Lighting my 20g tank

[chamic1]

Like many other people on this forum, I, too have a lighting question. I buying a 20g tank and evenutally want to house corals, an anemone and fish. I am going to go with the general rule of 5 watts/gallon; however, I do not know what type of lights to buy. I also want them to fit in a standard lighting hood.
Please comment
:notsure:
Chad

 

[viper_930]

What kinds of corals do you want to keep?
You cannot have the lights housed in a standard normal output hood. The plastic may melt and the bulbs won't even fit.
Also, anemones IMO should really not be kept in such a small tank. Minimum 30 gallons for a BTA, unless it is very very small.

 

[chamic1]

I want to have a bubble tip anemone along with green star polyps, blue-mushrooms and green lights-mushrooms. I may also buy a 30g instead.

 

[clown_nut]

Yeah if you can afford the extra costs go with the 30 instead. And if you do want an anenome you will need to invest quite a bit in lighting. Many will tell you that Metal Halides are HIGHLY recommended, which will jack your costs up even more.

 

[chamic1]

I got my 29g yesterday! I got an eclipse 3 lighting hood with 2 20w fluorecent bulbs. Is this enough light for an anemone and corals?

 

[russianspy]

Originally posted by chamic1
I got my 29g yesterday! I got an eclipse 3 lighting hood with 2 20w fluorecent bulbs. Is this enough light for an anemone and corals?
:nope: :nope: :nope: :nope:
at least 250 watts MH
and 400 watts VHO take your pics,
about same price

 

[viper_930]

A 3x65 watt power compact setup will let a bubble-tip anemone thrive.

 

[clown_nut]

If you wanted an anenome and many other corals you waisted your money on that pricey hood. If I were you i'd take it back.

 

[bot587]

I have a 29g tank and i personally use the coral life with 130 watts. However, i will not try and keep an anemone in here.... only soft corals and maybe (thats a big maybe) one hard coral later on.
Know your place when your putting corals etc. in! Do not put them in without adequate lighting!