Lighting for my 20g

hummusx · 01-03-2005, 11:40 PM

I'm looking to upgrade my nearly-non-existent lighting on my 20g. I'm trying to decide between 130w of PC lighting or go for a 150w MH with 2x18w. Of course the MH would be better I understand, but the cost difference is pretty substantial. I guess what I'm really wondering is how much of a difference will it really make over this tank? 130w, even of PC, seems like a lot of light for a 20g tank. Obviously I'm not hardcore into anything light demanding since I've got just a basic strip light now. I would like to add an anenome for my clown, and be able to start keeping some different corals.

What do you think?

FastFish720 · 01-04-2005, 12:01 AM

Really depends on what kind of corals you want to keep.

djyox · 01-04-2005, 12:42 AM

search around on the net for your answer. Everyone has an opinion on this topic. Its best to do as much searching and reading as you can.

I asked that too when I started, but someone finaly talked me into MH and a deal passed my way I couldn't pass up on a MH setup.

But I think I still would have been totaly happy with VHO power.

Beng · 01-04-2005, 01:39 AM

For my next lighting, I'm gonna go with a set of 4x54 Tek T5. Now if I can only save enough for it.

Heard some good reviews. Initial cost is huge but it seems people are saving alot in terms of bulb life and electricity.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

If you want an Anemone, I would say do either MHs, VHOs, or T5s from the very start. I have a 24" 2x65 Coralife PC on a 29 gallon and my Anemone is just
barely surviving (12" from light). Wish I've bought better lights to start with.

Beng

hummusx · 01-04-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastFish720

Really depends on what kind of corals you want to keep.

Yes I understand that. But I don't know exactly what corals I want to keep, and it may be months before I research and determine every coral that I want. I need to remember to phrase my questions a little more carefully.

I realize that if I don't go for MH or maybe T5 I won't be able to keep *every* coral out there. But if 130w of PC would suffice for 95% of what's out there, then that's close enough for me. If 95% of the corals won't survive, then it's probably not smart to go that route. I do have a 125g with MH on it, so if there's some one particular coral that I really decide I want and it needs a lot of light, I can always put it in there. What I don't want is to have a 20g that I can only put mushrooms in because of the lighting.

djyox · 01-04-2005, 08:20 AM

I would guess that 95% would be fine....its a 20 w/ 130w!

mnreefgeek · 01-04-2005, 08:36 AM

hummusx - I had a 20H that saw several lighting changes before I was finally happy and ultamately upgraded. Here are the different combinations that i went through.

2x55wt PC
1 x 150wt MH + 2x55wt PC
1x150 + 1x175 MH + 2x55wt PC
1x175 + 1x250 MH + 2x55wt PC
2x250wt MH + 2x55 wt PC

Of those combinations, I prefered the last one. Some of this could have stemmed from the quest to have the most light packed in one hood that a certain big tank guy in the club started, no names mentioned Greg................

Seriously though, my theory has always been to go with the largest lighting set up I thought I could afford for the tank because I am always looking at the next tank. I was able to carry the 2x250 over to my 46 and will reuse these lights on my upcoming project. Heat is an issue that you will have to deal with running this many watts on a tank that size, I fought this with a sump and an ice probe chiller. I never saw the temp over 80 when this setup was running.

fugucuts · 01-04-2005, 09:20 AM

LPS and soft corals would do fine, but not SPS imo. Some would live but doubt they would thrive or retain their color. PC's aren't intense enough for some of the light demanding corals.

David Grigor · 01-04-2005, 11:38 AM

If this were my choice, It would be between VHO and 150HQI. I wouldn't do PCs. Every tank ( including my own over the years ) I have yet to see a PC only lighting that does better than VHO for Softies and LPS. IME: They expand better and have better color under VHO than PCs.

To some of you this is going to sound like a Broken record but here it goes......

Now for the hardware choice, Since sounds like your leaning towards flourescent lighting, although it might not look like the cheapest solution initially over the long haul it will pay dividends to get an Icecap 660 to run the flourescent lighting. It will run NO/PC/VHO/T5 lighting, in multiple configurations 2,3 or 4 bulb combinations in varying lengths from 24" to 72". This will give you lots of flexablity to change type of flourescent bulbs ( without having to repurchase the ballast ) and if you upgrade or do end up going with MH you can use to run actinc supplments. Over the many years to come, you should always be able to find a use for the ballast and quality of ballast is proven and should last a long time.

tico mike · 01-04-2005, 12:18 PM

I would love to buy a used Icecap 660. If anyone posts I'll be surprised to show you how handy they are. But seriously, if anyone has one for sale I'm always looking to buy 660's.

mnreefgeek · 01-05-2005, 08:41 AM

Here is a descent deal on a 250 set up.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=499284

There are a few 660s over there right now too, but they usually go fast, if you want one you'd better jump.