20 gallon lighting help needed please:)

[jmacc702]

I am looking for lighting options for my 20gallon nano. I was sold on the coralife 24" 4 bulb T5 set up (the one with the three seperate power cords) and my local fish store owner said he would take 50 bucks off of the price for me (taking it from $250 down to $200), as me and him have done business together for awhile. After looking online I see that this isn't much of a deal after all because the price had been jacked up to begin.. :debi:

So now I am torn if I should spend the money for this fixture or if there is a significantly better option I should be looking into for around 200-250 bucks. I saw the aquatic life fixture as well which caught my eye, and I am in love with LED's but don't know if I can afford an adequate set-up in that price range.
Thank you in advance for any and all input!!

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I'd check out the Tek fixtures, I have one I like it alot, I also have the coralife fixture you mentioned although I got mine on the cheap the Tek is better, the reflectors are much better. You should be able to find a Tek with the leg kit for around $250ish. Also you may want to check out Catalina fixtures about the same price as well.

 

[Jmoney619]

I prefer the tek and my favorite is ati. People sell them used for about $200-$250

 

[jmacc702]

I'm going back and forth between the AI Nano and the Aquatic life 4 bulb as of right now and don't know which route I want to take. Grrrrr..

 

[Soccernut5824]

Get 2 par38 bulbs and hang the about 8 in over water

 

[nyknicks4412]

2 boost par 30's should do the trick to...probably end up saving money too! great growth under these as well.

 

[jmacc702]

Just looked up a par38 custom set up on youtube, they look great. I dont have the slightest clue how to control their intensity or color etc. Sorry, I am very new to this

Also I ended up purchasing a 26 bowfront (26L x 15W x 21H) instead of the 20 as previously planned.

But yeah any input on the par38's would be awesome!!

 

[HaKs310]

Check out rapidled.com for LED ideas. They also have a forum in the vendor section.

The LEDs are easily controlled with an arduino type controller. Light intensity, color(if using multiple drivers), dusk/dawn, on/off times, even cloud coverage or a thunderstorm! You can piece one together for $40 or buy one for $60.
http://www.boostled.com/products/typhon-led-controller-kit

The DIY thread for that controller is in the DIY forum I believe.

 

[Soccernut5824]

Here are some different par38 u can control
http://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-Power-Par38-Aquarium-Corals/dp/B004KW1T2C


And some not controllable ones!

http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/captive_aquatics/2010/08/ecoxotic-par38-led-spotlight-review.html

http://www.rapidled.com/par-bulbs/