10 Gallon Reef System Lighting

[The10GallonReef]

I've had a ten gallon FOWLR system for over a year now. I intended to start a reef tank, but it wouldn't fit my budget. Now that I can afford the materials for a reef system, I'm stuck on the lighting. As far as lighting goes, I have narrowed my choices down to two systems. The Coralife Aqualight 20' 96 watt compact fluorescent or the Aquaticlife 20' 36 watt T5 HO. I want to grow LPS corals, mushrooms, polyps, and if possible some low lighting SPS corals. Which light should I chose?

 

[mike_cmu04]

The t5 without question it is much better than the compact florescent

 

[The10GallonReef]

I realized that the T5 was a better choice but is 36 watts enough to support all corals or just LPS corals. Would the compact fluorescents support SPS corals?

 

[zachfishman]

I realized that the T5 was a better choice but is 36 watts enough to support all corals or just LPS corals. Would the compact fluorescents support SPS corals?

The easier SPS for sure. Montipora capricornis and M. digitata, birdsnest, hydnophora, probably some others. I doubt any Acropora though, especially in a nano anyways.

 

[zachfishman]

For a 10 don't bother buying new. Go find a used 65w PC hood or retrofit on the cheap. I ran a 65w 50/50 PC over a standard 10 a few years back and grew plenty. You won't have too much room anyways; fill it up with softies and LPS.

 

[The10GallonReef]

Thanks a bunch. I will go with the 96 watt PC as my final choice.

 

[DreTheReefer]

Aquatraders makes a nice t5 its economical and I have seen a lot of people have luck with them

 

[halcyonism]

Why not just buy a PAR 38 LED bulb and never worry about having to purchase replacement bulbs? $89, any desk lamp and done.

 

[The10GallonReef]

If I was to go with the LED, how many watts would be sufficient for growing LPS corals, and maybe SPS?

 

[The10GallonReef]

There is 18-24 in. Marineland Double Bright LED Light - 6 x 1W white - 3 x .06W blue fixture that would fit on a ten gallon. I'm not an expert in LED lighting but would something like this be good for an LPS/maybe SPS reef tank?

 

[The10GallonReef]

Wait I found a "Reef Capable" version for my size that seems reasonable, except it is more expensive than the PC and T5 HO. I've never had an all LED system, so I'm a little skeptical on using them. Has anybody ever used this model? I don't think it is worth it, but still researching!
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=22443

 

[halcyonism]

Honestly, one of these; http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-141/(New)-7-LED-PAR38/Detail over your 10g should be more then enough. The nice thing about PAR bulbs is that if you do decide you need more light down the road, all you need to do is buy another bulb / lamp.

 

[The10GallonReef]

Ok, so I have done my research, and I have come to the conclusion that I'm just gonna stay away from LED's for now. I might change in the future but for now, I think the T5 HO are my primary choice. There is a 24 inch fixture, and a 20 inch fixture. I want to get the most lighting out of them, but them bulbs in the 24 inch are around 22 inches long. The problem is my tank is only 20 inches long. Would this overlap create issues with the lighting, or should I just go with the 20 inch fixture that gives me 36 watts of T5 HO, instead of the 48 watts I would be getting from the 24 inch fixture?

 

[The10GallonReef]

How would 36 watts of T5 HO compare with 96 watts of PC?

 

[zachfishman]

How would 36 watts of T5 HO compare with 96 watts of PC?

Hmm. I dont think T5HO are 267% more efficient than PCs. 96w of PC is likely more output than 36w of T5. Your bulb replacement cost will be higher though.

 

[The10GallonReef]

Ok, so will the 24 inch fixture with 22 inch bulbs be a problem because of the bulbs overlapping by an inch? My tank is approximately 20.3 inches long.

 

[The10GallonReef]

UGGH! I'm still debating between:
T5 HO Fixture-36 Watts(Or 48 watts, but overlaps only an inch. Would this affect the lighting?)
CP Fixture-96 Watts LED Fixture- 18 Watt White LED/3 Watt Blue TOTAL= 1305 Lumens for LED

I'm waiting on which to take. The T5 HO seems good, but will the 1 inch overlap affect the overall output of light? CP seems great, but Iv'e heard that CP isn't a good lighting for growing corals, just maintaining them. LED's are cool, but I'm not sure if the they are the best choice for the overall output of light.

 

[zachfishman]

The small overlap from the 24" T5 hood will not affect its output, you'll just be missing a very small portion of the overall light (and still get more light to the DT vs the 2x18w T5 hood). The only thing you'll have to contend with is blocking the excess so that light isn't bleeding all over the place.

The 2x24" is probably the best option, as it'll give you moreversatility down the road if you wanted to use it on anything other than a 10g.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

I purchased the odyssea 4 bulb T5HO light to put over my 10 gallon. I have been pleased. If money was no object, I would have tried the LED system. I was on a tight budget.

 

[The10GallonReef]

Wow, the odyssea is REALLY cheap for what is comes with. 72 watts total of T5 HO and 4 Bluemoon LED's! Is it really that good, or a crappy brand? Ive never owned these fixtures, but it seems REALLY reasonable for what it comes with.