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View Full Version : Lighting for 30" long 20 gallon nano mixed reef?


stephent89
01/11/2013, 03:20 AM
I'm finding it hard to find lighting for this length of tank. I was looking at this light from eBay http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=290841864902&index=7&nav=SEARCH&nid=91415040961
I understand that this is not the greatest light, but I am only looking for something inexpensive because I will be upgrading to a 100 gallon in 6 months or so. My tank has been cycling for 5 months now with just soft corals. This light will just be temporary. Is this too much light for a mixed reef of my size tank? Is there possibly a good T5 lighting for this size tank as I've always been a huge fan of T5?

stiki21
01/11/2013, 10:05 AM
I have a friend with a fishneedit 30" 4 bulb t5 fixture(uses 24" bulbs). It works well enough and is just over $100 if I remember correctly.

stephent89
01/11/2013, 12:31 PM
Thanks for the reply. The fixture is currently out of stock :( however I would still be concerned with the fixture not having individual reflectors which is vert important on a T5 unit. But the price is good lol. Anyone have info in the unit I linked to?

cerolost
01/12/2013, 07:35 AM
Supposedly the fish need it fixture is great. You just replace the bulbs with geissmans and its all set. I had a 20g long that I used a K2 viper 150w metal halide on and it was great except for the heat. I'm using ecoexoxitc panorama strips now. One 12k/445 blue and a 445/magenta in a old Current 30" compact flourescent fixture. What is your budget like?

aries426
01/12/2013, 06:13 PM
I ended up getting a AquaticLife fixture and put in ATI bulbs. I did this all for around $125 and the results I got were great, its on a 15g reef tank, mostly zoas but I do have some SPS and they are doing great.

Hope it helps

TimeConsumer
01/12/2013, 07:30 PM
If you like LED you could just buy an A350w or a Radion to hang over the current tank and buy a second one for when you upgrade to the bigger tank.

stephent89
01/12/2013, 07:34 PM
I would like to spend no more than $200 on a fixture for this tank since it is only temporary. My main concern is something for good coral growth. This tank is mainly to start growing some corals for my 100 gallon I will be setting up in the next 6 months or so.

stiki21
01/12/2013, 08:41 PM
Well another option are the 2 bulb linkable fixtures from Aquatic Life. A couple of those will be at or just over your budget and wouldn't leave any funds for different bulbs though.

stephent89
01/12/2013, 11:26 PM
I looked at the fixture and its pretty interesting. Do you have any personal experience with it?

stiki21
01/13/2013, 09:57 AM
Not their linkable ones. I use their 4 bulb fixture with moonlights, led timer and fans and like it a lot. I'm guessing the linkables use the same "contoured" reflectors and just left out the extras. They do come with 1-10k and 1-actinic bulb per fixture, so I would at least change out those actinics for sure.

Michigan Mike
01/13/2013, 02:28 PM
The reflectors aren't the same, the reflectors on the non-linkable fixtures have the outside reflector area that directs the light at an angle. The linkable fixtures are a more basic/traditional design. I think the material is the same though.

I don't believe the 24"-30" 4 bulb fixtures have fans.

stephent89
01/13/2013, 02:58 PM
Well this was another option I thought about. I could buy a single metal halide fixture to hang over my 20 gallon. It may not look the greatest but I would get growth. Then in a few months when I switch to my 100 gallon I could buy one more MH fixture and add some LEDs for color. What are your thoughts on that? At least that way I wouldn't have an extra useless light fixture laying around and I could save money. Know of any decent single MH fixtures?

Michigan Mike
01/13/2013, 03:09 PM
I bought some used halides or pretty cheap. If your upgrading you may want to find someone who's selling a couple 250w pendants/ballasts.
I think a 150w is fine over a 20long & 29g tank.

Here's a pic of me temper airily holding a 150w reef optix pendant with a Phoenix 14k bulb. I got that and the sunlight supply bluewave ballast for $50.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o535/Mike_Mcdougald/Snapbucket/539D9CB2_zpsba4e259a.jpg

stephent89
01/13/2013, 03:23 PM
That's nice! Do you think a 250 would be too much for my 20 if I hung it higher? The reason I ask is because I'll be putting it over my 100 when I switch. The 100 gallon is only 18 in thick though.

Michigan Mike
01/13/2013, 06:32 PM
Its a lot but you can hang it higher and add egg crate or screens on top of your tank to reduce the light intensity.

I'd rather buy what you need if your upgrading anyway.

Michigan Mike
01/13/2013, 06:32 PM
Its a lot but you can hang it higher and add egg crate or screens on top of your tank to reduce the light intensity.

I'd rather buy what you need if your upgrading anyway.

Flatlander
01/13/2013, 08:27 PM
I use a Evergrow D120 LED over my 30in. 30g tank. Just a bit short on spread for the 30in. and punch down to the bottom, for my all sps corals. But for a mixed or soft coral tank, no problem. And the fixture is just under $200

stephent89
01/13/2013, 09:54 PM
I've been using this fixture for about 5 months now http://www.aquariumleds.com/products/120-Watt-Aquarium-LED-20K-3-Watt-LEDs.html. I have seen some growth in my corals, but not as much as I saw years ago on my 90 gallon I had with a MH fixture. The light looks great though!

Flatlander
01/14/2013, 07:41 PM
Yes, that looks identical to mine

stephent89
01/15/2013, 10:29 AM
How has this light worked for you?