T5's over 20L

johnc43113 · 12/31/2009, 12:51 PM

I know I cant necessarily use watts per gallon.

It's going to be in my office...nothing stressful..I'm probably going to keep rics, frogspawns, hammers and maybe candy canes....I would love a clam but I don't think I will get one....

HOB filter....maybe a nano skimmer MAYBE...no sump or anything special.

I'm thinking that a 2 bulb (2x24) T5 fixture will be good enough. 10k and atinic

Any thoughts?

saltwater4life1 · 12/31/2009, 02:19 PM

Well i kept pretty much the same stuff you listed in my 20gal long with PC's so i'm sure t5's will be good. I'm sure those bulbs will be fine but you'll probably want to change them to something better.

rtparty · 12/31/2009, 03:23 PM

If it is in the budget I would run ATI bulbs over the tank. One Blue Plus and one Aquablue. Going to 4 lamps would be even better and just use 2 actinics or something. That way you get a little better coverage and better color tuning.

You can even retro 2 bulbs in one Ice Cap reflector. A guy did it here on RC but I don't have a link or anything, sorry. Might want to ask Grim Reefer in the T5 Q&A thread.

nikon187 · 12/31/2009, 04:02 PM

4 would be better for bulb colour combos but 2 should work on that size tank.

cameron91806 · 12/31/2009, 04:10 PM

T5 will be good... i just got a PC light off big al's online i paid like 174.99 for it its a good light if you do a PC you could have a clam under them i had mine for about a year an he was under pc light the whole time hes growin every day lol

nikon187 · 12/31/2009, 05:33 PM

That would depend on species of clam. There is no way i would place a crocea or a maxima under power compacts.

cameron91806 · 12/31/2009, 08:28 PM

this one guy i know he got a maxima under PC and its been under it for about 10 years ... i did some lookin yes some clams need t5 or mh but the Blue Maxima Clam could go under PC

widmer · 01/01/2010, 12:08 AM

2 bulb T5 gets my vote. I think 4 would be too much on such a shallow tank, assuming the bulbs have individual reflectors.

Paramecium · 01/01/2010, 12:11 AM

I have the Current Nova Extreme 2x24w over my 20l and it works great for any lps, softies and leathers. You can also put 2 of that same fixture over the tank if you want and it will fit. They make a 30" version so it fits perfectly on the legs.

johnc43113 · 01/01/2010, 09:02 AM

I figured T5's would be acceptable. I want to keep a dersia clam.

12/31/2009, 12:51 PM	#1
johnc43113 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Circleville, OH Posts: 109	T5's over 20L I know I cant necessarily use watts per gallon. It's going to be in my office...nothing stressful..I'm probably going to keep rics, frogspawns, hammers and maybe candy canes....I would love a clam but I don't think I will get one.... HOB filter....maybe a nano skimmer MAYBE...no sump or anything special. I'm thinking that a 2 bulb (2x24) T5 fixture will be good enough. 10k and atinic Any thoughts?

12/31/2009, 03:23 PM	#3
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	If it is in the budget I would run ATI bulbs over the tank. One Blue Plus and one Aquablue. Going to 4 lamps would be even better and just use 2 actinics or something. That way you get a little better coverage and better color tuning. You can even retro 2 bulbs in one Ice Cap reflector. A guy did it here on RC but I don't have a link or anything, sorry. Might want to ask Grim Reefer in the T5 Q&A thread. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

12/31/2009, 04:02 PM	#4
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	4 would be better for bulb colour combos but 2 should work on that size tank. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

12/31/2009, 05:33 PM	#6
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	That would depend on species of clam. There is no way i would place a crocea or a maxima under power compacts. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

12/31/2009, 08:28 PM	#7
cameron91806 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nanticoke, PA Posts: 304	this one guy i know he got a maxima under PC and its been under it for about 10 years ... i did some lookin yes some clams need t5 or mh but the Blue Maxima Clam could go under PC Last edited by cameron91806; 12/31/2009 at 08:36 PM.

12/31/2009, 02:19 PM	#2
saltwater4life1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Dix, New Jersey Posts: 933	Well i kept pretty much the same stuff you listed in my 20gal long with PC's so i'm sure t5's will be good. I'm sure those bulbs will be fine but you'll probably want to change them to something better.

12/31/2009, 04:10 PM	#5
cameron91806 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nanticoke, PA Posts: 304	T5 will be good... i just got a PC light off big al's online i paid like 174.99 for it its a good light if you do a PC you could have a clam under them i had mine for about a year an he was under pc light the whole time hes growin every day lol

01/01/2010, 12:08 AM	#8
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	2 bulb T5 gets my vote. I think 4 would be too much on such a shallow tank, assuming the bulbs have individual reflectors.

01/01/2010, 12:11 AM	#9
Paramecium One man wolf pack Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 755	I have the Current Nova Extreme 2x24w over my 20l and it works great for any lps, softies and leathers. You can also put 2 of that same fixture over the tank if you want and it will fit. They make a 30" version so it fits perfectly on the legs.

01/01/2010, 09:02 AM	#10
johnc43113 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Circleville, OH Posts: 109	I figured T5's would be acceptable. I want to keep a dersia clam.