Best lighting for 29 gallon?

[kikimers13]

I'm torn looking for a light system for my new 29 gallon. It's been cycling for a week now with just an old clamp lamp and 50/50 compact over it, which was always going to be the temporary fix. I've been looking into t5 but I've also read that it's more of a "fad" going on in reefer circles now than something necessary. Money isn't an issue for me but I also don't really want to toss out hundreds of dollars on just the light as I want to be able to splurge on other things for it too.

What I've already looked into is:

Glo T5 HO Double Fixture http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19759&pvid=76905&productnum=0035608

With this LED added on just for looks:
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21598&pvid=83591&productnum=0072152

The bulbs I would want to do are:

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19762&pvid=76920&productnum=0035614


http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19761&pvid=76917&productnum=0035617

Any other suggestions are totally welcome, I could be totally wrong with what I've chosen but I've only been doing this for 2 years with a 10 gallon nano so cut me some noob slack! :lolspin:

 

[firebirdude]

I've been looking into t5 but I've also read that it's more of a "fad" going on in reefer circles now than something necessary.

:lolspin:

It depends on what type of corals you plan on keeping.

 

[gweston]

I have a single 175w halide over my 29gallon. An old cheapo pendant and an old magnetic PFO ballast. Keeping a mix of LPS/softies, a pink birdsnest and a few bubbletip anemones happy.

I had 2xT5HO's over it before. It was just adequate for softy lower light corals. Inadequate for anything that likes more intense light.

 

[kikimers13]

I'm looking into keeping what I have right now which is zoas, a mushroom, gsp, and eventually I want to do a bta for my clowns to host. I know btas need high light, I just haven't kept one before so I don't know how high. Sorry for not including that in the first post.

 

[firebirdude]

A nem does require higher lighting, but nothing crazy. A sunpod halide or a 4-bulb T5 would be awesome.

The Current USA sunpod was recently discontinued I believe. No reason. Just been out a long time. Don't know if there's a new model out or what. But regardless, if you can find a 150W-higher one, it's a great item.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+18700&pcatid=18700

 

[MrIcky]

A 4bulb t5 would work well from what you describe.

 

[kikimers13]

Thanks, I think I'm going to go with the Nova Extreme Pro. Overall it seems to have the best of what I want, with the fans and dusk/dawn ability. One thing I had a question on though is that I'll probably go with the 36", but my tank is 30" do I just lay it on the glass hood like some setups are or do I need to do some readjusting to the mounting system? I looked and they don't seem to have a 30" version of the extreme pro, just of the extreme which only has 2 t5 bulbs.

 

[firebirdude]

hmmm... 6" is quite a bit difference. I think it would look funky hanging 3" off on each side, provided you COULD mount it somehow.

 

[AC2020x]

I'm also interested in this... I'm looking to start a 29g reef reef and form my expereince good lights for 30" are hard to come by. I'm thinking of going with a 175w MH with a hanging kit but I guess that depends on what I can find. I've heard that the 30" sunpod works really well but its been discontinued and I believe its difficult to find.

 

[kikimers13]

I think it will look funky too. However I'm willing to try it. I also saw a youtube video on my vast searches today where someone installed their own hanging kit into the extreme pro to avoid it looking weird. I don't know if I would trust my own handy work to do that though because I worry about the plastic cracking.

 

[kikimers13]

I found the hanging kit for the nova extreme pro. If I hang it it won't look as awkward with 3" on each side, I haven't decided if I'm doing the stand mounted or ceiling mounted yet.

 

[kikimers13]

So I found this as an option also, http://www.hydroponics.net/i/134679 I realize the lights are not all appropriate so I would replace half with acintics and maybe even the other 4 with reef specifics like ocean sun. Would this be overkill, should I just go with the 4 light version? I know it's a little short for the tank but I think with hanging from the ceiling this would provide enough light overall, but also give some less light areas for corals and such that aren't high light. Any input is appreciated.

 

[kikimers13]

bump

 

[rivensteve13]

that is the exact light i used on my 29 gallon mixed reef for a year or so until i took it down. I just used the legs it came with and blacked out the three inches on each side with electrical tape. I could grow sps with no problem.

 

[sphistak]

KiKi,

Why don't you just go with two 24" double T5's... That would be a total of four bulbs and the fixtures fit perfectly

 

[TreyK]

This is what I had over my 29 before I upgraded. Awesome light.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/24_inch__4x24W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

If you wanted to save a couple buck this is a great unit as well.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/SunPower_Fixtures/24_inch__4x24W_SunPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

With a 4 bulb setup, I would do 2 ATI Blue + and 2 ATI Aquablue Special.. alternating of course.