Good light for a 30" wide 29 g tank

Flyboy41 · 09-30-2008, 09:50 PM

Hi all.
I have a 29 gal 30" wide/long tank and I am wondering what would be the best light from a beginner. I'm looking to put some mushrooms and zoos in the tank and all I have now is a single 24" 50/50 flourecent bulb that I put in the stock hood that came with the tank.
I'm hoping not to bust my budget either. All advice is welcome.

BigAl07 · 09-30-2008, 09:57 PM

For those corals you can go with fairly simple CF lights. I personally would try to get something slightly "more" than what you need now so you can "Grow" into it. I started with a simple flourescent light fixture, moved up to a slightly better CF one and then a few months later upgraded again (can you hear the cha ching $$ sound in the background?). Better to go ahead and get a "good" one now that will last you longer. You don't have to go with something exotic like Metal Halide right now (which would add a LOT of heat to your small tank) but maybe think about looking into T5's for your tank. I know you're not wanting to break the budget but if you were to HIT the lottery check into Solaris LED's. In the LONG run they could be less expensive but the initial purchase price can have a significant "Sticker Shock".

I think (if I woke up in your shoes today) I'd go for something like the Nova Extreme T5 unit like
Nova Extreme T5H0 | Current What's Next

It's not easy to find a 30" fixture just like I had problems finding a 20" fixture. I bought a 24" one because the bulbs never go to the tip and this way I have 2" on either side EXTRA so my tank is WALL to WALL light!!

good luck

Flyboy41 · 09-30-2008, 10:03 PM

Would a 24" have long enough legs for a 30" tank? My current setup just has the stock hood and light that came with the tank. It's a 29 gal Wal-Mart special. The bulbs in the current light are 24"

BigAl07 · 09-30-2008, 10:04 PM

I was thinking more like trying to get a 36" for your 30" tank. I'd want to do some measuring and such but where there's a will there's a way.

I'm sure with some looking around you'll find 30" fixtures though.

SoccerBum474 · 10-01-2008, 02:08 AM

what about the 30" 150w sunpod MH or the 36" 2 x 150w sunpod MH...i have the older 70w version on my 12g and the temp never goes over 81...im sure if you look around you can find a used one in the next couple weeks

yungreefer2410 · 10-03-2008, 02:19 PM

i happen to posses my old 130 watt power compact. i replaced the bulbs about a month ago. if your interested send me a pm

09-30-2008, 09:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flyboy41 Tunicate Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 18 View Gallery Karma Komment	Good light for a 30" wide 29 g tank Hi all. I have a 29 gal 30" wide/long tank and I am wondering what would be the best light from a beginner. I'm looking to put some mushrooms and zoos in the tank and all I have now is a single 24" 50/50 flourecent bulb that I put in the stock hood that came with the tank. I'm hoping not to bust my budget either. All advice is welcome.

09-30-2008, 09:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Nerd :) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 24,093 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Good light for a 30" wide 29 g tank For those corals you can go with fairly simple CF lights. I personally would try to get something slightly "more" than what you need now so you can "Grow" into it. I started with a simple flourescent light fixture, moved up to a slightly better CF one and then a few months later upgraded again (can you hear the cha ching $$ sound in the background?). Better to go ahead and get a "good" one now that will last you longer. You don't have to go with something exotic like Metal Halide right now (which would add a LOT of heat to your small tank) but maybe think about looking into T5's for your tank. I know you're not wanting to break the budget but if you were to HIT the lottery check into Solaris LED's. In the LONG run they could be less expensive but the initial purchase price can have a significant "Sticker Shock". I think (if I woke up in your shoes today) I'd go for something like the Nova Extreme T5 unit like Nova Extreme T5H0 \| Current What's Next It's not easy to find a 30" fixture just like I had problems finding a 20" fixture. I bought a 24" one because the bulbs never go to the tip and this way I have 2" on either side EXTRA so my tank is WALL to WALL light!! good luck __________________ > > > >Read ME < < < < when you're in need of answers or help with your tank. *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Big Al's 10g.... BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle.... Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef.... DIY LED Fixture - Allens OFFICE 12g by chipmunkofdoom2

09-30-2008, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Flyboy41 Tunicate Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 18 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Good light for a 30" wide 29 g tank Would a 24" have long enough legs for a 30" tank? My current setup just has the stock hood and light that came with the tank. It's a 29 gal Wal-Mart special. The bulbs in the current light are 24"

09-30-2008, 10:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Nerd :) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 24,093 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Good light for a 30" wide 29 g tank I was thinking more like trying to get a 36" for your 30" tank. I'd want to do some measuring and such but where there's a will there's a way. I'm sure with some looking around you'll find 30" fixtures though. __________________ > > > >Read ME < < < < when you're in need of answers or help with your tank. *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Big Al's 10g.... BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle.... Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef.... DIY LED Fixture - Allens OFFICE 12g by chipmunkofdoom2

10-01-2008, 02:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
SoccerBum474 Scopas Tang Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca Posts: 457 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Good light for a 30" wide 29 g tank what about the 30" 150w sunpod MH or the 36" 2 x 150w sunpod MH...i have the older 70w version on my 12g and the temp never goes over 81...im sure if you look around you can find a used one in the next couple weeks __________________ Cole 12g rebuild: -70w 14k sunpod -Rio 600 return pump @ 200 GPH Fish 2 Tank-Raised True Perc's SPS Red/Orange Monti Cap, Green Monti Cap, Green Bottlebrush Acro, Purple Stag Acro, Green Smiler, GARF Bonsai Acro Valida, Purple Encrusing Monti, ORA Hawkins, ORA Red Planet, ORA Purple Plasma, True Leng Sy Cap, Blueish Poccilopora, Purple and Pink Birdsnest, Idaho Grape Cap LPS Green & White Aussie Acan Lord, Green Pagoda Cup, Frogspawn, Neon Green chalice, Neon Green Candy Cane Softies Blue Mushroom, Pink w/ green Spotted Mushroom, Wam'n Watermelon Zoas, Radioactive Dragon Eye Zoas, Pink Palys, Purple Zoas with Yellow skirts, Bam Bam Orange Zoas, Purple People Eater Palys, Orange People Eaters, Creamsicle Zoas, unknown Green Zoas, Camo Palys, Neon Red Mushroom, Greenish polyp toadstool. Inverts 2 Tiger Striped Serpent Starfish, Various Snails, Dwarf Hemits http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...llon-nano.html

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)