minimum lighting setup up needed...

I have a 29 G 30" tank, thats 18" tall. What is the bare minimum required lighting setup fixture that will be suffice to take care of a reef tank? I only ask because I want to know where the minimum to look and how higher i want to go. thanks ahead of time for any insights...

 

Minimum light for softies, mixed, LPS or SPS?

 

What kind of corals are you looking to keep?

Do you plan on keeping a clam ever?

I would probably say that I would get a 4x24 t5ho setup of some sort. A Metal halide system will work as well, like a 150w DE setup, and add a couple blue LED strips to supplement the halide.

Do you have a canopy on the tank? If so, you might want go with a t5ho retrofit.

 

ahh my apologies i wasnt specific enough... I am starting off new so I was thinking softies and some zoos, there is no canopy on the tank. I might get one later in time but for the time being i dont have one...

also i dont know what LPS or SPS means i am totally new to this reef keeping hobbie my apologies

 

Some LPS and most SPS & clams require more lighting than softies and zoas. You could find fixture for 2x65W PC (dated), or 2x24W T5 or similar, enough for your current coral choice.

LPS - Large Polyp Stony
SPS - Small Polyp Stony

 

I would simply find a nova extreme 4x 24w t5ho fixture for that 29g or get a 4x24 retrofit and call it a day. That type of lighting will keep anything, and will be very efficient. Going with PC's is an energy hog that does not allow much beyond those softies you are looking at. Plus, t5ho bulbs can easily last a year (actually a lot more) unlike the PC bulbs which will only last 6-9 months before you need to replace them.