Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef

jaubuchon · 09-12-2008, 09:22 PM

I've got a 29 gal reef. So far I've been using 130 watts of PC, half of which is actinic. I've also added 36 watts of T5, also half actinic.

I found a deal on a 2x175 watt MH that I bought today ($75). Here are my thoughts... I'm considering replacing the PC's with the MH. I'd then use the T5 fixture with 2 actinic bulbs. Is this overkill? If I use the MH, I need to modify the hood, so I could use one of the MH or both.

I've got a wide range of corals... Softies on the bottom, LSP corals midway, and some SPS on top. I've also got a BTA that has migrated to the very top under my t5's (this is what originally got me thinking I needed to upgrade my lights). All corals are doing well, even the SPS have grown slowly.

Thanks for your help!
Jeff

chrome91 · 09-12-2008, 09:38 PM

i would personally only use the 2 metal halides. one thing to watch for is heat, 2 175's on a 29g could bump it up 5-8 degrees

big tanner · 09-12-2008, 09:46 PM

I personally have an icecap 250watt mh pendant 14k. on my 29. I had to have an oversized canopy built to get it off the water enough. But, it lights up that little 29 like you wouldn't believe and I don't have a problem with temperature neither.

jaubuchon · 09-12-2008, 10:54 PM

Great Advice folks! Would you use 14k for both? I've never had MH's before, but I take it that its not as important to have actinics? I'd sure like to keep it simple and minimize the lights.

Thanks again,
Jeff

jaubuchon · 09-13-2008, 12:21 AM

On emore quick question... This setup didn't come with any type of shield... I've read about needing a UV shield. Is that necessary? If I mount this 6 inches above tank, do I need a glass shield?

chrome91 · 09-13-2008, 12:26 AM

its mainly what you like. 20k is blue and 10k is more white. personally i like 13k. you dont dead on need actinics, i ran my 55g with 2 150w MH 13k.

i ran my 55g no hood with halides, but alot of people i know dont use glass, cant remember why. lots of people use eggcrate to keep in jumpy fish but one guy i know had one of his anthias jump through the eggcrate hole and got stuck. my 125g has a glass top and i have halides on legs 6" above and all is good

09-12-2008, 09:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
jaubuchon Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef I've got a 29 gal reef. So far I've been using 130 watts of PC, half of which is actinic. I've also added 36 watts of T5, also half actinic. I found a deal on a 2x175 watt MH that I bought today ($75). Here are my thoughts... I'm considering replacing the PC's with the MH. I'd then use the T5 fixture with 2 actinic bulbs. Is this overkill? If I use the MH, I need to modify the hood, so I could use one of the MH or both. I've got a wide range of corals... Softies on the bottom, LSP corals midway, and some SPS on top. I've also got a BTA that has migrated to the very top under my t5's (this is what originally got me thinking I needed to upgrade my lights). All corals are doing well, even the SPS have grown slowly. Thanks for your help! Jeff

09-12-2008, 09:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
chrome91 Plate Coral Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta, canada Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef i would personally only use the 2 metal halides. one thing to watch for is heat, 2 175's on a 29g could bump it up 5-8 degrees __________________ 650- SA tank 125g- reef, 150lbs LR, 250w MH/2x65w PC, 150w MH, 15g sump 90g- SA tank 10g cube- 3 firebelly toads

09-12-2008, 09:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
big tanner Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland, Tennessee Posts: 215 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef I personally have an icecap 250watt mh pendant 14k. on my 29. I had to have an oversized canopy built to get it off the water enough. But, it lights up that little 29 like you wouldn't believe and I don't have a problem with temperature neither.

09-12-2008, 10:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaubuchon Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef Great Advice folks! Would you use 14k for both? I've never had MH's before, but I take it that its not as important to have actinics? I'd sure like to keep it simple and minimize the lights. Thanks again, Jeff

09-13-2008, 12:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
jaubuchon Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 42 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef On emore quick question... This setup didn't come with any type of shield... I've read about needing a UV shield. Is that necessary? If I mount this 6 inches above tank, do I need a glass shield?

09-13-2008, 12:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
chrome91 Plate Coral Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta, canada Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Best Lighting for a 29 gal reef its mainly what you like. 20k is blue and 10k is more white. personally i like 13k. you dont dead on need actinics, i ran my 55g with 2 150w MH 13k. i ran my 55g no hood with halides, but alot of people i know dont use glass, cant remember why. lots of people use eggcrate to keep in jumpy fish but one guy i know had one of his anthias jump through the eggcrate hole and got stuck. my 125g has a glass top and i have halides on legs 6" above and all is good __________________ 650- SA tank 125g- reef, 150lbs LR, 250w MH/2x65w PC, 150w MH, 15g sump 90g- SA tank 10g cube- 3 firebelly toads

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