96 watt "quad" 50/50 coralife strip light

[lordroad]

I'm thinking about getting the "Deluxe Aqualight" for my future ten gallon nano. I've heard the best 50/50 mix is 10000 k versus 6700 or 6500. Is there a major difference between the 10 and 6.7?

Also, I really want to go bare top for the tank. But with this kind of lighting, glass canopies are required. What kinds of other lights would be acceptable with a bare top, if this one really needs the glass top?

Thanks.

[1979camaro]

the difference is the spectrum...the 10000 is more white/blue, the others are more yellow

you don't need a glass canopy for those, they sell legs for like $7 which solves that problem

[fishcraziee]

I heard they really arnet that nice colored.. more white than blue a really light blue. Also 67k is better for coral growth but it's just yellow and most people dont like the yellow as it looks nasty. If you can find a way to balance blue and yellow and it not being green or if you like the yellow color or green color you may have nice coral growth. HTH

[1979camaro]

however, corals will grow quite well under 10000k as well

[lordroad]

I found another light I'm leaning too... and this one has a lunar light. Much lower wattage, but I won't be growing anything crazy in that tank, just eventually mushrooms and other low light corals.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx

Price is right too.

[1979camaro]

that might not be enough...that sounds like a 50/50 bulb they have in there to me so only half that light is white and half blue...but perhaps you can verify...i suppose if all you want is mushrooms/zoas that might get the job done on a ten though

[zanoshano]

i would go with the first one. I have no problem with the whitish looking light. Prefer it much more over 67 anyways. I think u would like it. I also noticed that the lights are two dfferent dimensions, how big is ur tank?

[lordroad]

Both fixtures are 20", standard ten gallon. If I go with the first one, would it heat up the tank too much in the summer? I don't have air conditioning and was planning on using a small fan to cool the water's surface when it gets hot. I've read this can be done for smaller tanks in place of a chiller.

You guys want to hear something crazy? I'm getting married next Thursday and I keep trying to tell myself to put this project off for another month... but you know, once the bug has bitten, that's about it... I'm leaning to the second light now just because it's half the price of the first, and also half the wattage (energy bill). I only plan on keeping some easy stuff so I think I should be able to get by with it.

Are lunar lights really that cool? I've never seen one before. I mean I've seen them, but never in a fish light fixture.

Thanks for everyone's help!

[1979camaro]

get that baby cycling during the honeymoon