Lighting for 29gal

[mrbudman24]

I was wondering what type of lighting I would need for a 29gal tank (30x21x12). I have a BTA that I just put in yesterday. I am currently using a reg flourescent light, but know that I need either a T5 or MH, just not sure which. Is there a recommended wattage per gallon that I should try to be at?
I have asked 3 different LFS and they all are having me buy the most expensive lighting system.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
mrbudman24

 

[bluemantr]

I have 29g tank too. I had 195w PC lights but zoas started loosing colors i went trough same question too. I ended up getting 175w mh. T5s are good but if you upgrade your tank than you have to get new T5 fixture but with MH you can add another unit thats all. I think MH better choice.

 

[mrbudman24]

Any specific model or size I should look at getting? There are just so many choices that I don't want to get the wrong thing.
Thanks,

 

[bluemantr]

250w MH would be good choice for 29g tank.

 

[thegrog]

Originally Posted by Bluemantr
250w MH would be good choice for 29g tank.
250 IMO is a little high as you will start running into heat issues with that many watts. 175w is plenty.
Where are you located at? I have a custom oak hood for a 29 gallon with 175w MH and 65w PC (plus moonlights) that I have been trying to sell. Email me if interested thejediray@aol.com

 

[nygel]

I have a similar question (no need to make two threads on same topic) I was looking up T5 lights for my 29 gallon, and they all say 18-watt.... thats not good is it? what wattage of t5 lights is good? MH are out of the question due to heat/ money issues.

 

[mrbudman24]

That was kind of my concern. I have a hood for the stand and not sure how to go about putting the better lights on it. Also, not sure how much I want to put into lights for the 29g since I am already thinking of getting a larger tank.

 

[bluemantr]

Originally Posted by nYgel
I have a similar question (no need to make two threads on same topic) I was looking up T5 lights for my 29 gallon, and they all say 18-watt.... thats not good is it? what wattage of t5 lights is good? MH are out of the question due to heat/ money issues.
When i was looking to upgrade lights I saw almost all 24" fixtures had 24w T5HO bulbs. You can always put some computer fan for heat problem. Thats what i did. I didnt have any heat problem with MH. Even my MH bulb 5-6" away from water surface. But again T5s are good too.
Originally Posted by mrbudman24
That was kind of my concern. I have a hood for the stand and not sure how to go about putting the better lights on it. Also, not sure how much I want to put into lights for the 29g since I am already thinking of getting a larger tank.
You can get MH pentand and hang it over the tank. Let me tell you this when i put my MH light on the tank I couldnt beleve how corals looked like. They loved this light. They opened up double size.

 

[robsw]

I run a 250watt DE MH w/ a 14k hammy bulb about 12" off the surface. My coral looks awesome and i dont have any heat problems.
Rob

 

[mrsgoose]

I just got a current-usa dual-daylight 24-hr satellite light (phew, long name!) with 65W actinic and 65w daylight, plus lunar light. It wasn't cheap, but a big difference! Now I want to add some softies!