[Techy-Mechy]

I've been making the final decisions on my future nano tank lighting, yet I'd like to get some opinions on my possible set-ups.

Background: I am setting up ~15gallon viewable area nano tank with a 5 gallon refugium/sump - a std 20 gallon tank - 24"Lx13"Wx16"H - the divider wall is perpendicular to the length of the aquarium and I'll be viewing the end opposite of the refugium. I am designing my lighting system and I'll be making my own aluminum hanging pendant. I am going to use a 150W AB 10,000K MH bulb and actinic supplementation for the lighting.

Problem: What kind of actinic supplementation should I use?

1. Use two of the 13W actinic 03 kits from LampsNow and place one actinic bulb in front and one in back of the MH bulb (MH bulb axis is perpendicular to the lenth of the aquarium). The 13W ballasts will have to reside in the hood and right next to the 13W lamp. I'm worried about reliability problems due to the heat of the DE MH bulb. I hear that the LampsNow bulbs look much better than the Panasonic 7100K blue bulbs.

2. One 24W Osram actinic bulb located on the back of the MH bulb driven with an external ballast. I hear that the Osram actinic bulbs are the best available. I estimate that the bulb will be fairly close to the tank divider wall - about 3" from it.

2a. One 24W Osram actinic bulb located on he front of the MH bulb driven with an external ballast.

3. Change the orientation of the MH bulb so that the axis is parallel to the tanks length and use one 24W Osram actinic bulb located parallel to the MH bulb. Locate both ballasts off of the pendant.

4. and 5. Use two 24W Osram bulbs either both located in front and in back of the MH bulb (agnalageous to 2.)or both located on either side of the MH bulb (agnalageous to 3).

I'm really stuck with the form factor issue with my pendant. I cannot have the pendant any larger than about 13"Wx14"Lx6"H.

I welcome your responces, critique, and suggestions for improvement.

Thanks,

Dave

[jlazo]

I just added a Sunburst 12,000k 175 watt to my 20. I also have 2 28watt actinic PC's. Personally I think the MH bulb alone looks great. I am not sure what color temp you are looking for but I like the look of a bluer tank.