Which of these lighting options would you choose and why...

[juke]

Let me explain...

I currently have a new 24DX nancube cycling. I have the stock lighting setup on it. I want to have mainly LPS and zoos with 1 or 2 SPS, probably a monti cap and pocilipora or millipora.

With the stock hood, I can pay $135, at the cheapest that I can find so far, for a 70W MH setup to place in it and keep the stock PC's as well. However, I have a 250w MH setup from the 50G that I had setup a while back. The bulb needs to be replaced, but I figured that $70 for a 14k or 20k bulb would not be a big deal. I would have to fabricate a hood to fit the tank, but I have done that many times before.

My questions are this:

If this was your tank would you:

Keep the stock hood and add a 70w MH kit?
Keep the stock hood and add more PC's?
Create a hood and add the 250W 14K setup?
Create a hood and add the 250W 10k setup with the stock 2x 36w PCs?

And why would you run it that way?

Any thoughts and suggestions would be super helpful...

Thanks in advance,
Josh

 

[The Apprentice]

Re:If this was your tank would you:

Hi Josh and congrats on the 24 gallon Nano cube I have a concern with you using the 250 watt metal Halide for this reason = Heat you will have to get rid of it, Fans? OK will work evaporation? 250 watts of heat on a focused 24 gallon tank, will require auto top off to compensate for evaporation.
You can cut down on evaporation considerably with a small chiller=this will require a power head in your tank..Lots of equipment.
If you stayed with LPS,Zoo's and the Monti you my be able to keep this all fine with the stock PC's as for sps I have a 29 gallon Tank with a Current Dual satellite fixture which has 2 65 watt pc's on it and I have LPS and 3 sps frags in it thriving...
Just my 2 cents...Good luck with your choice...Jeff

Let me explain...

I currently have a new 24DX nancube cycling. I have the stock lighting setup on it. I want to have mainly LPS and zoos with 1 or 2 SPS, probably a monti cap and pocilipora or millipora.

With the stock hood, I can pay $135, at the cheapest that I can find so far, for a 70W MH setup to place in it and keep the stock PC's as well. However, I have a 250w MH setup from the 50G that I had setup a while back. The bulb needs to be replaced, but I figured that $70 for a 14k or 20k bulb would not be a big deal. I would have to fabricate a hood to fit the tank, but I have done that many times before.

My questions are this:

If this was your tank would you:

Keep the stock hood and add a 70w MH kit?
Keep the stock hood and add more PC's?
Create a hood and add the 250W 14K setup?
Create a hood and add the 250W 10k setup with the stock 2x 36w PCs?

And why would you run it that way?

Any thoughts and suggestions would be super helpful...

Thanks in advance,
Josh

 

[Elmo18]

I would do this...and again..only my opinion...

One single XM10k SE Bulb, with one pc actinic. You really don't need two. One for dawn/dusk, and that's it.

I actually turn off my actinics other than the time for dusk/dawn, and just keep the MH on as a single light.

Best,
Ilham