10 Gallon Mini Reef Setup. How much light?

Question

Im thinking of trying out a 10 gallon mini reef aquarium. How much light will i need? Do they make high wattage lights to fit a 10 gallon tank?

Answer 1

The only compact fluorescent I know of for a 10 gallon is this one: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/823/product.web . I generally use Corallife's "Aqualight" systems for my smaller saltwater tanks, but other than their mini (9"): http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10934/product.web , they don't have any lighting smaller than 24".

The amount of lighting you'll need depends a lot on what types of coral you want to keep. Stony corals need higher intensity lighting than do soft corals (in general, there are a few exceptions). You could also look at T-5 systems.

The reason you won't find many lights in this size is that 10 gallons is rather small for a marine tank - it's hard to keep temperatures and water chemistry stable in something that small. Not to mention there are very few fish that are suitable for a marine tank that size, and you wouldn't be able to keep more than 1-2 fairly small fish (and marine species tend to be territorial and large as adults).

You can get some info on general lighting needs, and needs for specific corals at these links: http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1927
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1789

Answer 2

Yes they do, you need 5-8 watts per gallon, although you are going to have a very hard time maintaining a reef tank in ten gallons, the acidity will go up and down so fast you will kill the coral.

Answer 3

.If you have the money try and buy a bigger tank. Maintaining good water quality will be hard in such small tank. after you add your coral and sand the displacement will not be 10 gallons more like 7gal. I recommend getting at least a 20 gal tank the best is a 40. Keeping corals is not easy but the more stable the water the more successful you'll be Light in a small tank will also add heat and most corals like it cold...like the ocean. Research it Mate!

Answer 4

yes they do. You are looking for about 50 to 80 watt light. Most corals need between 5 and 10 watts a gallon. Look on line for nano lighting systems

Answer 5

invertebrates are the toughest to make certain and corals are much extra complicated it doesnt rely in case you have all ideal equiptment as mild stages if no longer acceptable will do extra harm then stable, thats only the sunshine theres many extra factors to evaluate, except your incredibly desperate i might commence out extra undemanding with fish and get usto handling salt water,