20 gal Lighting

[mrzon]

Does anyone have any lighting suggestions for a 20 galllon (long) reef tank? I would like to keep some soft corals, mushrooms, and maybe a clam. I was thinking about the CSL MH (175 watt) / PC (2x32 watt) combo. Is that too much?
Thanks.

 

[fishfood]

That is a good amount of light for that tank. Shouldn't have any problems keeing any of the stuff you mentioned.

 

[mikegronholz]

That's what I'm hooking up on a 20g tall, so depth of light penetration will not be an issue for you. My only concern/thought would be (depending on the canopy height) the "focus" of the MH bulb. The intensity would be less on the ends, so some lower light corals may be in order on the ends. In the middle, I would think you could keep just about anything. I personally am using 55w actinics, but I like the blue. It's all a personal preference though.

 

[richard rendos]

Works well for me on my 20 inch cube.( about 34 gallons)

 

[bdhough]

The metal halide might be a little overkill but it will definitely let you keep some of the more colorful corals... On the downside you might not be able to keep mushrooms in your tank and possibly polpys but not sure on those. Mushrooms i know like the shadier places in your tank and with so much light over your tank they may not be able to find a good spot.

 

[eelfreakrobi]

why not go for a 30 gal? more room and more corals

 

[mrzon]

Would that lighting setup work for a 38 gal (tall)? It has the same footprint as the 20 long, just deeper.

 

[bdhough]

Sure it will work for a 38. The metal halide has alot of intensity. I would suggest trying a coral at a time when you get them and see how they do. They won't just instantly die but over a couple days you may see them deteriorate or what not.
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