What bulb for 29G Possible Reef tank

[JaredCBell]

If I want to eventually go reef in my 29G (which has a single florescent strip bulb, not sure of the wattage right now) what would be a good light? What wattage?

edit: Ok its a 30 inch Light strip and the bulb i have in there right now is a 17W. On the back of the lightstrip (not the bulb) it says 20W 120 volt 60 hrz. Does that mean, you cant go higher than 20W with this light strip?

[saix88]

You are going to need completely different lights depending on what types of corals you want.

If you do not want SPS or clams I would go with power compact. This would be good for a lot of soft corals like mushrooms and zoos.

If you want SPS or clams later on I would go with T5. *would have to put them higher up though.

If you want to be able to do anything then get Metal Halides. Metal Halides are very expensive and produce a lot of heat.

[coachfraley]

I am a huge fan of T5HO lighting. Get a 4 or a 6 bulb system, and you will be able to keep just about anything you want. You can also buy bulbs to get the exact color you want for your tank.

[oldhead]

T5's are a great choice provided the fixture has quality individual reflectors. A quality T5 light can rival the output of metal halide while producing less heat and consuming less power. You will also have greater options concerning bulb selection and color. The one thing metal halide does provide that T5's won't is the shimmer effect. Some people can't live without it, others are less worried about it.

[unleashed]

The one thing metal halide does provide that T5's won't is the shimmer effect. Some people can't live without it, others are less worried about it.

The funny thing is, is that I have found that with enough surface agitation, T5s will also provide the shimmer effect.

That was one thing that really discouraged me from changing from MH to T5s was the lack of shimmer I read about with T5s

As I said above, you should get a good shimmer effect provided you have lots of surface agitation...........

[oldhead]

I do see some shimmer in my tank but nothing on the level of a MH light. Not even close. I was thinking about going MH on my next tank but T5's are still in the running.

[coachfraley]

I am having some high output leds custom made so that I can get shimmer on my T5 setup. We will see how they work out.

[gem]

I love and will always stay with my MH's. Addicted to shimmer!!!! :18:

As for the answer to this question....you just can't keep coral under standard flourescent. Not only will it lose color but it will just plain die. Maybe mushrooms will live.....but that's about it and they won't be colorful. At minimum I would invest in good Power Compacts. You can keep just about anything including very few sps. But.....even then, you won't get the brilliant colors some corals are at their most colorful. I've used power compacts from the very beginning until recently when I set up my 110 gal. I was succesful at keeping coral but alot of coral that were quite brilliant when I bought them lost alot of color under PC's.

T5's are great. But as Oldhead said, you'll want to make sure each bulb has it's own individual reflector or you won't get the light dispersion you really need. I would recommend a minimum of 6 bulbs and 8 being best. More than that is pointless unless you have a really wide tank.
I know a few people in my reef club that run T5's and the colors and growth they get with the right combination of colors of bulbs in the right order is amazing!!!

But IMO there is nothing that compares to MH's. The downside is the heat.

[JaredCBell]

Ok so I know really little about lighting and lighting fixtures, etc. My tank hood, light strip and bulb came with the aquarium kit which I bought a long time ago. And it is a piece of junk!

I like the tanks which have the raised lighting strip and thats it. No hood. But how do I search for that or know if it will fit my tank? Can someone recommend me a good light strip as well?

My tank is a 29gallon and measure from edge to edge (of the black plastic crowning around the top) 30 and a quarter inches.


I think this is what i am talking about: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Ironically Jared, you liked to one of the best choices for T5HO light fixtures. LOL Nova Extreme fixtures have a very good reputation and are quite popular in my reef club, and they do very well.

As to how much your corals color up, while a lot of it does have to do with lighting, much of it has to do with nutrient levels as well. I upgraded from PC lighting to T5HO lighting and it didn't really make a difference in the colors of my corals such as my Monti caps, however about 2 weeks ago I started dosing with Dr. Brightwells formulas, and the colors on my Montis have exploded. Sometimes it is just the light, but sometimes it is a combination.

[coachfraley]

I think this is what i am talking about: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Those fixtures are awesome, but it is 24". To mount it, you would need to suspend it from the ceiling. You might be better off getting a 36" and having some overhang (the fixture's legs can adjust to fit a 30" tank). Some companies make fixtures specifically for 30" tanks ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]).

[JaredCBell]

Those fixtures are awesome, but it is 24". To mount it, you would need to suspend it from the ceiling. You might be better off getting a 36" and having some overhang (the fixture's legs can adjust to fit a 30" tank). Some companies make fixtures specifically for 30" tanks ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]).


How come it says 30 inches on it? It cant adjust out to fit my 30 inch tank?

Well here is a 36 inch would this do? [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Also, what bulbs would be good to start out with. I plan on just getting a few anemones, and coral later on down the road. I will have plenty of time to research all of this since my FOWL isnt even fully set up yet. I just need to know what direction to take my lighting and what to look for.

[oldhead]

How come it says 30 inches on it? It cant adjust out to fit my 30 inch tank?

Well here is a 36 inch would this do? [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Also, what bulbs would be good to start out with. I plan on just getting a few anemones, and coral later on down the road. I will have plenty of time to research all of this since my FOWL isnt even fully set up yet. I just need to know what direction to take my lighting and what to look for.


If you want to keep high light animals I would suggest that you seek something with a bit more output. The stock bulbs will do for a time until you have enough information regarding what to replace them with. In a T5 light the most important thing to consider is the relfector. You want a fixture that has quality independent reflectors for each bulb to get maximum output. Current has one that's pretty descent from what I hear. Check around marinedepot.com or marineandreef.com.

[JaredCBell]

If you want to keep high light animals I would suggest that you seek something with a bit more output. The stock bulbs will do for a time until you have enough information regarding what to replace them with. In a T5 light the most important thing to consider is the relfector. You want a fixture that has quality independent reflectors for each bulb to get maximum output. Current has one that's pretty descent from what I hear. Check around marinedepot.com or marineandreef.com.


oh I didnt even know it came with bulbs! So those bulbs are good for some anemones and stuff?

[coachfraley]

A 2 bulb fixture will not be enough for anemones. You will need a 4 bulb fixture, preferably with the individual reflectors that oldhead mentioned. The 2 bulb fixture will basically make your tank low light, as far as corals are concerned.

The stock bulbs that come in most fixtures are OK, but you can get MUCH better output from ATI or UVL bulbs.

Just a word of warning, anemones tend to do better in established, mature aquariums. If they are not happy they will wander all over your tank, stinging everything in their path. If they end up dying in your tank, it is like setting off a bomb in there, so you will need to keep a close eye on it.

My suggestion would be to at least take a look at some of the corals that look like anemones (frogspawn, torch, hammer). They are much easier to keep and they won't move around.

[JaredCBell]

ok so if i want to house frogspawn, torch or hammer, Would this setup be ok?

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

What other types of corals would be able to live well in this lighting?

also, this is 36 inches, exact length of the top of my aquarium is 30 1/4 inches. Does this light adjust to smaller sizes?

[oldhead]

ok so if i want to house frogspawn, torch or hammer, Would this setup be ok?

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

What other types of corals would be able to live well in this lighting?

also, this is 36 inches, exact length of the top of my aquarium is 30 1/4 inches. Does this light adjust to smaller sizes?



Save your money..... Don't skimp on the lights or the skimmer. That light is bare minimal. You will be able to house some animals with it, yes. However you will not have the a grand variety to choose from nor will you see growth and color peak like you will end up wanting. Going out and buying something cheap just to get started now is wasting time and money as you'll only end up replacing it later. Trust me I've already learned this lesson.

To answer your other question, lights with legs do adjust, or you can hang them from the ceiling with about $10 worth of hardware from one of the big box stores.

[coachfraley]

The 2 bulb fixture will basically make your tank low light, as far as corals are concerned.


Frogspawn, torch, and hammers are medium light corals. They would not do well under that fixture, especially in a tank with your depth. That fixture would probably limit you to zoas and mushrooms.

[JaredCBell]

Ok, how about this setup?

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Only problem with this is that it is 36 inches. And I really dont want the over hang. So then there is this option:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

But will the legs adjust OUT so that it will fit 30 inches? Does that make sense? Right now my light strip is 24 inches but it is sitting on a hood. And The 30 inch lights like this with the legs are really expensive. Not sure why, this size 29gallon is common.

[coachfraley]

I know what you mean, but the legs will not adjust out, just in. That is why I suggested the 36" instead of the 24". There is also the wattage factor to look at...The 36" model has 60 more watts of light.

I don't mean to pick apart your choices, lol, but that 24" fixture also has a single reflector instead of individuals.

I agree that it is stinks they don't make more 30" options, but to be totally honest, I don't think a 29g has very good dimensions for a reef tank. The 12" width makes it difficult to fit rock and a sand bed, and the height of 18" makes it tough for light to hit the bottom. IMHO, the best reef tanks are wide and shallow like a 40breeder.

[JaredCBell]

So i decided to NOT go with a reef setup fully with this tank. Too small and this tank is more of a practice project. I will save the reef tank for a 125g when we get our new 1800 Sq ft home.

So I am choosing this lighting:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

question is, can ANY corals live under this lighting? I ask in case my friend who owns a shop decides to give away some of his mushrooms or something.

thanks.

[JaredCBell]

or would a frogspawn be ok i obtained one of those?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

A frogspawn would do just fine under that light, providing you don't stick it in the very bottom of the tank.

[oldhead]

Personally, I think you're going too minimal but that's just my 2 cents. Back to your question.. Mushrooms may be OK though you might find that they don't really pop color wise. And you can always go with some non photo-synthetics if you want something to look at.

[JaredCBell]

Personally, I think you're going too minimal but that's just my 2 cents. Back to your question.. Mushrooms may be OK though you might find that they don't really pop color wise. And you can always go with some non photo-synthetics if you want something to look at.


Minimal even if it is a FOWLR setup? How so?

[JaredCBell]

oh and what about Green Zoanthid Polyps ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]). How would they fair in that lighting?

[coachfraley]

Zoas and shrooms will grow fine, the only problem will be that they will not color up the same way they would under more intense lighting. Zoas that have light coloring (like pinks and light greens) will look light brown under low lighting.

[JaredCBell]

Zoas and shrooms will grow fine, the only problem will be that they will not color up the same way they would under more intense lighting. Zoas that have light coloring (like pinks and light greens) will look light brown under low lighting.

So if i got that fixture with higher wattage bulbs (if I decided to later on down the line) would bring out their colors? And what shrooms would you suggest so i can research them? and frogspawn?


i know this sounds like the typical person who wants to skimp and get the bare minimum because of money issues or whatever but honestly, I only want like one coral (mainly for my wife because she loves them), other than that I am only getting some brittle stars, snails, hermits, couple fish.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

you can't get higher wattage bulbs in that fixture. Bulb wattage in high output fluorescent lighting is limited to the power of the ballast.

[JaredCBell]

you can't get higher wattage bulbs in that fixture. Bulb wattage in high output fluorescent lighting is limited to the power of the ballast.

Oh i forgot to ask that. Ok well thats good to know. one more thing, with these european style light fixtures, when I remove the hood, do I leave the top of the tank exposed and open or do I need to get a piece of plastic or plexy glass cut to go over it?

Just wondering if anyone has issues having open tanks (granted you dont have jumping fish)

[travie]

Oh i forgot to ask that. Ok well thats good to know. one more thing, with these european style light fixtures, when I remove the hood, do I leave the top of the tank exposed and open or do I need to get a piece of plastic or plexy glass cut to go over it?

Just wondering if anyone has issues having open tanks (granted you dont have jumping fish)


All fish can be jumpers. Some people have open topped tanks with no problems, others like the security of having a cover. I think it is wise to have the tank covered for a little while right after adding a new fish at the very least, because fish when scared can have the tendency to jump. Plastics are not a good idea for covers, because they will bow/bend. Go with glass or a plastic mesh netting if you decide to have the tank covered.

Open top tanks will need to be topped off with freshwater more often then closed, but open tanks offer better gas exchange thus oxygenating the water better.

[coachfraley]

Go topless! You can always build a screen if you have jumpers.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[JaredCBell]

Go topless! You can always build a screen if you have jumpers.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

thats sexy. Can I get a full body shot please?

[coachfraley]

thats sexy. Can I get a full body shot please?

Oh, I only have an old shot of my whole setup...way before I added my jumper guard:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[JaredCBell]

nice. thank you. thumbs2:

[oldhead]

Minimal even if it is a FOWLR setup? How so?


You keep asking about corals..... I'm assuming that you're trying to adhere to a FOWLR system but are easily swayed towards reef. You can use any light on a FOWLR system.

[oldhead]

I don't use anything on the top of mine. I've only had one fish jump to date which was a small reef chromis. I do like the one that Coach has going on though, nicest looking one that I've seen to date.

[JaredCBell]

what is the difference between Actinic lamps and freshwater lamps. Im not understanding what that means?

[JaredCBell]

or would this be a better option:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


than this: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[AABatteries]

Actinic bulbs produce blue light and bring out the color in the livestock. "Freshwater" bulbs, actually daylight bulbs, produce the most light the coral and anemones use, compared to actinics.

Skip the Jebo, you get what you pay for, crap. From what I've heard the actinics aren't even actinics, they're green. If you want to not spend a lot, look into FishNeedIt ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) lights, for the price they work great, I have one my self. If anything goes wrong with your fixture, they'll gladly replace/fix it for you. So, for the price its worth it.

[JaredCBell]

Actinic bulbs produce blue light and bring out the color in the livestock. "Freshwater" bulbs, actually daylight bulbs, produce the most light the coral and anemones use, compared to actinics.

Skip the Jebo, you get what you pay for, crap. From what I've heard the actinics aren't even actinics, they're green. If you want to not spend a lot, look into FishNeedIt ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) lights, for the price they work great, I have one my self. If anything goes wrong with your fixture, they'll gladly replace/fix it for you. So, for the price its worth it.

So FRESHWATER bulbs are actually good for coral?

i am not planning on really keeping anything, just want the option to house a mushroom or zoa later on down the road if I chose to.

[AABatteries]

There is no thing as a "freshwater" bulb. Just a daylight bulb. Its the spectrum of the light the bulb produces. Actinics aren't used with freshwater mainly because they don't benefit plants. And don't really add to the looks of fish, except making shiny fish appear a bit blue.

Coral use the light from actinics, but not as much of it as daylight. If you did all daylight an no actinics, it would almost be worthless because you wouldn't get to see the beauty of the coral to its full extent with the blue tint. So, yes the daylight bulbs are more beneficial for coral than actinics.

[JaredCBell]

There is no thing as a "freshwater" bulb. Just a daylight bulb. Its the spectrum of the light the bulb produces. Actinics aren't used with freshwater mainly because they don't benefit plants. And don't really add to the looks of fish, except making shiny fish appear a bit blue.

Coral use the light from actinics, but not as much of it as daylight. If you did all daylight an no actinics, it would almost be worthless because you wouldn't get to see the beauty of the coral to its full extent with the blue tint. So, yes the daylight bulbs are more beneficial for coral than actinics.

awesome thanks for the clarification. Glad I didnt get the jebo or whatever.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Skip the Jebo, you get what you pay for, crap. From what I've heard the actinics aren't even actinics, they're green.

You may not want to judge them so harshly if you've never had them. The actinics are most definitely not green. I happen to have had a couple of fixtures from them and they work great. No, I wouldn't call their construction anything to rave about, but it is certainly adequate. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another fixture from Aqua Traders (main dealer for Jebo) and use them. Inexpensive does not automatically equal bad; sometimes it does, but not in this case.

[JaredCBell]

alright well I went with the current USA. i am getting into scuba diving so this light will restrict me from buying costly corals!