good lighting for 20 long with sps and lps corals

[saltyboy84]

hi, im doing a few thread and asking question on a tank i will be setting up in a few months.

the reason i made more than one thead is so i dont get lost in anwsers, so anyways.

lighting, what is good lighting that has worked well for all reefers that is good for softies, sps, and lps corals that is at a good price.

also one that has built in cooling fans and moon lights, thx

[redfishsc]

I'd certainly do T5HO over that tank. You can very easily dump enough light over a 20L for SPS and LPS.

Nova Extreme, 24" is one good one. So long as you get the 4-tube model, you'll have enough light reaching to the ends of your tank since the 20L is a bit longer than 24". Note that the leg braces won't quite fit, you'll need to either hang it over the tank or otherwise prop it up. BIG NOTE TO REMEMBER though is that they JUST updated this light, and the older versions do NOT have individual light reflectors. DO NOT TRUST THE COMPANY YOU ARE ORDERING FROM without calling and asking a human (or checking via email) which you are getting. I got burned on this one, and needed the light NOW so I chose to keep it--- it's still bright as heck and I grow SPS in my 10g like crazy.

Note, the Nova Extreme old version (the one without individual bulb reflectors) DOES have moonlights. The NEW version with indiv. reflectors DOES NOT. Forget the moonights and get the one with reflectors. Moonlights aren't beneficial, but they are "neat".

Both the old and new versions come with fans. They aren't as quiet as most cooling fans I've heard, so don't put this in your bedroom if you run the lights at night.

There are other lights out there. Just look around.


One caution about metal halides: while they absolutely kick butt in the "growth and looks" department, they generate a lot of heat for a nano to handle. You'd need a 150W (you might eeek by on a 70W but the price difference between a 70 and a 150 is rather minimal, and bulb replacement is almost identical). That's a LOT of wattage over a small tank and a lot of heat.

hth!

[saltyboy84]

question the T5HO, the new one do you know the price or what site i can go to so i can check it out, and thx

[tampa-reefer]

150w MH above a 20L at the height it needs to be will not cook the tank. I have had 250w over a 20L with not so bad of heat issues when evaporative cooling was used during photo periods.

Being 30inches long the linier lighting of the T5's might be more pleasing to some people. I love my shimmer lines, but I do have a 10G with T5's over it.

Reasons not known for sure some corals speaking mostly of SPS's have a tendancy to turn pastel when lighting is pushed towards the strong side.

I would look into the Sunlight Supply TEK 4x36" cost is around 280$.

[redfishsc]

Last I heard, you can get the Nova Extreme 4X24 with the reflectors from Dr. Foster and Smith at a decent price.

Now, if the TEK 4X36 is in the ballpark of $280, that might be the way to go considering overall cost. The TEKs have fantastic reflectors, and your tank will look like a ball of fire with all that light over it.

[saltyboy84]

hmm, well i know i will have to spend most of my money on lights, rock and a skimmer, and corals but corals come later, but at 280 for the TEK 4x36 your saying that, that would be a better buy for the cost, correct

[danoreef]

I have an aquapod 24 gallon that uses a Current Sunpod 150 MH I am considring upgrading to the Current Sunpod 250 MH when its time to change the bulb. The 150 is great but I think the sps needs a little more then the 150 to really flourish.

IMO you should do exacly what you are doing. but don't let it stop here, make sure to follow through with the desicion that you choose. I have found that if you cut costs to save a few bucks you will end up regretting it and spending more money in the long run.