30 Gallon Tank - Metal Halide or T5?

[zmazza]

I've got a few options.... I'm needing a good lighting solution that is upgradeable down the road... If I go with the 2 T5 lights, I can always put a metal halide fixture in the middle to supplement, or vice versa.

I'm needing something that will provide a good amount of light on my 30 gallon tank but allow my xenia, zoanthids and mushrooms to flourish.

What would be the best option if I had about $150 to $160 dollars to spend on it? I'm ready to purchase, but I'm not sure which route to go. I'm afraid with the metal halide that it will only light a certain spot and won't spread it around properly.

If it's a retrofit, the metal halide has to come with a glass lens. For some reason the UV-B and UV-C rays it puts out worry me. Especially since it's in the same room as my parrots and my newborn baby is going to be due any day now.

What do you guys think?

 

[SRT80]

what about the 24" current nova extreme 4x24 watts? I actually just ordered a 24" 4x24 watt finnex t-5 HO light. Should be here tomorrow or thurs. It was about $50 less. Its goin' over my 20 gal. Is yours a 30 long? the novas do come in 3ft.

Steve

 

[Kennetht]

i always had PCs over my old 20G Long reefs, and had good growth. My wife had three 96W PC's over her 65G and her zoanthids fluorished, until she had a nudibranch epidemic (not a good story). I currently have MH over my 135G and love the look and the growth. I'll check and see what I can find for you, how long is your tank? If you do a retro and go with SE Halides, you don't need a glass cover. You only need one on a DE (HQI) setup.

 

[zmazza]

It's a 30 gallon tank, 36" in length.

Thanks for all the help. I've got PC's over all my tanks now, but the corals just aren't doing good under them.

 

[Hurley12]

T5's wouldn't be bad since its a small tank and a MH could cause a problem with heat, but that said it can be done I had a 250 over a 29 with no heat problems. I know its a matter of opinion but my dad has T5's and I have 250 MH we have pretty much the same corals but I think mine have a little better color. Im adding 2 24 in. actinic t5's in hopes of getting the best of both worlds.

 

[RevHtree]

I would do a MH.

 

[Kennetht]

After thinking on this, I agree with RevHtree. I'd go for halides. I would start out with one 175W SE batwing reflector, with a 20K bulb, and magnetic ballast (for cost), an electronic ballast would be better, but more costly. I also noticed that Hellolights has a 2 lamp VHO DIY retor for $123.00 with bulbs if you get the actininc and 50/50 Actinic white URI bulbs.

 

[cee]

I'd go MH, and go with 2 bulbs on your tank. If you go SE you don't need to worry about UV-B and -C; the glass envelope shields it. You should be able to get a used DIY system for that price range and can by bulbs off of ebay or elsewhere to keep costs down. If you go with 250 W you'll have more bulb options and can easily expand down the road.

Dave

 

[zmazza]

I found a 175w Metal Halide w/ SE 10k bulb and 2 30w actintics from Hamilton. It's a ready to go fixture. I think I'm giong to get it this weekend. It's 150 dollars.

ct_vol and I we're talking and we both decided that it might be easy to take that one apart and retrofit it into a custom canopy with some other lighting options.

But, that would be down the road, I suppose.

I'm not sure if it's got an electronic ballast or a magnetic one... I'll have to check on that.

 

[acrodave]

meatal halide all the way its like comparing apples to oranges. halides can punch all the way to the bottom

 

[fishdoc11]

For that price it should be a Magnetic ballast. Are you going to use a canopy on the 29? What size tank will you likely be upgrading to?

Chris

 

[zmazza]

The metal halide was for the 30 gallon that I was working on. I've decided to pass up the deal for the moment. I ended up ordering replacement 50/50 bulbs for my 48" 130 watt coralife fixture. I figured the most I'm going to be keeping at the moment is zoanthids, xenia and mushrooms, and they don't need a lot of light. I figured this would give me more time to save up and get a nicer fixture, or even upgrade the tank.

 

[Runner]

Well, the offer of my twin-bulb 36" fixture for $20 still stands. Let me know if you want to add more light (if you have room for another strip light).

 

[ct_vol]

Scott~ Does it come with the hood and everything??? If so, I'll take it if Zach doesn't... I could use a new hood for my freshwater...

 

[zmazza]

Hood?

I've got room for another light and a little extra light wouldn't hurt. The new 50/50 65w pc bulbs I ordered look awesome. The tank looks really nice now. I'm hoping this macro will start growing like crazy.

PS ct_vol... I like the xenia so much in my 29 gallon, I'm going to need some more from you for my 30 gal.

 

[ct_vol]

LOL I think I've got ya covered on the xenia Zac... I've got some of that pom pom xenia now if you want me to bring it to the meeting... Did I send you a PM about my pumps??? LMK or just call me...

 

[Runner]

It is a standard 36" flourescent twin-bulb (2x40W) strip light from All-Glass Aquarium. I don't have the hood cover, but it is a complete, enclosed unit. I used to sit it directly on my glass cover plates of my 30G. The plastic housing is all black. I have four possible bulbs I can put in it (all of them used 2+ years and worn out): Coralife 10000K, Coralife actinic, and two URI Super Actinic (which I think is a 50/50 bulb). I got this puppy for ~$35 +$25 shipping on Ebay about 5 years ago. The bulbs still had some life in them, so that was a pretty good deal at the time.

I'll bring it with me to the meeting tomorrow. Whoever wants it can get it then.

 

[Runner]

Looks like nobody went home with it. I checked my garage and aparently I did away with my 36" long glass covers. So if somebody wants it or the single-bulb 36" fixture I have, let me know.