This might be an option: http://www.petco.com/product/11440/Coralife-Mini-Compact-Fluorescent-50-or-50-Bulb.aspx

Not ideal, but I'm told grow lights contribute to algea blooms.

FWIW

Have you thought about cannibalizing a 10 gal hood for two incandescent bulbs, taking out the fixture/reflector, then putting something like this on it?

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20061029220340/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_15494_38036_mini_bulb.jpg
Guess 2 of us think it's a good idea!!!:beerchug:

[wes]

You could also just try the screw type CF that you get from wal-mart or menards. the cool white ones have a decent looking color and you can get them in much more than 10 watts. Maybe combine one of those with an actinic bulb... just a thought. Either way, you'd still only be able to keep corals with really low needs.

[crayonbreaker]

http://www.petco.com/product/11440/C...r-50-Bulb.aspx

would that bulb be enough for a 5gal?

[mtfatwork]

linky no worky :(

[crayonbreaker]

http://www.petco.com/product/11440/Coralife-Mini-Compact-Fluorescent-50-or-50-Bulb.aspx

[mtfatwork]

http://www.petco.com/product/11440/C...r-50-Bulb.aspx

would that bulb be enough for a 5gal?



Depends what are the dimensions? Is it tall or is it long, because if it is long, you are probably not going to get a very good spread out of such a small bulb. It will be fine the middle 6" but the outer edges will most likely be dark-(er)

[crayonbreaker]

what is the differance between the coral life bulbs and say a day light bulb of the same size?

[hypertech]

Its a different color.

[crayonbreaker]

I was reading about that coral life bulb and it says it is not enough for growing coral. What are is the min light i need for coral and is the blue light need?

[wes]

really depends on what coral you want to keep, but I'd say 10 watts is no where near what you need to grow coral. over a 10 gallon tank, there are very few options that are viable. A 96 watt quad bulb PC might fit over it, or you could get a sun pod halide, but those are hot and rather expensive.

[hamdogg08]

From what I understand, you can keep some fan worms & mushrooms. Someone who's a bit more experienced/informed might want to confirm or deny that though.

[tico mike]

I wouldn't set up a 10 hex. Set up a nano instead. Small hex tanks don't have good viewing windows are are a pain to aquascape/maintain. Why make the first reef tank be so challenging?

[crayonbreaker]

I made it so my hood for my 5 gal that measures out to be about 15 x 9 x 11in and my hood has two medium base fixtures my aval space for blubs is 8 x 4 1/2 and I would like to be able to grow zoos and stuff like that.

[crayonbreaker]

sorry that last post was sketchy my tank is 15long 9deep 11high and my light hood is 4 1/2 by 12

[crayonbreaker]

no its cool i just want to make what I have work thats part of the fun i think