Light for a 20g reef?

[sir_dudeguy]

Hey everyone, I've decided to start a 20g tank after being out of the hobby for a couple years, and I'm curious about what type of light to use. I used to be a huge fan of t5ho and loved my retro that I had on my 40. It was from reefgeek and I believe it was an ATI retro with icecap reflectors, but I can't seem to find a 4x24w on their site for a retro. Are they still available?

Otherwise, does someone here have a good fixture for a 20? I'd consider the right mh as well... Or led but I remember those being very pricey...

Thanks!

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Well the deal for the tank I was going to purchase this evening fell through, so I guess now i'm looking for a different tank! haha, anyone selling anything in the 20-50ish gallon range?

 

[Junktown]

I will be selling my 50ish gallon setup, it comes with led light ecoxotic panoramam retro, steel stand w/skins (skins are kinda ugly), 26 gallon sump, ASM g-2 skimmer, pump, plumbing, about 25 pounds live rock, 120 pounds sugar fine sand. Some livestock, like a couple RBTA's, three stripe damsel, blue sapphire damsel, mccosker wrasse, some cabbage leather corals, pulsing xenia, few random zoas, random snails/hermits. Was thinking of $350 for all, system is up and running now. Transferring some things to my 95 gallon.

 

[bugs713]

Welcome back!!

 

[zrogst]

Welcome back sir!!!!

What is your budget looking like for this build? I have seen some nice ADA tanks at Aquatouch that could blow the hat off your head. T5s are the "standard" in reefing, but a lot of first & second generation LEDs are picking up steam. Coloration and growth rates are still questionable on certain species, the complaints seem centered around some SPS I believe. I use LEDs anyway because they retain value well, look great, produce almost no heat, use almost no power, and don't requre bulb replacements. Works for me.

I don't know enough about current T5s to point you in a direction, but if you are looking for LEDs I'd recommend Maxspect Razor line as the best value for your $; no hidden costs: two mounting options & built in controller. It's full spectrum, fits every tank size, and comes in 1, 2, & 3 "pendant lengths"; Other popular options from lower to higher budget are Kessil a150w, AI Sol or Hydra (Sols very good pricing now), then Vegas/Radions etc. Nice thing about AI is the ease of setup & controllability.

From my understanding the biggest problem with a lot of those is they use relatively "old" LED technology for drivers, and few hit the 'best spectrum' for everyone's tank. If you want best of best either DIY or have someone knowledgeable DIY for you (I know someone if you like, prices are reasonable about the price of Vegas/Radions for full finished fixtures)

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Thanks for the input everyone!

So i found and purchased a 29g tank today. Not the easiest to find a light fixture for since its 30". But its a really nice looking tank that has a nice looking stand as well (and it was pretty much free), so now it looks like I need to find something out to fit that.

I've never really seen a 30" t5 fixture, so i'm leaning a little towards MH at the moment. If i did MH, should I do 1 250w? Or would a 150-175 be enough to grow pretty much anything in the tank?

 

[doublejhunter]

Take a look at the Reefbreeders value LED, a lot of people are getting good results for $179.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Those lights look pretty sweet actually. How much would it cost to DIY that?