20g lighting

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by nemo79, May 5, 2007.

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  1. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

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    Right now on my 20g there is a 24" NO light. My hubby wants to upgrade but not to MH. He is debating on pc's or T5ho's. He wants some coral in his tank...shrooms, zoo's, xenia. What is the best light for this size of tank? We saw at big al's a marine glo t5ho 2 X 24 watts for $169. What is the wattage rule for a small tank?
     
    nemo79, May 5, 2007
    nemo79, May 5, 2007
    #1

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  2. SuperScro

    SuperScro Flamingo Tongue

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    The watt per gallon rule is just a basic thing to follow. I believe smaller tanks are a little different though. I have seen tanks that were 24 gallons and had only 48 watts, allowing them to keep a variety of corals. There is a 24" Nova Extreme T-5 which gives you 96 watts, and would allow you to keep a lot of differnet corals for your size tank. Plus it gives you lunar lights.
     
    SuperScro, May 5, 2007
    SuperScro, May 5, 2007
    #2
  3. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

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    what about this

    Is this light any good:

    Current-USA:
    24" Orbit 2*65W SunPaq PC Fixture w/Lunar Lights and Fan
    Welcome to Orbit, the 24-hour lighting revolution. The SunPaq Dual Daylight and Dual Actinic come together with a Lunar Light in one sleek, fan-cooled fixture. Orbit offers the leading technologies in an integrated system that works around the clock.
    The most complete 24-hour lighting system
    Highest output of any power compact lighting system
    4 lamps in 2 (Dual 65w Daylight and Dual 65w Actinic)
    European look
    Lunar lights positioned every 12" (2)
    Includes docking mounts and parabolic reflector
     
    nemo79, May 5, 2007
    nemo79, May 5, 2007
    #3
  4. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

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    That would work fine in your tank set-up with the corals you mentioned IMO!
     
    coral reefer, May 5, 2007
    coral reefer, May 5, 2007
    #4
  5. SuperScro

    SuperScro Flamingo Tongue

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    Thats a good choice :)
     
    SuperScro, May 5, 2007
    SuperScro, May 5, 2007
    #5
  6. cerpin_taxt

    cerpin_taxt Bristle Worm

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    i would have to agree. i have a 20 long reef tank with a current usa 30" fixture. 2 65 pc dual daylight and dual actinic. it works great but i cant keep the sps i want until i upgrade!!! booo hoooo
     
    cerpin_taxt, May 5, 2007
    cerpin_taxt, May 5, 2007
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  7. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

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    We aren't interested in sps. Mostly softies and maybe a plate coral.
     
    nemo79, May 6, 2007
    nemo79, May 6, 2007
    #7
  8. Black_Raven

    Black_Raven Scooter Blennie

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    If you can swing it, go for the 96 watt Nova Extreme with the T-5's. The 2x65w PC will work fine but PC bulbs need to be replaced every 6-9 months IMO and experience with them. T-5's need to be replaced every 12-18 months depending upon the length of you photo period daily. Even after just 2 months of use you can see a noticable decrease in the brightness of PC bulbs.
     
    Black_Raven, May 8, 2007
    Black_Raven, May 8, 2007
    #8