Best Lighting

Cooper57 · 01/12/2010, 09:27 AM

Howdy folks, starting a 37 gallon 20"x18"x24" tall reef tank. I was recommended a 20" Nova Extreme Pro by my LFS and wanted some other opinions regarding the Nova compared to MH lighting. Plan to start simple but would like to be able to house LPS and maybe SPS in the future.

Thanks, Cooper57

cmor1701d · 01/12/2010, 12:19 PM

If you're thinking of sps in the future, plan for them now as far as lighting goes. I went form the NO lamps that came with my setuup to PC's, to the 3x 150w MH + PC fixture I have now. I am now selling that fixture and getting either a 3 x 250w MH + 4xT5-80, or a 3x400w MH + T5 fixture so I can keep any sps I happen across.

In a 24" high I would go with a 250w MH so you will not be limited.
However, some folks get great results with just T5's, so your mileage may vary.

chefmike · 01/12/2010, 02:39 PM

I think the t5 fixture would be a good start...you could place any sps in the top part of the reef...halides are great but with a tank that small you might experience some temperature issues

Shakes · 01/12/2010, 03:34 PM

Difficult to determine!!
For that Depth on that small of a tank:
either a single 150MH light that you could easily supplement with LED actinic lighting in the future if you want a smaller up front cost.
Many LED products are emerging and will continue to do so.
You can then go with a lower Kelvin bulb (more white) and then 'blue' it up with the LED's

disclaimer:
I recently purchased a KR-92 light, and while it wasn't easy to swallow the up front cost, mathematically it is cheaper over the long run and I don't have to worry when was the last time I changed my bulbs! The KR-92 is extremely heavy and extremely well built so you get what you pay for!!
I have become an LED believer!

01/12/2010, 09:27 AM	#1
Cooper57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bayview, Ohio Posts: 11	Best Lighting Howdy folks, starting a 37 gallon 20"x18"x24" tall reef tank. I was recommended a 20" Nova Extreme Pro by my LFS and wanted some other opinions regarding the Nova compared to MH lighting. Plan to start simple but would like to be able to house LPS and maybe SPS in the future. Thanks, Cooper57

01/12/2010, 03:34 PM	#4
Shakes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 70	Best light?? Difficult to determine!! For that Depth on that small of a tank: either a single 150MH light that you could easily supplement with LED actinic lighting in the future if you want a smaller up front cost. Many LED products are emerging and will continue to do so. You can then go with a lower Kelvin bulb (more white) and then 'blue' it up with the LED's disclaimer: I recently purchased a KR-92 light, and while it wasn't easy to swallow the up front cost, mathematically it is cheaper over the long run and I don't have to worry when was the last time I changed my bulbs! The KR-92 is extremely heavy and extremely well built so you get what you pay for!! I have become an LED believer! __________________ Shakes 58 gallon Rimless Current Tank Info: 58 Gallon Rimless

01/12/2010, 12:19 PM	#2
cmor1701d Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 45	If you're thinking of sps in the future, plan for them now as far as lighting goes. I went form the NO lamps that came with my setuup to PC's, to the 3x 150w MH + PC fixture I have now. I am now selling that fixture and getting either a 3 x 250w MH + 4xT5-80, or a 3x400w MH + T5 fixture so I can keep any sps I happen across. In a 24" high I would go with a 250w MH so you will not be limited. However, some folks get great results with just T5's, so your mileage may vary.

01/12/2010, 02:39 PM	#3
chefmike Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 71	I think the t5 fixture would be a good start...you could place any sps in the top part of the reef...halides are great but with a tank that small you might experience some temperature issues