T5 Lighting

[saltwatersubie]

I have a 34g Solana and was wondering if a 20in Nova extreme light fixture would be enough. I believe that it puts out 108w. Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

[patrick8929]

i am getting the 20 in nova extreme pros. they put out 108 watts i believe that is correct. what do you want to keep? its not alot of light for that size tank but you could probably keep some zoas and some other low light softies in there

 

[subielover]

From one subie to another...go with a metal halide

 

[patrick8929]

Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2859769
From one subie to another...go with a metal halide

+1 on that tank a T5 will be hard to find in the right length with enough watts. MH isprobably your best bet here

 

[rotarymagic]

actually that light works just fine...
my friend grows mostly sps under it in his solana...
remember top half sps, bottom half lps and softies..
no clams on the sand bed!!!

 

[subielover]

But for a few more dollars, you would have no limits. Seems like a no-brainer. Plus you get the halide shimmer for a bonus.

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2859815
But for a few more dollars, you would have no limits. Seems like a no-brainer. Plus you get the halide shimmer for a bonus.
True... I personally run MHs on my 15 and 20 lol... I'm looking to go T5HO on my 144 FOWLR.

 

[subielover]

I think t5's are nice lights, but I still prefer the look of halides.

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2859822
I think t5's are nice lights, but I still prefer the look of halides.

yeah I like the shimmer personally, but you get good even coverage with T5s...

 

[saltwatersubie]

Thanks for all the responses. Just wondering if MH will create too much heat, my tank is cycling right now with no light and the temp is 72f.

 

[subielover]

I keep my reef between 80-81 fwiw.

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2860028
I keep my reef between 80-81 fwiw.
me too.. no sense in paying an extra $30+ a month for a chiller clicking on all the time to keep a tank at 78 if all the same animals do just fine at 80-82 (and grow faster to boot!!)
If your tank is at 72F, you should be fine with a MH.. A 150w MH over your tank will be just fine especially a 10inches above the surface.. remember the tank is open top and if you have any issues, just add a fan setup to blow across the surface of the tank.

 

[subielover]

Sorry to hijack a bit here, but is it true that corals grow faster in warmer tanks like ours. I have heard that but wasn't sure of how valid that was.

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2860064
Sorry to hijack a bit here, but is it true that corals grow faster in warmer tanks like ours. I have heard that but wasn't sure of how valid that was.
yep... higher metabolism.. remember all the stuff in our tanks is "cold blooded."

 

[subielover]

Thanks for the info.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

Psh T5s!!! After having them I enjoy the shimmer and colors u can make with them. They look better than MHs and u can have a totally crazy bulb combo for some sick arse colors...

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by rebelprettyboy
http:///forum/post/2860116
Psh T5s!!! After having them I enjoy the shimmer and colors u can make with them. They look better than MHs and u can have a totally crazy bulb combo for some sick arse colors...
that's definitely true!
But the bulb color combos are only for 24inch and bigger bulbs lol not the 18inchers that go in the 20inch fixtures..

 

[saltwatersubie]

Well I bought a heater to bring the aquarium up to temp until I can figure out what lights I want to get.