29g lighting MH???

AC2020x · 10/09/2009, 10:39 PM

Hey, I have a 29g that i'm converting from a FOWLR into a Reef- I already have a 30" 24x2 W fixture over my tank with super blue acictics. So i'm looking for a MH ballast fixture type light. I am very new to lights. What should I look for. I was told about a 175w would do very well for my situation. would 250 be overkill? What types of things should I look for???

Also can you replace any bulb in a fixture if its the same wattage?

Any tips?

Thanks alot
-AC

reefturkey · 10/10/2009, 12:38 AM

I've seen people keep some nice stuff under 150 hqi bulbs. My personal preference is going with a 20k bulb. Since these bulbs have a lower par value than their lower kelvin counterparts I opted to upgrade my hood to a 250w EVC 20k bulb running off an ice cap ballast. This way I have that pop you get with 20k bulbs while maintaining god growth. Also if you plan on keeping clams you pretty much need as much light as possible for it to thrive.
I love every thing about it and my tank is starting to look pretty nice.

AC2020x · 10/10/2009, 12:40 AM

no clams, i'm looking at med to high level light corals- mainly softies and probably a few SPS?

Hopefully!

AC2020x · 10/10/2009, 11:37 AM

bump, how is this light? would this and my 2X24w T5's be enough to grow alot of corals?

http://www.lnt.com/show_product/4813...utm_term=48137

Over my 29g that is?

reefturkey · 10/10/2009, 12:33 PM

That should be fine. Just keep the sps in the higher half of the tank.

AC2020x · 10/10/2009, 12:49 PM

Sweet thanks, what are your thoghts of that light vs this one?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15489

Which do you think would be better for my purposes?

AC2020x · 10/10/2009, 02:36 PM

mainly i'm thinking I want to go with
http://www.lnt.com/show_product/4813...utm_term=48137
or
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15489

I can't decide which though??? i'd be getting them used for alot cheaper so price isn't an issue- which is better??

10/09/2009, 10:39 PM	#1
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	29g lighting MH??? Hey, I have a 29g that i'm converting from a FOWLR into a Reef- I already have a 30" 24x2 W fixture over my tank with super blue acictics. So i'm looking for a MH ballast fixture type light. I am very new to lights. What should I look for. I was told about a 175w would do very well for my situation. would 250 be overkill? What types of things should I look for??? Also can you replace any bulb in a fixture if its the same wattage? Any tips? Thanks alot -AC

10/10/2009, 12:38 AM	#2
reefturkey Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 164	I've seen people keep some nice stuff under 150 hqi bulbs. My personal preference is going with a 20k bulb. Since these bulbs have a lower par value than their lower kelvin counterparts I opted to upgrade my hood to a 250w EVC 20k bulb running off an ice cap ballast. This way I have that pop you get with 20k bulbs while maintaining god growth. Also if you plan on keeping clams you pretty much need as much light as possible for it to thrive. I love every thing about it and my tank is starting to look pretty nice. __________________ Visit my homepage Current Tank Info: 28g JBJ HQI Modified 250w hood, EVC 250w 20k with icecap ballast, Vortech MP20, Deltec mce300, Reefkeeper 2, JBJ Chiller, etc.

10/10/2009, 11:37 AM	#4
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Please Help! bump, how is this light? would this and my 2X24w T5's be enough to grow alot of corals? http://www.lnt.com/show_product/4813...utm_term=48137 Over my 29g that is?

10/10/2009, 12:33 PM	#5
reefturkey Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 164	That should be fine. Just keep the sps in the higher half of the tank. __________________ Visit my homepage Current Tank Info: 28g JBJ HQI Modified 250w hood, EVC 250w 20k with icecap ballast, Vortech MP20, Deltec mce300, Reefkeeper 2, JBJ Chiller, etc.

10/10/2009, 12:40 AM	#3
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	no clams, i'm looking at med to high level light corals- mainly softies and probably a few SPS? Hopefully!

10/10/2009, 12:49 PM	#6
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Sweet thanks, what are your thoghts of that light vs this one? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15489 Which do you think would be better for my purposes?

10/10/2009, 02:36 PM	#7
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	mainly i'm thinking I want to go with http://www.lnt.com/show_product/4813...utm_term=48137 or http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15489 I can't decide which though??? i'd be getting them used for alot cheaper so price isn't an issue- which is better??