20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting?

abenak89 · 11-08-2009, 12:31 AM

Lighting is first question. I want to be able to hold both hard and soft corals. So if someone can let me know how i should get? Cheaper is always better yet i wont just buy cheap to be cheap if that makes sense.

chipmunkofdoom2 · 11-08-2009, 01:31 AM

Welcome!

For a 20-29, T5s should be fine, however it must be a quality fixture with individual reflectors.

If that doesn't sound appealing, you could easily do 2 70W MH fixtures for that size of a tank. This fixture would be great if you put one or two over the tank. Just be prepared for the electricity costs and perhaps the cost of a chiller

davephelps5000 · 11-08-2009, 02:14 AM

Aqualight makes a nice clamp on single 150w MH that could do the job too.. Either way.. In a small tank like that, you def gotta watch heat..like the other man said.. But that could also be too much direct light for some soft corals.. You might possibly need to diffuse the light depending on the animals.

Clownfish518 · 11-08-2009, 02:54 AM

well, before I advise lighting, I will mention that a 29 is 30" long. T5 standard sizes are 24", 36", (and 48" etc). You have more lighting options and fixtures available if you go with a tank in the same dimensions. You will find more lights to fit a 30 long or a 40 breeder, or a 20, than a 29.

The other thing is that before you choose lighting, figure out what you will stock the tank with. What is the minimum requirements for the most light loving cnidarian you want; what is the maximum tolerated by the least light loving cnidarian. At that point you can make the right decision.

Without that knowledge, its speculation, to which I say go T5s. They are the most flexible.

abenak89 · 11-08-2009, 11:26 AM

I plan on one clown fish possibly two.. i hear they can team up tho and be a gang. so idk if i want that. other wise just some smaller fish idk what works great in that size tank? For lighting i just want good lights so I can sorta get w.e i want so i can try them all out to try finding what i like? figured i would figure it out now before i get into it and get a big tank. sorry for the crappy english and grammer lol

Clownfish518 · 11-08-2009, 01:27 PM

If you don't know what you want, T5s are the best bet. A good 4 or 6 bulb fixture with individual reflectors. 6 bulbs are a better bet - more reuse if you decide to upgrade the tank down the road.

You may not want a big tank, but a 40 or 50 gallon is much more stable than a 20 or 30. Less work. If you want to get your feet wet so to speak, a 40 breeder or a 50 is not much more expensive and easier to maintain. And has a footprint of 35x15 so it doesn't take up much room, and you are still in 36" lighting and not running up the costs. Something to consider.

abenak89 · 11-08-2009, 06:35 PM

Odyssea 24" 96W (4x 24W) T5 HO Light Fixture

i found these at aqua traders. anyone know if these are good? also are the hang on back fuge/skimmers good on that site?! because those would be a killer price and just be awesome for me.

http://shop.aquatraders.com

abenak89 · 11-08-2009, 06:36 PM

Odyssea 24" 96W (4x 24W) T5 HO Light Fixture

i found these at aqua traders. anyone know if these are good? also are the hang on back fuge/skimmers good on that site?! because those would be a killer price and just be awesome for me.

shop.aquatraders.com

11-08-2009, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
abenak89 Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? Lighting is first question. I want to be able to hold both hard and soft corals. So if someone can let me know how i should get? Cheaper is always better yet i wont just buy cheap to be cheap if that makes sense.

11-08-2009, 01:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
chipmunkofdoom2 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,307 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? Welcome! For a 20-29, T5s should be fine, however it must be a quality fixture with individual reflectors. If that doesn't sound appealing, you could easily do 2 70W MH fixtures for that size of a tank. This fixture would be great if you put one or two over the tank. Just be prepared for the electricity costs and perhaps the cost of a chiller __________________ Will sell my body for ricordea DIY High Power LED Retro!

11-08-2009, 02:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
davephelps5000 Tunicate Join Date: May 2008 Location: Towson, Maryland Posts: 12 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? Aqualight makes a nice clamp on single 150w MH that could do the job too.. Either way.. In a small tank like that, you def gotta watch heat..like the other man said.. But that could also be too much direct light for some soft corals.. You might possibly need to diffuse the light depending on the animals.

11-08-2009, 02:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Clownfish518 Razorback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bentonville, Arkansas Posts: 1,543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? well, before I advise lighting, I will mention that a 29 is 30" long. T5 standard sizes are 24", 36", (and 48" etc). You have more lighting options and fixtures available if you go with a tank in the same dimensions. You will find more lights to fit a 30 long or a 40 breeder, or a 20, than a 29. The other thing is that before you choose lighting, figure out what you will stock the tank with. What is the minimum requirements for the most light loving cnidarian you want; what is the maximum tolerated by the least light loving cnidarian. At that point you can make the right decision. Without that knowledge, its speculation, to which I say go T5s. They are the most flexible. __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham

11-08-2009, 11:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
abenak89 Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? I plan on one clown fish possibly two.. i hear they can team up tho and be a gang. so idk if i want that. other wise just some smaller fish idk what works great in that size tank? For lighting i just want good lights so I can sorta get w.e i want so i can try them all out to try finding what i like? figured i would figure it out now before i get into it and get a big tank. sorry for the crappy english and grammer lol

11-08-2009, 01:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Clownfish518 Razorback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bentonville, Arkansas Posts: 1,543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? If you don't know what you want, T5s are the best bet. A good 4 or 6 bulb fixture with individual reflectors. 6 bulbs are a better bet - more reuse if you decide to upgrade the tank down the road. You may not want a big tank, but a 40 or 50 gallon is much more stable than a 20 or 30. Less work. If you want to get your feet wet so to speak, a 40 breeder or a 50 is not much more expensive and easier to maintain. And has a footprint of 35x15 so it doesn't take up much room, and you are still in 36" lighting and not running up the costs. Something to consider. __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham

11-08-2009, 06:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
abenak89 Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? Odyssea 24" 96W (4x 24W) T5 HO Light Fixture i found these at aqua traders. anyone know if these are good? also are the hang on back fuge/skimmers good on that site?! because those would be a killer price and just be awesome for me. http://shop.aquatraders.com

11-08-2009, 06:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
abenak89 Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 20 or 29 Gallon reef start up. Lighting? Odyssea 24" 96W (4x 24W) T5 HO Light Fixture i found these at aqua traders. anyone know if these are good? also are the hang on back fuge/skimmers good on that site?! because those would be a killer price and just be awesome for me. shop.aquatraders.com

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