What size MH to get for 29gal???

[tubsy3]

Hi all,

I want to move up to MH lights for my 29gal. The problem is that it is 30" long and I cant find any lights that will fit that. When I decided to first start the tank I got PC since it was the only thing I could find that would fit. Should I get the 24" or a 36"?? Are the legs adjustable to fit on smaller tanks? I was thinking of getting the coralife with pc acintics or the orbit one. Any recommendation would be awesome!

Chris

[Geoff]

you can go a touch smaller without a problem with MH's they have a good spread pattern.

you could prolly even get away with a single 150w DE pendant without difficulty.

G~

[110galreef]

A 24" fixture with 1 150w MH and 2 PC or T-5's would be an awesome combo....

Or just a single 150 would work as well!

[tubsy3]

Hi guys,

I just picked it up. It is 36". Didnt have much choice as i got it as a good deal from someone else. But the problem is that the thing wont fit over the tank lol. Is it safe to use wood blocks and prop the hood up? Or is that a fire hazard?

[Geoff]

wood is a better choice than steel. as long as the wood is not touching the MH bulb you will be fine. it takes a lot of heat to combust wood. i have seem plastic melt before wood looked affected.

have you thought about hanging the fixture?

G~

[tubsy3]

it would be better if i could hang it but the place ,my tank is in is wierd. There is like a wall shelf that is above it but the shelf doesnt come out long enough for me to hang the hood from it so that it would be directly over my tank. Man it looks so much better than with the pc's happy with the purchase . Just need to get it over my tank in a nice way lol. what can I use to hang it? It seems like there is no holes or anything to attach it or will i need to diy. Any links to something like that?

Thanks!

[Geoff]

could you post a link to the fixture you are talking about. most pendants have a way to hang them.

G~

[Loverotties]

Maybe you can add on to the bottom shelf to stick out some more.Also what make of fixture?Coralife makes brackets to hang their fixtures.

[Casey]

or just get longer bracket shelf holders that stick out further and hang it from them

[Raccio]

with this bigger lighting system you should just get a bigger tank. I have a 29 gal reef and just bought a 40 gallon breeder. I'm looking into getting the same lighting as you. 29 gal was too thin. i need more of a layout for more corals. 29 is 30 x 12 as you know and the 40 is 36 x 18 although it is shorter but better for light penetration.