Upgrading Tank Size - Need Input

Hi all,

I have a 3 year old 20g reef tank, and Im planning on upgrading to a larger tank in the near future. My question is regarding what to do as far as lighting is concerned, and what would be the most cost effective?

Right now, I have a 24" Coralife Lunar Aqualight Power Compact Light (65W 10,000K / 65W True Actinic 03 Blue / Lunar Lights)

As far as corals go, I only really have various polyps, mushrooms and misc. soft corals, and dont see myself getting into anything that would require serious lighting fixtures.

Here are the questions I have:
1) If I were to upgrade to say a 29g, which is only 6 inches wider than what I have currently, would I be able to get by without purchasing a new lighting fixture? Or do you think that it wouldnt filter the light all the way to the edges, or that there would be an obvious difference in lighting intensity?

2) Upgrading to a 29g almost doesnt seem worth it, but it would give me a little more room, and I wouldnt have to upgrade much of my other components (filter, skimmer, heater) so it would be cheeper, but sure Ill want to upgrade again soon, so I might need to just go with a 55g - if I do that, since I already have one 24" light, could I just purchase one more, since the width of a 55 is normally 48"? Is there a way to utilize two lighting systems in a canopy? Is that recommended? Does it matter?

3) I plan on getting a canopy with my new setup (which I dont have now) and Im not 100% sure as to how the lights would go in the canopy. Right now I have my lights on mounting brackets resting on side walls of my tank, with an open top. Would I be removing the mounting brakets and mounting my light to the canopy some how? (I know that is probably a really stupid question, sorry...)

I really appreciate any input/suggestions. This forum is full of knowledgable people, some of which have probably got me through a few of my middle of the night emergency situations when I couldnt run to the nearest aquarium store!

So thank you!!

 

The 29G BioCube which I have only has a 36W 10000k and a 36W actinic and it is able to manage soft coral, mushrooms, etc.

So you should be fine. Unless maybe the shape of your 29 is totally different.

-AJ

 

In terms of lighting, it really depends on the depth of the tank, how deep the new 29 gallon tank is in comparison to the 20G tank that you currently have. You can use a piece of glass lid on your 29" so you can place your 24" strip light on the top of that one piece of glass lid. If it's the same height for your new tank and your old tank, you can place some mushrooms or zoas that require less lights on the sides and place your corals that require more light right under the light in the middle section of the tank.

 

That might work out for the 29 gallon. It really depends on how much deeper the tank is, not how wide it is. For the 55 it would probably be smarter just to get a new fixture.

 

My question is Why Upgrade and spend all that money for 9G. Sorry I'm just trying to play all the angles. would it not be more cost effective to go bigger like 55G or even 90G.

If you are only going to upgrade to 9G I would save your money and just upgrade your hardware

 

I agree with Jason, theres no reason to upgrade 9 gallons and then do it all again in a few months or even a year down the road. A reef is about stability, I wouldnt stress the animals out. My first 2 choices to upgrade tank size wise would be a 40 gallon breeder or a 75 gallon.

 

a 29 Gallon tank has it's limitations..If i were you and upgrading from a 20G, I would go 55 or higher!! That's just my opinion!!

 

You guys are right

Yeah, you guys are right....thats what Im thinking as well, just have to be practical and not rush to try to get few extra gallons now, when I know Ill just want to do it again later on. Since Im not in the position to set up the size tank with the proper quality equipment that I want at the moment...I just need to wait....the more I thought about trying to add just 9g the more ridiculous it sounded!

Thanks guys...