29g or 20g long Lighting...

[Staaan]

I'm contemplating going to petco today and picking up either a 29g or 20g long. I'm assuming the lighting for the 20g long will be cheaper than for the 29g.

29g = 18" tall
20g = 12" tall

My first choice is LEDs... but I don't think I'll have the finances for it.. so thats out of the question... unless someone knows where I can get 'em cheap.

I was wondering what kind of 30" t5 light fixture would be good... (I would like to be able to keep a clam or two, however no SPS)..

Thanks for the help.

 

[Wes]

i picked up a couple 20g longs from the petco sale and have been thinking about the same thing. I will be using one of mine for a frag tank and the other is just for selling frags at frag swaps.

fyi, t5 do not come in 30" lengths but a 24" fixture should work fine.

I am considering either a 4 x 24w t5 HO fixture or a DIY LED setup.

the 20g long is only 12" high so you a 4 x 24w t5 fixture should be plenty.

here are a few suggestions at different price points...

BUDGET
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/SL-960295.html

A LITTLE NICER
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/SL-960005.html

EVEN BETTER
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ATI-3001.html

VERY NICE
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ATI-2003.html

 

[jaa1456]

i picked up a couple 20g longs from the petco sale and have been thinking about the same thing. I will be using one of mine for a frag tank and the other is just for selling frags at frag swaps.

fyi, t5 do not come in 30" lengths but a 24" fixture should work fine.

I am considering either a 4 x 24w t5 HO fixture or a DIY LED setup.

A 4 bulb set up would work on either one. Wes I see you read my post, but no thanks.

 

[TonyHNY]

The T5 fixtures do come in 30" length but the bulbs are 24". Sucks that the ends of the tank get slightly less lighting...
I have them running on my 29gal now that I bought from a MR member. I will vote on the 20 long too for lighting reasons.

 

[Wes]

A 4 bulb set up would work on either one. Wes I see you read my post, but no thanks.

what post? the one about the Petco Sale?

I bought my tanks on 8/29 when the sale started. Your post was on 9/1 but thanks anyway.:hug:

 

[Staaan]

Thanks Wes!

That helped a lot!

I hope my local petco has a 20 long.. lol. Going to go pick it up after work.

 

[jaa1456]

what post? the one about the Petco Sale?

I bought my tanks on 8/29 when the sale started. Your post was on 9/1 but thanks anyway.:hug:

Hahaha, sure you did. The sale started here on 9/1:cheekkiss

 

[Wes]

Hahaha, sure you did. The sale started here on 9/1:cheekkiss

:shhh:

http://www.carolinafishtalk.com/forum/204322-post13.html

 

[jaa1456]

Hahaha, you must have had that laying around waiting, it's funny how you knew I had a thread about it.

 

[Staaan]

I was looking around.. and I found this..

http://www.petstore.com/ps_viewitem...se&utm_campaign=pscseggl2&utm_content=ES08601

Actually found it even cheaper for about $100.

I'm assuming there is a reason why these are $100 and the ones you've shown me are 200, 300 and up.

Do these coralife lights really suck that bad?

Whats the difference?

 

[Wes]

Hahaha, you must have had that laying around waiting, it's funny how you knew I had a thread about it.

i didnt know until you brought it up. i had to click on your name and "find all posts by jaa1456" just to figure out what you were talking about...anyway lets get back on topic.

 

[Wes]

I was looking around.. and I found this..

http://www.petstore.com/ps_viewitem...se&utm_campaign=pscseggl2&utm_content=ES08601

Actually found it even cheaper for about $100.

I'm assuming there is a reason why these are $100 and the ones you've shown me are 200, 300 and up.

Do these coralife lights really suck that bad?

Whats the difference?

That light only has two bulbs.

for that price range i would go with the first fixture i linked under "Budget". It has 4 bulbs and it's made by "Sunlight Supply" a very reputable company. Plus it looks nicer It's a little pricier because it doesnt include bulbs but usually the bulbs that come with these budget lights are pretty crappy. You can choose your own quality bulbs and have a really nice fixture for under $200.

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/SL-960295.html

The extra 3 inches of tank on either side will be light up just fine with this fixture.

 

[Staaan]

Lmao.. didn't even realize it only had 2 bulbs.

 

[Wes]

fyi there is a labor day sale this at premiumaquatics. use the code "LABOR" to get 10% off your order

 

[Staaan]

Pretty affordable.

Thanks again Wes!

So.. my next question..

Bulbs? haha

I do like that "blueish" look...

Even thuogh this fixture is affordable.. I need to think about the long term.. the bulb maintainence. How much would I be looking at for bulb changes?

 

[Wes]

thats completely personal preference but I might go with.

2 x ati blue +
1 x ati pro color
1 x kz fiji purple

some other people who have tried alot of bulb combinations will prob give better advice. I'd change the bulbs annually.

 

[Staaan]

So say average ~$15/bulb, except the KZ which seems to be $25 - $30

So basically $75/a year for bulb swap.

Damn addicting & expensive hobby! haha

 

[jaa1456]

I wouldn't run a 4 bulb fixture with a purple bulb, I have never had a 4 bulb fixture, but from what I hear it is not optimal for the Par rating. I could be wrong, But I would go with 2 ATI BLue Plus, 1 or 2 ATI Blue Special, or use 1 10K bulb with the 3 mentioned before.

 

[beerfish]

The purple bulbs are a preference and have gotten good reviews. They have strong peaks in the blue and orange/reddish wavelengths and add a nice red pop to corals.

 

[Staaan]

Very interesting.

Thanks for the help guys.. I really appreciate it.

I purchased the 20g..

Can't wait to get it set-up.