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Best lighting for a 30-long

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by NeonBender, Apr 11, 2011.

  1. Apr 11, 2011 #1
    NeonBender

    NeonBender

    94
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    Hello all.  My 20 long main tank currently has a 24" Corallife CF fixture, but one of the two lamp ballasts is burnt out, and I'm looking to replace it.  I'm a little frustrated because is seems that everything is made for 24" tanks or 36" tanks.  Right now, with my single bulb, about the right 4 inchs of the tank is pretty dim.  I've got the light hoisted about 4 inches above the top of the tank.  Anyway, since this light is limping along anyway, I'd like to replace it.  The tank has some sexy shrimp, a watchman goby, a firefish, and a randall's pistol shrimp in it, and some zoo corals.  I don't think that I'm going to add any more coral for a while, but I wouldn't mind having that option.  My main desire is to get light to the left and right edges of the tank.  What are some good options?
    Thanks
     
  2. Apr 11, 2011 #2
    Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

    4,038
    Ratings:
    +738 / 8 / -0
    T5 lights work good
     
  3. Apr 12, 2011 #3
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Is it a 20 L or a 30 L?
     
  4. Apr 12, 2011 #4
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    There are quite a few 30" fixtures available...

    As long as your sticking with zoa's, you could get a 2 lamp 30" T5 fixture for around $75. Otherwise, if you want something with a bit more "grow power", you could get a 4 Lamp 30" T5-HO fixture for around $150.

    Alternatively, if you've ever though about going to a canopy, you could build a simple LED setup for that tank for around $100.
     
  5. Apr 15, 2011 #5
    NeonBender

    NeonBender

    94
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    It's a 20gallon, long.  I want to go to LEDs, because, you know, that's the cool new thing.  All the LED coral solutions seem to cost 600+ for a 24" fixture.  What is the difference between that and something that I could make?  What is a good T5 brand?  I'm familar with Oceanic, and fairly happy with them, and Marine Depot does have 30" fixture for $200.  Any opinions on it?
    Thanks again,
    Michael
     
  6. Apr 15, 2011 #6
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    3,985
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    if your taling about their led fixture it is pretty much junk.
     
  7. Apr 15, 2011 #7
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    A 20L is very shallow, so a nice T5 fixture would do anything you want.

    Get a nice 4 or 6 bulbs fixture and you will be really happy.
     
  8. Apr 15, 2011 #8
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,787
    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I have a 48 inch t5 fixture i could sell you. Has good bulbs still. Asking 100.
     
  9. Apr 15, 2011 #9
    NeonBender

    NeonBender

    94
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    No, I was talking about a 4 tube, 30" oceanic setup T5. I've read about the Oceanic Reef Ready LED lights, and the reviews aren't so good.
    Any brand recommendations? Any to avoid?
     

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