Coral, Invert, & Fish possibilities?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by MilesDudley, Jan 30, 2011.

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  1. MilesDudley

    MilesDudley Astrea Snail

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    Hey all, I haven't even started cycling my new tank yet but I'm wondering what corals, fish, and inverts I could put comfortably and more importantly PEACEFULLY I don't want any chemical warfare going on in my tank:) Lighting: 2x 24 watt T5 HO's zoomed, one "ultra sun" bulb and one actinic bulb, I have a 20 gallon long tank, so it's pretty shallow, keep that in mind cause it's the equivalent of more like 3.5-4.5 watts per gallon taking in to account the T5 conversion and the shallowness of the tank. Can I put a clam in a tank like this?



    Thanks in advance!


    -M
     
    MilesDudley, Jan 30, 2011
    MilesDudley, Jan 30, 2011
    #1

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  2. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Hi, welcome to 3reef,

    Since I am not that skilled in lighting, I am going to give the thread a bump for those with more experience with T5.


    :)
     
    Corailline, Jan 31, 2011
    Corailline, Jan 31, 2011
    #2
  3. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    I have a 20 gallon tall and think you and i would od better with a 4 bilb fixture at the very least espically for clam IMO. however you could do 3 boost led bulbs with the t5s and keep pretty much any thing ya want as far as the lighting issue.
     
    rc_mcwaters3, Jan 31, 2011
    rc_mcwaters3, Jan 31, 2011
    #3
  4. MilesDudley

    MilesDudley Astrea Snail

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    Hmm... Boost led's? Where could I get those? What would I search for?
     
    MilesDudley, Jan 31, 2011
    MilesDudley, Jan 31, 2011
    #4
  5. thepanfish

    thepanfish Flying Squid

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    Boost is a 3reef sponsor, check out their website boostled.com
     
    thepanfish, Jan 31, 2011
    thepanfish, Jan 31, 2011
    #5
  6. trijam

    trijam Coral Banded Shrimp

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    I would suggest a four bulb T5 set-up. It would be more than enough in a 20g, you would be able to keep anything you wanted and the fixture would look good over your tank. The LED suggestion is valid just pricey right now and the jury is still out on longterm coral and fish health. You can get it inexpensively at aquatraders.com. JMHO;)
     
    trijam, Jan 31, 2011
    trijam, Jan 31, 2011
    #6

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  7. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    I have T5's on a tank 30" deep with a Maxima on the sandbed that does great. But u probably would need at the least upgrade your bulbs to ATI bulbs...they are gonna be more powerful and better spectrum than ur bulbs u have now. I'd do 1 ATI Aquablue Special, and 1 AquaBlue Plus...but I do recommend doing a 4 bulb fixture...as far as corals go..if u get a 4 bulb u could keep any coral u wanted in that tank. But with just 2 bulbs u could probably do all softies, most LPSs, and maybe some SPS higher in the tank...possibly a clam if u keep it on the rocks...but i'd just do a new light system and not have to worry :)
     
    Kevin3884, Jan 31, 2011
    Kevin3884, Jan 31, 2011
    #7
  8. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    Craigslist can be your best friend sometimes in this hobby
     
    Kevin3884, Jan 31, 2011
    Kevin3884, Jan 31, 2011
    #8