Lighting a 30 inch deep tank

[fishfreak2009]

Well, I'm trying to find an inexpensive light for my reef tank, seeing as my old fixture caught fire So, now my coral is barely staying alive under a single freshwater planted tank light. The problem is my tank is 30 inches deep and 60 inches long. I was looking at these two fixtures, and I would much rather have the halides because I know I could grow pretty much any coral with them, but I wanted to know if I could keep an anemone and some SPS (although my green slimer is surviving under current conditions) under the T5 setup.

Here's the halide: http://www.aquatraders.com/60in-Metal-Halide-HQI-T5-Aquarium-Light-p/54268.htm

Here's the T5: http://www.aquatraders.com/60-inch-4x80W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-p/52306.htm

Before I order anything though, I've got to convince the parents, since they would be buying it (seeing as I'm still in high school and can't find a job anywhere, as well as me recently spending most of my money on some freshwater oddballs).

 

[Otherone]

Of the 2 the Metal Haliade hands down is the better light. I'm not a fan of T-5 staight pin flourecent long bulbs tho esp. w/ no fans - maybe look for a T5 HO square pin with a fan and LEDS - gives you moonlight, daylight, and actinic

 

[Zoodiver]

Halide is a much better choice for your set up.

 

[fishfreak2009]

Halide is a much better choice for your set up.

I know it is, and that is why I would rather have it, but it is $300 more and I don't have a job. Trying to convince the parents into $130 is going to be a PITA, let alone $430. Also, the quicker I can convince them the better, since my coral isn't growing under current conditions (although at least it isn't shrinking). The blue linckia and the sun coral really seem to like the lower lighting though...

However, I am curious. Would the T5s be able to grow some acros and a bubbletip anemone within the top 10-15 inches of my tank?

 

[Bruce 1]

Do your research, the aquatrader lights have some bad reviews. I have never used one but I have read some bad stuff about them.

 

[fishfreak2009]

I've seen multiple threads on this forum where people have used these and thought that they were great for the price.

I trust these more than the old coralife fixtures I had/have on the tank. Afterall 2 of the 3 of them caught fire.

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

Do your research, the aquatrader lights have some bad reviews. I have never used one but I have read some bad stuff about them.

I think most of the issues have been resolved. I know they were known in the past to catch fire but that was related to the ballasts and they have been changed AFAIK.

I have a Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 6 bulb fixture over my tank which is 30" deep. Its sufficient for zoas, softies, maybe LPS & SPS near the top, but I certainly wouldn't suggest T5HO if you want a Nem and SPS. IMO, sell the corals and run the tank as a FOWLR until you can afford the metal halide fixture. Good luck

 

[junglej]

dont go w/ the t5's you will be dissapointed. and make sure that if you get halides, you're parents understand why their electric bill jumped.

 

[junglej]

but i do agree that halides (or L.E.D.) are the way to go. Initial $ on the later will hurt some, though.

 

[fishfreak2009]

Ya, I think I'm just going to leave the tank as it is. Lights and all. I'm not going to worry about the SPS and the anemone anymore, but have instead decided to try and focus my efforts on a butterflyfish aquarium, that is after I can save up some money.

As for the electric bill, lasts months was over $500! Guess that's what 16 aquariums, 3 big screen TVs, 3 refrigerators, and 2 air conditioning units cause...