Think this will work?

I was given a reptile fixture that I would like to use for a small reef tank. You can see a similar model below.



I already swapped a 50/50 15w fluorescent bulb out the cheap light fixture that came with the tank, and it is seriously twice as bright in this one. The inside is painted gloss white and seems to be a very good reflector, but I could possibly line it with Mylar or something similar if needed. My idea is to use a 15w flourescent actinic bulb and 2 full spectrum CFLs. The mogul bases are rated up to 100w, so I could run some large bulbs, but I was thinking a pair of 100 or 150 equivalents, so 25-30 each. A total of 65w for a 20 gallon long tank, I may eventually upgrade to a 29.

I'm mainly worried about keeping softies and an anemone. So, think it'll work?

 

It might work, Nealio. It's certainly better than nothing, right?

I believe that as time goes on, most of us get this itch to "do" our reef tanks as good as can be done. If you get bit by this bug and develop the itch, you'll eventually buy the biggest, baddest fixture out there to shower your livestock with love.

For now, however; while this fixture won't work as well as one specifically designed for reef aquariua, I think you might be OK with it. One consideration though--keep in mind this fixture was not meant to be placed over water, so there's not going to be a splash guard--and it will be FAR more susceptible to rusting, so keep an eye on things.

Good luck.

 

I think sparky hit the nail on the head here, it wont work. See how where your flourescent tube connects to the fixture, there is no seal there and the same for the bulbs. salt creep will get in and destroy the fixture.
personally i wouldnt do it - plus i dont believe enough par would be output for the requirements of an anemone from this.

good luck in what ever you choose to do. Personally i would buy a 2nd hand T5 fixture for now. but thats what i would do.

 

Well, I went ahead and tried it with a pair of 29w CF in conjunction to the 15w T8 fixture. HOLY CRAP, that was a lot of light. I'm definitely going to try this some more. I'm going to install a piece of plexi to protect the bulbs and their connectors.