Need help deciding on lighting upgrade

OK, I currently have a 24g JBJ nano cube tank with the stock 72w power-compact lighting. It is a reef tank with zoas and softys only. I also have a goby/pistol combo, pair of clowns, and a foxface Rabbit Fish that is getting to big and will be gone relatively soon. The tank has been running for 2.5 years without a protein skimmer.

Anyway, my stock hood is all sorts of beat up and I am going to replace it. I want more lighting power, but would like to keep the upgrade under $200 if at all possible. I was hoping someone could either direct me to a product that would upgrade my lighting system considerably at that price or outline the options I have to spend a little more. I would like Metal Halide or LED. Thanks in advance!

 

do a couple panorama pro fixtures, they are under 200 dollars and you could grow anything in that tank. they also look fantastic.

 

I would definitely go LED over MH on a tank that size... Keeping a 24g cool with MH lighting is hell. LED is much much simpler over smaller tanks.

To be fair though.. T5 is GREAT for a tank that size and would be the best bang for $200 unless you could DIY your own led kit.

 

A+ on the t5 suggestion! I'm running 4x24w t5ho on my 26g and love it! As do my corals and my clam

 

Thanks all that have replied! Quick follow-up question. I am now looking at T5 and LED systems and was wondering:

-What measurement should I look for regarding LED light strength? Is it Lumens? Also, how much is enough for a 24g tank? I don't plan on growing much SPS or other light intensive corals.

- What measurement should I look for with T5s? How much will be adequate for my tank?

Thanks again

 

Aquarium LED Lights

you could light your tank with any of these lights excluding the stunner strip. panorama pro would be the best way to go IMO. you can get the remote color changers.

i also here the cannon pendant and the tricolor are great little lights.
cannon is pretty much the led version of a halide pendant.