Beginner's Nano - What Size?

[mandi]

I was lucky enough to win a 150-watt Outer Orbit pendant light, and it finally arrived in the mail earlier this week.

I'd like to do a nano tank because I'm in an upstairs apartment and large tanks are frowned upon. I'm thinking something in the 15 to 20 (high) gallon range -- would that be appropriate for this light? I'm actually really attracted to the 16 gallon bow-fronts that I've seen online, which would give me just over 9 WPG -- is that "too much"? Should I consider a different size?

I'm really eager to start planning this tank. I used to have a 10 gallon nano before I moved, but I could never afford to buy "good" lighting for it, so I only kept mushrooms. I'm hoping with having won this light (and having a much better paying job to buy all the other equipment!) that I'll get a chance to keep some more challenging corals this time around!

 

[kkyyllee]

that wont be too much at all for the tanks your thinking about, i like bowfronts myself so i would say go for that

 

[Musho3210]

THis is MH right? If it is im sure you can keep almost anything in that tank coral wise but im not 100% sure. Sps may grow slow under this light though, i heard they like 250 watts more.... But let someone else with more experiance or something tell you.

 

[rhysiboy]

If your gonna get a tank get one thats wider rather than taller, or maybe a cube of somesort. This just opens up options and gives 'more' room for swimming and for corals. I put more in '' because fish like to swim sideways not upwards more often than not Also if it is a 150w halide that should be fine for sps, i know people growing them under cf's or pc's whatever. I suppose if you could maybe try and fit some t5 tubes either side of the halide (assuming it is) to just spread light to the extremities. Also the wpg rle doesnt apply in SW usualy. The only thing that could be an issue would be heat buti think orbits have fans built in.

 

[steelhealr]

You're always better off with a shallower tank if you are planning to have a nano reef. Although they might look great, bowfronts, cubes and 'high' tanks tend to run deeper. Light penetration falls off over about 20"

The most versatile tank you can buy, taking in the following considerations:

• ease of aquascaping
• volume for a true nano
• light penetration
• room for adequate number of corals and fish
• ability to design the way you like

...is a 20G long.

SH

 

[n3ont3tra]

20 long's are 30" long, right? So how would you get T5's onto that? I;ve only ever seen T5's in 24" and 36", never 30".

 

[kkyyllee]

with 150 wat the depth shouldnd be a problem