Yet another question about lighting...

[atrialfib22]

Ok...so I am in the process of setting up my 20g tank and to upgrade the stock NO light I was considering a 24in Nova Extreme 4x24W T5 HO @ 10K/460 nm.
My goal is to have a few hardy corals (zoas, leathers, etc) and eventually down the road have a BTA. But I wanna be ready for it all now while I am in the setup stage.
The dimensions of my tank are roughly 24 x 16 x 12 (L x W x H).
I would like to know if the total of 96W is right...could I get away with half of that lighting?
The reason I ask is because I just found a good deal on a fixture that outputs 48W (2x24W) T5 HO. And I think the dimensions fit my hood a lot better than the 96W.
I am not determined to get that one...but if it would be adequate I would certainly welcome the savings $$$.
Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[wangotango]

For softies and the like, two bulbs would be fine, but if you want to keep more hard corals, then I'd go with the four bulb unit.
I would not keep an anemone in that size tank due to space (anemones tend to wonder and can kill coral as a result), and parameters are sometimes harder to maintain in smaller systems.
-Justin

 

[atrialfib22]

Thanks for the input...I have heard diff point of views regarding the BTA in a nano tank and it raises questions for me. Would the timing be a good factor to consider? Like for example...if I added the BTA first, allowing it to pick its favorite place and THEN adding the rest of the corals away from the anemone's surroundings? Would that make it a feasible situation in order to have both?
I guess I am trying to get a good feeling for what it is that I will be able to do and in what order.

 

[1journeyman]

The BTA, if happy, will grow large enough to cover much of the tank.
Just not really feasible. Anemones really aren't "reef" safe to begin with, but in a small tank where their tentacles could envelop half of the tank you just can't ask them to behave the way to want them too unfortunately.