29g Lighting

girlina4x4

Member
What sort of lights would I need to upgrade my regular ol' 29 lights so I would be able to add corals? I really want a flower pot and like the look of zoas. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, and was hoping to avoid metal halides. I was wondering if a simple new set of bulbs would do the trick? Please keep in mind I'm on a college budget!
 

nycbob

Active Member
pc light would do. but on the better side, get t5. flowerpot is a hit or miss. for most people, its a miss.
 

girlina4x4

Member
Ok, I think I'm going to go with the T5s. How many bulbs do I need? I've had my eye on a very healthy and beautiful flower pot at the LFS for quite some time and I've done all my research. Hopefully, my experience will be a hit (and not a miss!). Also, with the T5s, is there a difference between different bulbs (50/50, actinic, 10000K)? Could I just plop a T5 into my existing hood, or do I need to get a new fixture?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any and all help!
 

nycbob

Active Member
yes u will need to get a t5 fixture for t5 bulbs. perhaps a 4x39w system. flowerpot imo wont do good in a new tank. corals seem to do better in tank established for at least 6 months. b4 6 months, a tank is still going through some mini cycle. also, flowerpot wont do good in tank with clownfish.
 

mopar9012

Active Member
PC lighting, IMO, doesnt work over a 29.
Over something like a 10 gal with 130 watts my zoos were growing and fine, the same wattage comes for the 30 inch (standard 29 is 30 inches) my zoos didnt multiply all they did was grow higher(which is an effort to recieve more light)
T5 is what im trying to get into for my 29. Im looking into a nova extreme. It only has 96 watts but with T5 you dont have to have as much wattage. So Im told anyway.
You will have to get a fixture. No lighting is going to support corals in a lighting fixture from a tank kit.
 

girlina4x4

Member
The tank older than 6 months (maybe 8 or 9?). At first I was happy with FO and FOWLR for my tanks and then the flower pot inspired me. I figured I would start a reef tank in one of my smaller tanks and seeing how it goes before taking the plunge with my 90. I've got an anniversary coming up and he is slowwwwly learning that anything I could possibly want is aquatic related, so I'll probably write "T5" on post-its all over the place and leave a lovely T5 article on his pillow!
 

gatorwpb

Active Member
Originally Posted by Girlina4x4
http:///forum/post/2725045
I've got an anniversary coming up and he is slowwwwly learning that anything I could possibly want is aquatic related, so I'll probably write "T5" on post-its all over the place and leave a lovely T5 article on his pillow!

now thats funny!
t5s are certainly better than PC. The best t5s are those with individual reflectors (stronger light from the same t5 HO bulbs). But it sounds like a regular t5 fixture would be great for you.

good luck with the reef. If you really want to start with a great looking beginner coral, look at frogspawn, hammer/anchor, or torch coral. they would all be great under any 4 bulb t5 fixture.
 

girlina4x4

Member
Ok well I was wondering since SWF doesn't sell lighting if I am allowed to post a link here to the fixture I'm looking at? Its for the "Nova Extreme HO T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture" for $159.99. I can't tell if it comes with bulbs or not....
 

nycbob

Active Member
it does come with bulbs, but the bulbs will last only about 6-9 months. after that, get either ati, uv or giesemann bulbs as replacements. that fixture also does not hv individual reflectors, so keeping anything beyond softies and zoo will be iffy. perhaps a lps or two placed higher up.
 
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