20L or 29g???

apolloreef · 07/27/2013, 04:10 PM

I have been planning to setup a 20g long nano, but recently found out that my apartment wouldn't have a problem with a 29g tank. The dimensions are the same except for the height so all of the parts I have bought will fit both tanks. However, my lights are two zoo med bulbs 1 10000k and 1 actinic. Do you think that the extra 6 inches of water depth will significantly impact the value of these lights? Will the added benefit of 9 gallons of water outweigh any lost benefit of the shallower water column?

Tips on what I should do before the $1 /gallon sale is over, thank you!

nlgill13 · 07/27/2013, 04:18 PM

Are you planning on having a fish only tank or do you want coral...reason I ask is that those zoo med bulbs aren't going to do the trick with LPS or SPS corals.

I would get a 29g if you can.

maddmaxx · 07/27/2013, 04:21 PM

you stated the exact pros and cons there...the extra water volume is nice to have, im not to sold on the lighting being enough for the height of the tank tho especially since one of the bulbs is an actinic. actinic bulbs don't have good par readings they are for looks really. so basically youll be runnin one bulb over the 29...so your call really. but if you went wit the 29 I would upgrade the light...

crsswift70 · 07/27/2013, 07:37 PM

You don't have much light. Adding the extra depth will only decrease what little that light will do for you. On the other hand, you never mentioned what you were planning on putting in the tank.

apolloreef · 07/27/2013, 09:20 PM

Ya sorry, if any coral it will be the most beginner of species. I just don't have the budget to upgrade them unless something comes up on craigslist. I went with the 29g for increased stability and more water column space because I'm leaning towards trying a small species of wrasse. Flow should not be an issue.

ucdcrew · 07/27/2013, 09:23 PM

My apartment manager is fish friendly. I asked her what size aquarium I could have, she said if its not specifically forbidden in your lease, I don't care...

apolloreef · 07/27/2013, 10:03 PM

Lucky, I called today to double check and the onsite people seemed to be of the attitude that if it didnt require any weight support then they don't care. So <30 and I upgraded to a 29 because it's LxD is the same.

HumbleFish · 07/27/2013, 10:08 PM

I would go with the 29 gal; either way you go you will still need to upgrade those lights for just about any coral to survive long term. You can usually find a 4xT5 fixture pretty cheap. I paid less than $100 for mine (bulbs & all) second-hand and this is how it looks on my 29 gal: http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psa17a9e56.jpg

apolloreef · 07/27/2013, 11:18 PM

Mind me asking where you picked that up? I don't have it all setup yet, but I'm thinking about just adding another 2 bulb fixture if it fits when I find a good deal. That way I could get up to 3 24W 10000k bulbs up.

HumbleFish · 07/28/2013, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloreef

Mind me asking where you picked that up? I don't have it all setup yet, but I'm thinking about just adding another 2 bulb fixture if it fits when I find a good deal. That way I could get up to 3 24W 10000k bulbs up.

I don't think they make the model I have anymore - I got it 2nd hand from a guy on a local online club - but it's basically just like this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=23758

Denbf58 · 07/28/2013, 06:14 AM

it depends on what you want to keep if you are ok with softies those lights will do fine here is a pic of my wifes 29g running two t8 1 10k 1 antic http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfbe85307.jpg

07/27/2013, 04:10 PM	#1
apolloreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 96	20L or 29g??? I have been planning to setup a 20g long nano, but recently found out that my apartment wouldn't have a problem with a 29g tank. The dimensions are the same except for the height so all of the parts I have bought will fit both tanks. However, my lights are two zoo med bulbs 1 10000k and 1 actinic. Do you think that the extra 6 inches of water depth will significantly impact the value of these lights? Will the added benefit of 9 gallons of water outweigh any lost benefit of the shallower water column? Tips on what I should do before the $1 /gallon sale is over, thank you!

07/27/2013, 04:21 PM	#3
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	you stated the exact pros and cons there...the extra water volume is nice to have, im not to sold on the lighting being enough for the height of the tank tho especially since one of the bulbs is an actinic. actinic bulbs don't have good par readings they are for looks really. so basically youll be runnin one bulb over the 29...so your call really. but if you went wit the 29 I would upgrade the light... __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

07/28/2013, 06:14 AM	#11
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	it depends on what you want to keep if you are ok with softies those lights will do fine here is a pic of my wifes 29g running two t8 1 10k 1 antic http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfbe85307.jpg __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

07/27/2013, 04:18 PM	#2
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	Are you planning on having a fish only tank or do you want coral...reason I ask is that those zoo med bulbs aren't going to do the trick with LPS or SPS corals. I would get a 29g if you can.

07/27/2013, 07:37 PM	#4
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	You don't have much light. Adding the extra depth will only decrease what little that light will do for you. On the other hand, you never mentioned what you were planning on putting in the tank.

07/27/2013, 09:20 PM	#5
apolloreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 96	Ya sorry, if any coral it will be the most beginner of species. I just don't have the budget to upgrade them unless something comes up on craigslist. I went with the 29g for increased stability and more water column space because I'm leaning towards trying a small species of wrasse. Flow should not be an issue.

07/27/2013, 09:23 PM	#6
ucdcrew Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 563	My apartment manager is fish friendly. I asked her what size aquarium I could have, she said if its not specifically forbidden in your lease, I don't care...

07/27/2013, 10:03 PM	#7
apolloreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 96	Lucky, I called today to double check and the onsite people seemed to be of the attitude that if it didnt require any weight support then they don't care. So <30 and I upgraded to a 29 because it's LxD is the same.

07/27/2013, 10:08 PM	#8
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	I would go with the 29 gal; either way you go you will still need to upgrade those lights for just about any coral to survive long term. You can usually find a 4xT5 fixture pretty cheap. I paid less than $100 for mine (bulbs & all) second-hand and this is how it looks on my 29 gal: http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psa17a9e56.jpg

07/27/2013, 11:18 PM	#9
apolloreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 96	Mind me asking where you picked that up? I don't have it all setup yet, but I'm thinking about just adding another 2 bulb fixture if it fits when I find a good deal. That way I could get up to 3 24W 10000k bulbs up.