No clue here, but I am keeping tabs because I am considering same size setup. Keep your results posted as you go. Good luck.
30 gallon reef lighting
- Thread starter 808
- Start date
mos90;4375185; said:
I would go with a 175 MH, 10 000K... I have a 20 gal reef and I have a 175 MH, 14 000K. My corals love it. I can keep anything. The only thing you have to watch is water temp. They can warm up the water easily.
when i was researching to setup my 24 gallon tank, i saw how all the new saltwater lighting systems were switching to LED's like the Stunner LED Strips. so i built my own. theyre supposed to be bright enough and cover the right light spectrum. so i bought a similar product for a fraction of the price. alomst identical to the Stunners, but so much cheaper. theyre called piranha bars. if you wanna look into them the website is http://www.oznium.com/piranha-bar
heres a video link of the stunner strips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diCOH-BghxU
the piranha bars are 7.99 for a 10", and 12.99 for the 20". the AC adapter was 19.99. i bought 4 bars (2 blue and 2 cool white) and the adapter for about 50$. thats right around the same price for just 1 stunner strip. ive bought these lights for my truck before, and theyre still running strong. this lighting system i made is experimental for the time being, ill be picking up a hammer tip coral next week so we'll see what happens.
heres a video link of the stunner strips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diCOH-BghxU
the piranha bars are 7.99 for a 10", and 12.99 for the 20". the AC adapter was 19.99. i bought 4 bars (2 blue and 2 cool white) and the adapter for about 50$. thats right around the same price for just 1 stunner strip. ive bought these lights for my truck before, and theyre still running strong. this lighting system i made is experimental for the time being, ill be picking up a hammer tip coral next week so we'll see what happens.
I know the halides are good for hard coral....
I have a T5 Nova extreme unit on my 30gal but I only got soft coral, they do fine in it though. It has 4 bulbs, 2 are 10k actinic and then my day bulbs. Mine has fans also. I can power two or all 4 at a time... but it takes to outlets.. one for lights and one for fans. Not sure how it works with hard coral...
I have a T5 Nova extreme unit on my 30gal but I only got soft coral, they do fine in it though. It has 4 bulbs, 2 are 10k actinic and then my day bulbs. Mine has fans also. I can power two or all 4 at a time... but it takes to outlets.. one for lights and one for fans. Not sure how it works with hard coral...
For lighting recommendations...here goes.
If you have the money...do led. Search reef led on google they have some nice DIY kits that are reasonable.
Next best, halide, way more expensive to run, but cheaper up-front. Love mine, have them on both of my reefs.
After that to be honest I would tell you that PC and T5 are a toss up. There are advantages to both, but you are using a fluorescent tube. I wouldnt use either of these unless you had a super small tank.
If you have the money...do led. Search reef led on google they have some nice DIY kits that are reasonable.
Next best, halide, way more expensive to run, but cheaper up-front. Love mine, have them on both of my reefs.
After that to be honest I would tell you that PC and T5 are a toss up. There are advantages to both, but you are using a fluorescent tube. I wouldnt use either of these unless you had a super small tank.
You are confusing terms. 15000k represents the bulbs color temperature. That is akin to asking if a 5 gallon bucket will hold 15 lbs of rocks. Different units of measure. What you need to concern yourself with, primarily, is wattage. Sunpod makes a really nice 150watt unit.
http://www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html
As has been posted you might run into temperature issues. I would also recommend getting a piece of glass or acrylic sized and cut to fit over the top of your tank or else you will run into issues with evaporation.
http://www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html
As has been posted you might run into temperature issues. I would also recommend getting a piece of glass or acrylic sized and cut to fit over the top of your tank or else you will run into issues with evaporation.
