Easiest Lighting/Tank set up for a small reef

[cranfordrd]

I have been reading and researching like crazy and need some help. I will be setting up my first reef with LR, LS, eventually a cleanup crew, maybe 1 fish (have FW tanks, never SW, very accustomed to weekly water changes). Space will allow anything up to about a 15h (which I believe has a 10g footprint), I'd be happy with a 7g bow front or Eclipse12 too. Anyway, lighting is the issue, I can not DIY (my husband is not to pleased about getting another tank and I don't think I can count on him to help). What is the EASIST set-up as far as lights/tank combo go? Is there any way to just "plug-in" a PC light into an existing manufactured hood? I am willing to keep only the easiest corals, if all goes well I will beg him to upgrade the lighting down the road.

 

[goldenboy]

do a search on this site and you will find more than enough info.
The search button is at the top of the page.

 

[Anonymous]

Custom Sea Life (CSL) makes a nice conversion for the 7 gal bowfront. I think they also make one for a 10/15 high. But if you go with a 15 high, you will need more light. I have 64w of pc on my 15 high. (and 64 on my 7 gal bow) However, I have built custom hoods for both tanks.

They also make abs hoods with pc's.
Champion lighting's CSL page

I hope this helps.

Just to let you know, both my 15gal and my 7gal are a LOT of work. Now that it is less humid, i lose a lot more water through evaporation. Just about a cup or so a day, but that is enough to cause a wild swing in the water chemistry. I am saving to get a dosing pump, but That will be a while. You might want to try getting a bigger tank to start with. (but i never did)

Brett

 

[cranfordrd]

Thanks Brett! I have been thinking about the 7g bow, glad to hear there is an easy way to deal with the lights. I am hoping that by doing diligent daily top offs (I have no source for RO so I plan on using bottled distilled) it will help keep the tank a little stable. I also plan on weekly water changes... these are 2 tasks I can do easily. Is there anything else you think would help with stability? Do you add a lot of other stuff to keep it stable?