16 Gallon Bowfront Reef Lighting Advice

reefermonsters · 04/20/2012, 01:41 PM

Hi Everyone,
This is my first time posting here so please go easy on me if I did not post this in the correct spot. I made the transition to keeping a saltwater tank within the last four months and I need some advice about reef lighting. I have a 16 gallon bow front tank and 2ish pounds of live rock per gallon. I don’t have an abundance of cash to spend on the fixture but I am planning on spending $40-100. I am not picky about the particular type of corals I want to keep- I just want to add some color to my tank. I have found two light fixtures on ebay that seem to catch my interest.

The first fixture is a 20" COMPACT Aquarium PC Light 36W. This fixture comes with a 36W 50/50 bulb. Here is the ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-COMPACT-A...item45fa138a77

The second fixture is a T5 Quad 20" Aquarium Light HO 72W Cichlid Marine Reef LED 4x 18W. This fixture includes 2x 18W T5 lamps 10000K and 2x 18W T5 lamps Actinic Blue. There is also moonlight LEDs on the sides. Here is the link to this fixture: http://www.ebay.com/itm/110858871001...84.m1423.l2649

I know that the type of fixture most people purchase is usually based on the light intensity/wavelength demands of the coral they want to keep. I really do not have any particular corals in mind. I’m really more wondering what everyone thinks about the two fixtures I suggested. I know that many of you have experiences with different types/intensities of light. I would gladly like to hear any/all insight that anyone could give me. Thanks in advance for everyone’s help!

-Reefermonsters

Waddleboy · 04/20/2012, 03:24 PM

I would go with the T5 over the PC. If you are planning on keeping corals I would change out the bulbs. The bulbs these units usually come with arent any good. Your tank is only 18" high i believe and is wider than the light unit. I would think if you stick to softies and lps you would be okay under these lights. Anything require much higher light outputs i would be concerned. It might be okay? But i would lean towards that it wouldnt be

Ronic · 04/20/2012, 06:22 PM

one of the lights that I have found was the http://www.aquatraders.com/20-inch-4...re-p/52302.htm for on the cheep.

MarkGP · 04/20/2012, 06:30 PM

I would definitely go T5 over PC. Save up and buy a better light than the ones from ebay. Those cheap lights are just that....cheap!

reefermonsters · 04/20/2012, 10:24 PM

Thanks everyone!

04/20/2012, 01:41 PM	#1
reefermonsters Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 12	16 Gallon Bowfront Reef Lighting Advice Hi Everyone, This is my first time posting here so please go easy on me if I did not post this in the correct spot. I made the transition to keeping a saltwater tank within the last four months and I need some advice about reef lighting. I have a 16 gallon bow front tank and 2ish pounds of live rock per gallon. I don’t have an abundance of cash to spend on the fixture but I am planning on spending $40-100. I am not picky about the particular type of corals I want to keep- I just want to add some color to my tank. I have found two light fixtures on ebay that seem to catch my interest. The first fixture is a 20" COMPACT Aquarium PC Light 36W. This fixture comes with a 36W 50/50 bulb. Here is the ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-COMPACT-A...item45fa138a77 The second fixture is a T5 Quad 20" Aquarium Light HO 72W Cichlid Marine Reef LED 4x 18W. This fixture includes 2x 18W T5 lamps 10000K and 2x 18W T5 lamps Actinic Blue. There is also moonlight LEDs on the sides. Here is the link to this fixture: http://www.ebay.com/itm/110858871001...84.m1423.l2649 I know that the type of fixture most people purchase is usually based on the light intensity/wavelength demands of the coral they want to keep. I really do not have any particular corals in mind. I’m really more wondering what everyone thinks about the two fixtures I suggested. I know that many of you have experiences with different types/intensities of light. I would gladly like to hear any/all insight that anyone could give me. Thanks in advance for everyone’s help! -Reefermonsters

04/20/2012, 03:24 PM	#2
Waddleboy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 766	I would go with the T5 over the PC. If you are planning on keeping corals I would change out the bulbs. The bulbs these units usually come with arent any good. Your tank is only 18" high i believe and is wider than the light unit. I would think if you stick to softies and lps you would be okay under these lights. Anything require much higher light outputs i would be concerned. It might be okay? But i would lean towards that it wouldnt be

04/20/2012, 06:22 PM	#3
Ronic Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dexter, MI. Posts: 119	one of the lights that I have found was the http://www.aquatraders.com/20-inch-4...re-p/52302.htm for on the cheep.

04/20/2012, 06:30 PM	#4
MarkGP Why do I do this? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bristol, RI Posts: 1,015	I would definitely go T5 over PC. Save up and buy a better light than the ones from ebay. Those cheap lights are just that....cheap!

04/20/2012, 10:24 PM	#5
reefermonsters Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 12	Thanks everyone!