Coral Lighting?

[NismoPower]

I want to build my own hood. Im planning a plexiglass frame. My dad is an electrician and hes helping me out. i need to know what kind of light is needed to promote coral/reef/anemones growth. Like for example high pressure sodium lights of HPS are for hydroponics. what kind of light is for aquariums. like the technical name?:sfish: Thanks.

 

[RyanG]

Is this for your 30 gallon? Metal Halide lighting is what you are talking about along the HPS lines but that would cause some serious heat issues IMO. You should look into T5 flourescent ballasts. If you are dead set on Halides then I would look into a 175w pendant but the heat would melt plexi very very quickly. Even the t5s probably would, Id build it out of wood.

 

[kyle]

ya i think a MH on a small tank is kinda silly but it is possible. you would need a fan on it at all times.

 

[yote]

Haildes over a 30 would probably boil the water out of it.Like Ryan said,look into T-5s.

 

[Bifferwine]

Why plexiglass? Plexiglass melts and warps very easily when heated (which lights will do).

 

[daugherty]

yes my lights broke my last tank