20 Gallon High Lighting recommendations for mixed reef

montyjnc · 06/08/2015, 02:50 PM

Moving this thread in hopes that someone will reply

-->

Hey I am new to the reef keeping community as I have only kept freshwater cichlid tanks for the past few years. I have begun to set up my 20 gallon high nano reef and had some questions on lighting. I do not want to be limited by my light heavily on what corals I can and cannot grow, and am not heavily limited by money either. I would like to use LEDs due to lack of heat / energy consumption.

1. How many "watts per gallon"? I have heard before 3-5 watts is adequate so (20x5 = 100 watts for the 20 gallon tank??)

2. Has anyone used a Current USA Orbit 24" fixture to grow coral? is this too low of a wattage?

3. I found a few other options on amazon if anyone has an opinion on them ->

http://www.amazon.com/OceanRevive%C2.../dp/B00EBJ9ZTI

Arctic - S026 light fixture

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092LXQRM?psc=1

TaoTronics 165w led

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NNDHVCG?psc=1

GalaxyHydrom TM

4. Also finally, has anyone used an AquaIlluminations Prime LED fixture on a 20gal High tank? I know Ai reccomends the max tank length be 18" and the 20 gallon high is 24"x13"x17"

5. How high from the surface of the water should the light be?

P.S. I hope to ONE DAY UPSIZE to a larger tank! I would love if i could perhaps continue to use the same light and just purchase an addition fixture (ex. 1 ai prime and purchase two more -down the road- so i had 3 total for a larger tank)

P.P.S. Any recommendations on a skimmer? Thoughts on CPR BakPak Dual?

montyjnc · 06/12/2015, 09:09 AM

bump

Clownfish221 · 06/12/2015, 04:51 PM

Hey dude i have a 20 gal high too and i have the current usa 24inch 150 watt and its good for me no issues

Clownfish221 · 06/12/2015, 04:51 PM

I might have to replace the bulb later down the road tho....

alton · 06/13/2015, 08:47 AM

Build my led XB either 12 or 20k, get the manual dimmer

06/08/2015, 02:50 PM	#1
montyjnc Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 9	20 Gallon High Lighting recommendations for mixed reef Moving this thread in hopes that someone will reply --> Hey I am new to the reef keeping community as I have only kept freshwater cichlid tanks for the past few years. I have begun to set up my 20 gallon high nano reef and had some questions on lighting. I do not want to be limited by my light heavily on what corals I can and cannot grow, and am not heavily limited by money either. I would like to use LEDs due to lack of heat / energy consumption. 1. How many "watts per gallon"? I have heard before 3-5 watts is adequate so (20x5 = 100 watts for the 20 gallon tank??) 2. Has anyone used a Current USA Orbit 24" fixture to grow coral? is this too low of a wattage? 3. I found a few other options on amazon if anyone has an opinion on them -> http://www.amazon.com/OceanRevive%C2.../dp/B00EBJ9ZTI Arctic - S026 light fixture http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092LXQRM?psc=1 TaoTronics 165w led http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NNDHVCG?psc=1 GalaxyHydrom TM 4. Also finally, has anyone used an AquaIlluminations Prime LED fixture on a 20gal High tank? I know Ai reccomends the max tank length be 18" and the 20 gallon high is 24"x13"x17" 5. How high from the surface of the water should the light be? P.S. I hope to ONE DAY UPSIZE to a larger tank! I would love if i could perhaps continue to use the same light and just purchase an addition fixture (ex. 1 ai prime and purchase two more -down the road- so i had 3 total for a larger tank) P.P.S. Any recommendations on a skimmer? Thoughts on CPR BakPak Dual?

06/12/2015, 09:09 AM	#2
montyjnc Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 9	bump

06/12/2015, 04:51 PM	#3
Clownfish221 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 26	Hey dude i have a 20 gal high too and i have the current usa 24inch 150 watt and its good for me no issues

06/13/2015, 08:47 AM	#5
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Build my led XB either 12 or 20k, get the manual dimmer