I have a 35 gal hexagon all-glass saltwater tank set up. Reefscaping has been tough. I need more live rock. I would like to add mushrooms and annenomies but am concerned with the lighting. The tank is quite deep. It is 24" from the top. what lighting is best- have a 18" t-8 coral reef 10,000 but switch off with 50/50. i would not like to add any inverts without proper lighting. is what i have ok?
35 gal hexagon mini reef lighting
- Thread starter joyze1
- Start date
How wide is the top? You might be able to fit a 96 watt compact fluorescent fixture that would give you enough for some less demanding corals. Mushrooms don't need much, but that is a deep tank.
It is 22 wide (18" light strip) by 20 inches. I was thinking of getting a versa top (all glass- right now it is that brown plastic with a glass strip where the light goes.) and adding a compact. But my concern is if i use both is that enought light . Will i have to have the mushrooms and corals mid way to top of the tank for them to thrive? I was looking into the medal hylide. I believe it is for deeper tanks but do not want to harm the fish that swim around the top 6 inches.
Metal halide will definitely penetrate deeper. In fact, it's probably perfect to have a single MH fixture over a tall, narrow tank like that.
Depending on the wattage, you could have many kinds of corals, all the way to the bottom. The fish won't mind the brightness.
Depending on the wattage, you could have many kinds of corals, all the way to the bottom. The fish won't mind the brightness.
Thank you. What wattage would you suggest? 250? I was thinking of keeping a 50/50 on it for the spectum? I have only saw 1 other mini reef in a hexagon aquarium. It was really neat because you could see alot and it gave the fish top to bottom swimming room. I just don't want to keep messing with the tank. I would like to set it up once. Would it be ok to get a medal hylide and keep a cf 50/50 or antic? or would that be overkill?
175 would be good, 250 would be great. There are many pendants and hoods available that combine MH with actinic PC or VHO. I can suggest a few online places to browse if you're interested.
OK. Here are a few sites that I have ordered from and trust. There are certainly others.
Marine and Reef
Premium Aquatics
Marine Depot
Marine and Reef
Premium Aquatics
Marine Depot