confused over first reef light...

wait a min, are you looking at the 2 bulb unit or is it a 4 bulb unit?

 

thanks i plan on getting some soft corals down the road. would this fixture be good for them? What lights should i replace them with.

 

A 30" tank is an adventure to fit with a good fixture. There are 30" fixtures out there, but they house 24" bulbs. They are just made to fit the tank.

Basically, you are looking for a quality unit with individual reflectors and hopefully good bulbs to boot. For your 29g, I would just suspend a 4x24W 24" fixture over it. You could go for a 36" unit, but there would be overhang.

Now as for a beginner light.....there is no such thing really. Lighting is not to be skimped on. Lighting and skimming. Two things that need money spent on them. At the very least, I would go with a Tek unit. They make a good quality fixture with good reflectors and it comes with your choice of high quality lamps. I use UVL. Others use Giesemann, ATI or a combination thereof. But these bulbs are much better than the bulbs that come with, say, the Nova Extreme or Nova Extreme Pro. With the Tek, the splash shield is not included (needed IMO) and you would need to get the hanging kit as well.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/24_inch__4x24W_Tek_Light_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

Top end would be ATI. Superior reflectors that don't stain as easily as the Tek's and a better overall quality unit. More expensive. Comes with the hanging unit and the splash shield. Has active cooling. Very nice unit. Comes with bulbs of your choice (UVL, Geisemann, ATI or Icecap).

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/24_inch__4x24W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

Myself, I run an 8x54W Tek over my 90g. I love it. It's a great unit. I also run UVL bulbs. Bulbs are going to be an individual choice as opinions vary soooooo much on them.

 

I would go for a 150W MH pendant light myself. The speckling/glittering effect you get from them looks more natural than the diffused light from any florescent lighting. Also, you'd be able to put just about anything you want in there.

You can get a 150W set up pretty cheap.

 

You have many options but in a way not so many. Like others covered, there is no 30" T5 lamp, so you will be using 24". A 4x24w fixture is MORE than enough for a beginner reefer on a 29. You will no matter what need to suspend the light as you have no way to place the 24" light over a 30" tank. Hanging is no big deal as it gives you the freedom to raise and lower the lamps if certain corals aren't happy and it lets you raise the unit up if you need to do maintenance on the tank.
NEP aren't all that terrible, I used to knock them quite abit but until I test them I am going to keep my mouth shut. Tek's have earned my respect even more so now than before, even the Tek 4 lamp really rocks.
ATI, Giesemann and UVL make good lamps. As does Korallen Zucht.

If you decide to go MH there is a plethora of options, from MH/T5 units, to MH pendants to MH clamp on lights such as the Viper.
Many people with your size tank would opt with the clamp as they are very easy to use and essentially they are plug and play. Pendants you would of course, need to mount/suspend.
I would start with 175w before jumping to 250, you just wouldn't IME need the 250w at least yet.
Many people if using one lamp will do a 14,000k-20,000k lamp to get a nice blue look. Coralife makes a clamp lamp and they come with I believe a 14kk, but if you swap out for their 20kk the blue is incredible, one of the bluest MH lamps I have seen, but there are BETTER lamps out there than Coralife.

I would personally skip Odysea but since I haven't seen one since the great house fires of yesteryear I cannot comment on workmanship.

Good luck!!

 

the only thing i am worried about is that the one i want only has two bulbs they are a 10000 degree Kelvin and a 460nm actinic. are these ok for a 29 gallon aquarium with a few corals or should i get something with more lights. i am on a budget so that is why im looking at the ones i am.

 

i would get one with 4 bulbs if ya can. 2 bulbs would work for a few things, and if you plan on upgrading your tank after you get into it, then i would go with the 2 bulb. most people tho, after they get a few simple corals, catch "the bug" and want to buy MUCH more.
APD-32827- this ones at marine depot, and is fairly priced. less than $200 is not much to spend on an integral part of your tank. i know you are on a budget, but your cycle is going to last 6 weeks, and you want lights out until then anyways. while the cycle is going on, save up an extra $100.