lighting for a 20 gallon long

[Cozen89]

What are you 20 gallon long owners using to light your tanks? It's an off length of 30 inches so the 24's don't quite fit.

I currently have a par38 bulb with 80 degree optics which I enjoy, but it kind of bothers me that I can't get accurate pictures under the light since photography is a big hobby of mine. So I'm looking for suggestions.

Off the top of my head a 30" sunpod or a 24" tek light comes to mind. I'm really looking for that color POP. Any thoughts on this?

[mattskims]

Im partial to T5HO. The new TEK's that are now being built with fans do not come in 24 inch length. I don't know what your price range is but a 24" ATI would be sweet hung over a 20L.

[PokerReefer]

I don't know what your budget is either , but these are a pretty sweet all in one light !

aquaticlife 30" t5ho 4 lamp fixture w/ lunar lights

[Cozen89]

the ATI's are out of my budget.

I actually just read about those aquaticlife fixtures. It's appealing because it's 30 inches, I won't have to hang it and it has a built in timer. It does not have individual reflectors tho. Anyone have personal experience with these? Because the 30" aquaticlife is about the same price as the older 24" tek light. Another advantage to the tek is I get to pick which bulbs I want to come with it.

[Cozen89]

anyone try the Sun Blaze seen here http://www.aquacave.com/sun-blaze-t-5-24-lightbr-fixture-4-x-24w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-2134.html

[JasonBJones]

I have a 30" Sundail for mine

[mattskims]

From the description, it seems like it only has one reflector for all the bulbs. I would really look for something that has individual reflectors.

[NanoDrummer09]

at first i used a nova extreme SLR, I have the same tank as you, but then i switched over to a MH Pheonix double ended 150w 14k bulb. Looks very good and i can grow anything in there now. hope that helps

[cubsFAN]

could you retro a couple t5's to run with the par38?

[Cozen89]

I have definitely thought about this, but I think it would look really sloppy. Anyone have any DIY suggestions? I don't run a canopy either. It is an open top 20 Longcould you retro a couple t5's to run with the par38?

[Cozen89]

I think I'm leaning toward the aquaticlife T5HO fixture since it is 30" long and I won't have to rig a ghetto looking hanging system. Anyone have one of these?

[intenseimage]

I am running (2) of the Nova Extreme 2 bulb SLR fixtures. In the end I still have 4 bulbs running but I can control them with my ACIII (cant with the AquaticLife due to single cord) and buying 2 of those fixtures is cheaper than any of the 4 bulb fixtures.

[Chiefsurfer]

The aquaticlife does not really have individual reflectors, but it is not one common reflector either. I have the 24" aquaticlife and love it. The reflectors are 2 seperate pieces of metal, HOWEVER, they are bent to reflect each light individually. Like basically take 2 individual reflectors, put them right next to eachother, and weld them together, that's one reflector, and the other one is the same.

Just so you know, the 30" will be 24" bulbs staggered as far as I know. If I were getting a fixture for a 30" tank, I would get the 36" fixture, as it has 36" bulbs. The width of the legs is adjustable, and would easily adjust to the length of your tank. I really love the digital timer, and single power-cord. Very set-able. You will likely have to replace all the bulbs, as the stock ones are not very good colors. The daylights are VERY yellow, and the actinics are not very blue.

[kcballer]

go with rack lighting and get a couple par38 bulbs