Lighting for 10 gal aquarium

I'm looking for a preferably inexpensive light fixture for a 10 gallon tank. It's a typical chain store bought 10 gallon tank with I'm fairly certain a 20" (freshwater)light ballast currently on it. I would like a proper lighting fixture for a saltwater tank. Any recommendations are welcome. I have live rock, a single clown fish, one hermit crab currently in the tank. I would like the opportunity in the future to maybe put a small anemone in there.

Metal Halide, HQI????

 

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Lateral Lines: Classification and Terminology For Reef Aquarium Lighting

 

sunpaq sells a 40watt pc retrofit kit.i'm very pleased with mine.i had to build a canopy for it cause no one sells a fixture for that wattage

 

PC is probably the cheapest/best way to go. They use little electricity, much more adaptable and compact (and cheaper up-front) than T-5. For example, there's no 30" T-5. MH looks cool, but you probably couldn't get anything more than 150W and would need a large canopy to house the thing high enough off the water.

 

MH's do come in 70 watts but I wouldnt put that over a 10gal tank. As David mentioned, PC's would be the best choice IMO. I had 130watts( 2 x 65 watts ) over a 45 gal tall tank and everything was happy. Keep in mind the rule of thumb for salt water is 4-5 watts per gal. of water for some corals. If you decide later you want more " light " demanding corals, you will need to up grade to 7-9 watts p/g. Hope this helps, Luna

 

I just have a single 50/50 24w bulb over my 12 gallon tank and surprisingly a couple of small Anemones. Soft corals (zoa's, Kenya Tree and Finger Leather growing like gang-busters)...(plus a health patch of hydroids - )

If all you plan is to keep soft corals, you do not need much light in a Nano. Anemones may need a bit more. Small Anems, I suspect need much less then large.

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I have the coralive 96W power Quad and it is awsome. I got the legs for it so it sits about 3 inches off the surface of the water...

 

I am using a Current USA 80w dual satellite on my 10. it has a moon light (wish it was 2) a cooling fan (not one issue with heat), a separate cord for all the light and fan which is a nice feature. It also comes in a 40 watt version which is allot cheaper.

In this 10 Gallon are some Zoa's, Xenia, Kenya tree, a leather (name escapes me) a 5 (soon to be 6 head) candy cane, green star polyp, A mushroom or two (that hide under the ledge) various other no name polyps, Cabs, snails, and a rock with a large patch of hydra that's going to disappear soon , and yes Mr. McKenzie I know you tried to tell me! All are growing like crazy (especially the hydra)

So I would recommend a PC for that tank for sure.