Nano Newbie Question on Lighting 29G Tank

tliss

tliss

Member
Hello all! I just joined up today and was reading many of the posts here for some advice. Obviously, nothing is specific to my situation, so I though I'd ask for opinions. I have a 29 gallon tank (30' wide x 18" tall x 12" deep) with about 50# live rock, 20# live sand, and a few fish (damsels) and crabs (1 sallylightfoot and a bunch of small hermits for cleanup). All are doing very well and all chemical checks are good. We are thinking of moving up and adding an anemone or two, but before we move onto that, we need to upgrade the lighting. This tank used to be a freshwater tank, so the light is a whopping 20 watts. I am looking at a couple of light set ups to upgrade to and wanted opinions.
1) Aqualight Power Compact (130W total) - 2 65W 50/50 bulbs
2) Current USA Orbit Compact (130W total) - 1 65W dual daylight bulb, 1 65W dual actinic bulb, 2 lunar lights
3) Current USA Satellite COmcat (130W total) - 1 65W dual daylight bulb, 1 65W dual actinic bulb, 1 lunar light
Also, is 130 watts enough? Last question would be should I mount it using the mounting kit a few inches above the water's surface or right on top of the glass canopy?
Thanks for the help!
Tom
 
T

tuningvis

Guest
first off welcome to the site
and as far as lighting i think 130w is pretty good and will be okay
i found lighting that is
CA Ultra Reef Hoods with compact fluorescent bulbs
1CAUR356 29" x 3-55 watt pc bulbs (you choose kelvin temperature) 165.00
so if thats about the price range.. you might want to look into that
i would go with legs that attach to the lighting and take the glass off and get eggcrate .. it will cut to size and it looks like this
 
gfk

gfk

Member
another option is the coral life 130 watt 24" with lunar lights. i have it, like it
 
tliss

tliss

Member
Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to order one soon. It's amazing how the stores here charge over $200 for a light kit I can get on line for about $120! Gotta love price gouging!!
Tom
 
tliss

tliss

Member
I just got my light kit and all I can say is WOW!! What a difference! The fish have definitely taken well to the new light...when the lights come on the fish really come to life!!
Thanks for all of the help. Now I just need to give it a little more time and then we'll be ready to start with corals and/or anenomes!!
Tom
 
tliss

tliss

Member
I got the Current USA Satellite with the mounting feet to get it off of the top of the tank, as well as a timer for 24hour lighting. Definitely very cool :happyfish
Tom
 
yacobito

yacobito

Member
Hey Tom (tliss), I have pretty much the exact same set up as you and am also looking to upgrade my lights to about the same power you did. Could drop me an email and let me if you know of a good place online to find lights. I would say just put the site up on the post, but links to other websites are not allowed on these boards.
yaco230@yahoo.com
Thanks so much,
Jacob
 
tliss

tliss

Member
Originally Posted by Yacobito
Hey Tom (tliss), I have pretty much the exact same set up as you and am also looking to upgrade my lights to about the same power you did. Could drop me an email and let me if you know of a good place online to find lights. I would say just put the site up on the post, but links to other websites are not allowed on these boards.
yaco230@yahoo.com
Thanks so much,
Jacob
E-Mail sent...
Tom
 
irishsalt

irishsalt

Member
Originally Posted by tliss
Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to order one soon. It's amazing how the stores here charge over $200 for a light kit I can get on line for about $120! Gotta love price gouging!!
Tom

YEah dude, Cause your supporting a faceless COmpany to be blunt...compared to a Local Buisness that may well be a big heart of your local Economy. Support your local Buisness as much as possible. Price Gouging has nothing to do with it. If they're a VERY marked up LFS then they're idiots to be blunt. NO dispespect of course but the Economy is in the hole...period and buying online isn't helping the community you live in...period.
That said....COngrats bro. I currently have a 130w Aqua Lunar Light(COralife) on my 29g High. I bought it on Sale from my *PRIce Gouging* LFS for $130.00 plus tax. Buying online might have saved me $5.00...lol. 1-65w 10k Daylight and 2 3/4 Watt LED.s. MY TANK IS GOING CRAZy. My life rock was already kicking butt and taking numbers when I just had my Eclipse top with a 18wDaylight and a 20watt Faux Actinic. I've got a Gorgeous Caluiflower COlor - the top of the tank and it's going nuts too. My Clarki Clowns look AWESOMe when I'm just running the 1-65w Actinic.
I'm very imrpessed with the Lunar LEDS to say the least. I think Coralifes Hang on LED kit is TOTALLY overpriced relative to what your buying....ALAS I love the Shimmering effect and observing the Nocturnal reef creatures.
PICS??? I'll show mine soon if you show me yours..hehe!
 
tliss

tliss

Member
I'll put up some pics soon.
Considering I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I don't think the little LFSs here add too much to the local economy. In addition, if I have to choose between the local economy and my own economics, I choose my own economics! By ordering online I saved around $100 on the light fixture. At least I bought it in the USA....the US economy is better because of me!! :hilarious
Tom
 
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