Cheap Nano Reef Light Hood (a)

[@ipsfdotcom]

the beauty of these bulbs is that they are self-ballasted! the fat white part at the base of the bulb itself is the ballast. (we mention that at 2:30 of the video.) once you screw in the bulbs you're done. the hood has a single plug-in cord and a single push-in switch. it could not be simpler:)

[@ipsfdotcom]

It's an excellent idea, and it works fine -- we've tried it both ways.

[@ipsfdotcom]

We recommend changing the bulbs once a year. It's a simple matter to break the silicone bead with a knife or razor, install the new bulbs, and re-do the silicone.

[@ipsfdotcom]

You're right, that section does get some spray, but it's not a problem with the generic paint we used. If you're worried about it though you could use the White Krylon. It's a few dollars more but Krylon is made specifically for plastic. BTW, the hood and lights shown in this video have been in continuous use now for four months and are working great.

[@ipsfdotcom]

the acrylic lens is sealed in place with a bead of aquarium sealant, but you can remove it to change the bulbs. It has to be resealed again of course. The ideal arrangement would be an o-ring seal but that would have to be engineered. This is the DIY alternative. Call it a functional prototype.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Painting the hood is optional but it does give better light reflection and we are trying to maximize light reaching the organisms. The bulbs need to be kept dry -- if saltwater splashes on them they may short out. If your arrangement keeps them dry then it is okay.

[@ipsfdotcom]

@Bso616 Yes, the 50/50 PC power compact light is designed specifically for use in reef tanks. The total of 40 watts provided by the 2 Coralife 20-watt bulbs does indeed support growth and reproduction of hardy colonial anemones and soft coral species, especially zoanthids, mushroom corals (Actinodiscus), common leather corals like Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Xenia and others. The actinic portion enhances colors and does contribute to photosynthesis as well.

[@ipsfdotcom]

That ringing noise comes from our big electric air blowers (2.5 hp). Most large commercial aquaculture facilities use these to aerate the tanks:)

[@ipsfdotcom]

The original fixture supports the bulb with no mods. Make sure the hood you buy matches the one in the vid exactly, as there are now some variants on the market.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Aloha! The lens does serve an important purpose in keeping saltwater splach off the bulbs and electrical sockets. It could cause a short circuit if saltwater gets in there, so yes, I would say the lens is necessary, and also try to patch up any cracks in the hood with silicone if possible. I just checked your tank video, well done!!

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes, it works great with 2 bulbs of 20 watts each, giving total of 40 watts for the hood. Semper FI!

[@ipsfdotcom]

Hey, glad to hear your trying this out! Our reasoning with the white paint is that it will increase the reflectivity of the hood and make the most of those 4 watts per gallon. Some of the light bounces off the water, back to the hood, then back to the water, etc. White is a better reflector than black, but I don't think a perfect paint job is absolutely necessary:)

[@ipsfdotcom]

You can buy the kit, which has the tank, filter and hood in one box, or you can buy the individual items separately off the shelf at Walmart. It's a little cheaper to get the kit, but either approach gives the same result in terms of hardware.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes, you can, if the mix is 50/50 daylight/actininc, preferably with 10,000 K daylight. This will give 8 watts per gallon, more than needed for most soft corals but enough for most stonies including SPS varieties. Watch out for overheating though -- you may need to set up a fan that blows over the hood.

[@ipsfdotcom]

if you are new to reefing, our recommendation on stocking a 10-gallon tank would be to begin with some man-made rock, a shallow aragonite sandbed and a few hardy soft corals such as zoanthus polyps, actinodiscus mushrooms, anthelia and sarcophyton. You'd only add these after using the first month to establish populations of essential micro-organisms, as discussed in our videos. This will allow you to learn the basic concepts and responsibilities of reefing without putting fishes at risk.

[@OnyxObelisk]

This series of videos has been fantastic, I appreciate al of the work and knowledge you try to cram into just a few minutes. I am a freshwater owner who wants to get into Saltwater. I have all of the equipment for a 10G set up already and your videos have got me fired up to go ahead and do it! Thanks! Quick question: What about proteins? Everywhere I go I see "you must have a protein skimmer if you're running salt water!" How are you by-passing this claim?

[@ipsfdotcom]

the sealant is pretty soft even after it dries. you can just use a box cutter to slice through it.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Thank you Todd, that's a terrific tip! Some of the newer 10 gal kits have a different style of hood than the one in our video. It is nice to know the correct hood is still available. Note also that many Walmarts still sell the correct 10-gallon hood as a separate unit but you have to open the box to make sure. This does not hurt the box though:-) Note also the references on our Channel Page to the Odyssea 36 watt PC fixture which works well on the Nano Lagoon for only $25 or so online.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Thanks, we really appreciate having some comparative numbers on how much things cost now across America. Our prices for some of these items here at the Kona Wal-Mart could well be toward the high end of the scale:) Consider, for example, that we pay over 40 cents per kwh for electricity here, well above the national average. Yoikes!

[@ipsfdotcom]

The white spray paint used in this demonstration does not come into contact with the seawater. It is fully protected by the plexiglass lens. The only spray paint we've recommended for actual contact with seawater is Krylon.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Thank you for the tip!

[@DaytonaRoadster]

sweet. I've got a 55 and a 30 gallon, but my room whos been doing freshwater, wants to try a reef tank, but he's poor, so this is prefect for him... ....though i imagine, i'll end up doing the maintance...

[@ipsfdotcom]

@orcryst3 only if the ambient temps are above 80 F or so, in which case you can set up a cheap house fan behind the tank to blow air across the hood

[@ipsfdotcom]

At about a dollar a can you'll find that spray paint is cheaper and less messy. Plus it adheres far better than brush-on acrylic paint, which is not designed for use on plastic. The acrylic paint will probably flake off.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Best way is to use a metal straightedge and clamp it right to the acrylic with c-clamps, then run the blade carefully along the straightedge many times (like 20 or so) to make the cut. Don't try to cut it all in one pass. You can do this without the c-clamps but you need to be VERY careful not to cut your hand. Keep your fingers well out of the way of the blade. Try a sample piece first.

[@ipsfdotcom]

@manning2g09 Thanks for the tip! The more we do to keep costs down in this hobby the more people can afford to enjoy it! DIY rocks!!!

[@ipsfdotcom]

@furian89 Yes. the little 5-15 HOB filter is all you need for a simple 10-gal nano reef tank with some hardy soft corals and LPS corals.

[@ipsfdotcom]

It should be possible. Either that or just use a house fan placed behind the hood.

[@DaytonaRoadster]

...what happens if a bulb burns out? I thought about using plastic clips to hold the glass to the lid

[@ipsfdotcom]

This is a freshwater kit, sold in Walmart, that we are adapting to saltwater use.

[@DaytonaRoadster]

how do you remove the sealant without breaking the shield?

[@ipsfdotcom]

if he goes with this Nano Lagoon system and sticks to some hardy soft corals the only real maintenance is cleaning the glass and topping off evaporative loss, plus maybe a quick sand stir a couple of times a month. we like simplicity...

[@vanhalenman60]

for hea i put acouple small drill holes and cut ahole for a computer fan

[@dlopes500]

Hey what is the significance behind the painting the hood white. Also can u get away without having a splash guard. thx ur videos r great

[@jjohn984able]

could you put aluminum foil behind the light would that make the light brighter

[@ipsfdotcom]

Aloha! Glad to hear that you're enjoying the video series. [Check out lordofthereef's KZbin channel if you have not done so already as he is doing a cool Nano Lagoon series!] The skimmer advocates aren't wrong at all. They just don't run their reef tanks the way we run ours:) We include only organisms which reproduce on their own in the system and which don't require constant inputs of organic food. Deviate from that approach and the need for skimmers and water changes arises.

[@benbored]

This is an awesome vid, I'm going to give it a try. One question though, does the original incandescent fixture support the coralife bulbs, or do i have to mod it too? Thank you, in advance -happy reefing.

[@TheTortoiselover09]

how would you change the lights

[@Magnetul]

He painted it white to increase reflectivity. What I wanna know if he can just use Aluminum Foil instead, or would that get to Hot?

[@TheGoodstuff69]

would lining the hood with tinfoil with holes for ventilation work better? I am also wondering if a regular strip light hood i found in my basement would work just as good as long as it is rated for two 25 watt lights and I use a homemade plexiglass top so i can feed the fish and look down at the tank without picking up the whole top, wrecking the light with saltwater, and can replace the lights when necessary?

[@kerrywbarr]

I bought the Walmart kit and found out this is not the hood in the video as well. I am taking it back. Petsmart sells the tank and the right hood for $30. I have another filter I can use so no big deal.

[@vanhalenman60]

whats the ringing noise

[@jimi5161]

you would b better off using satin white paint it reflects better than the gloss

[@davidbergeron575]

is this enough light to keep coral?or just till you can get a upgrade

[@ipsfdotcom]

@SG4235 2 x 20 watt Coralife bulbs are the minimum, but see the Comments section of our Channel page for an alternative lighting setup

[@fishkeeper6734]

Nice

[@noahgabe1]

where do you get the light bulbs

[@ipsfdotcom]

This is discussed in the comments above.

[@fishguy113]

one questions were the bulbs at walmart also?

[@ipsfdotcom]

it will work as a softie tank with no skimmer as long as you don't overload it. in our opinion this tank is too small for two clowns. if you do add them you'll need to include water changes and a skimmer as part of your maintenance routine.

[@hotdoghee123]

i did this but i didnt paint the hood and i also didnt silicone the plexie glass to the hood i just layed it down under neath the hood is that ok to do

[@furian89]

i was just wondering, how is it that a regular freshwater filter can be used for saltwater, because i already have a 28g saltwater tank, i just want a little 10 gallon for my room and i already have the 10g tank but i thought it wasn't possible because of the type of filtration i would need.

[@brilly21]

if i have a 5gal tank,can it be enought one buls of 20watt for corals,or for what will that keep at live?

[@Elitetank87]

i am thinking of starting one of these tanks and i was waondering if you have to paint it white. Also why can't you just leave the little protectors on? instead of buying more plexiglass please answer thanks

[@ipsfdotcom]

Which filter did you have in mind to use?

[@helton1026]

What are the bulbs an where can i get them i can get the rest but do i have to get the bulbs online

[@Bso616]

@ipsfdotcom With the bulb being 50% actininc would that mean there's only 20w of usable light for the corals? I don't know much about coral lighting but I wouldn't think actinic lighting would help the coral with it's food supply that would use photosynthesis.

[@benbored]

Hello there, I bought a thin acrylic sheet it is 18x24 and only .093" thick. But i can't seem to cut it with a sharp blade Uline blade. I never got any instructions at home depot. Can you clarify on how to cut it the acrylic and in straight lines?? Thank you

[@visualkeirockstar]

where can i find the exact 20-watt Corallife 50/50 light bulbs you have? i have the same hood you have too

[@ipsfdotcom]

Some of the new Walmart 10-gallon starter kits have a modified hood. However, Walmart still sells the original style hood as a separate unit. It is called the Incandescent Hood and is about $22. Before buying one be sure to open the box and visually confirm the configuration.

[@Magnetul]

Was this tank in the start up kit the same tank yuo bought separately?

[@Claya94]

Can you please tell me what fish you put in the tank? I am thinking of converting a tank I happen to have(which as I just realized looks exactly like this one) I want simple fish as I am just starting out in the saltwater hobby(I have been doing freshwater for years but I heard it's like day and night). Do you have any ideas or experience on fish that worked for you?

[@ipsfdotcom]

Aloha to all -- There's a contest running right now on our Channel Page, with $100 in free livestock to be given away (4/16/09).

[@ipsfdotcom]

Hello, was your kit purchased at Wal-Mart and is it the same brand as the one in the video?

[@DaytonaRoadster]

yeah, i know..he's really lazy, i'm already toping off his freshwater and feeding his fish....he's a musician..you know how they are :)