Need suggestions on lighting 7 gal tank

I am wanting some suggestions on a good lighting setup for a 7 gallon tank. The tank is two years old. I was originally just going to do a fowlr tank with one or two clowns. I am now wanting to add some coral but don't have enough light for it to thrive.

Currently in the tank I have: 10 lbs live rock. 3 inch sand. 1 clown. 5 crabs. 2 nassarius snails. I put a zoa frag in last week just to see what it would do. All the polyps open up fully but the color is not very good.

I have not been able to find a light that I like for this setup so far. The tank is 17 inches wide. Any ideas as to a good light.

 

welll 7 gallon fish tank is a wierd sized tank...but you can go get some PC( Power compact) lighting and find one that has an adjustable fixture, mine is adjustable

 

13" Power Compact Refugium Sump Fish Aquarium Light 24W - eBay (item 110501922569 end time Apr-01-10 18:18:12 PDT)

1 bulb , 24w power compact. its $35 bucks shipped, but only 13" wide.. you'd have to modify the legs or make something to hold it up above your tank..


Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Aqualight Double Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights

this ones 36 watts with 2 bulbs but only 12" wide.. and its like $60 shipped.


with either one you might have to make a little wood hood to house the fixture.. pretty easy..

 

power compacts or t-5. MH would be way over kill.

 

Would I be stupid for buying the 24'' unit. Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Aqualight Double Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights
I know it would be wider than my tank but it looks as though the mounting brackets would adjust to my tank. Just curious.

 

besides looking awkward no. go for it! haha its your tank

 

LEDS would be my choice for this small of a tank I lite out 12JBL with them worked great .Ballast /transformer blew after 5 yr in a salt covering and I have yet to replace it ..

 

it would be a waste of money and the extra 7" width of lighting will be wasted. if you go that route you might as well by a 24" wide tank.

IMHO

you could get a 12-13" and mount a bracket to the wall above tank, and hang fixture 4" with cables over open top tank too. if you dont want to make a custom hood.

 

theres a mini on drsfosterandsmith.com for like 35 dollars. 9 watt 6700k and a actinic 9w. 18 watts for a 7 gal would be good for everything cept sps and clams.

 

How deep is this tank?