Lighting fixture length?

[willy0508]

So, been searching and haven't found a true answer. I have a 29gal tank that's 30" wide, 118" deep. Looking for a new fixture to get started in some beginner corals, nothing hard to start but looking for a good fixture.

So it's hard to find a 30" fixture and the ones I do find mostly use the 31 watt bulbs which also seem hard to find as replacements in any good brands. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places. The 24" that did say it fit a 30" was from Odyssea and from reading doesn't sound very good.

So would most 24" with the legs extend to 30"? Am I stuck with an odd 30" or a 36" than would hang over the sides of the tank. Unfortunately I cannot hang a fixture from the ceiling at this time. (ceiling is 16" high in this room).

Thanks for any help in advance.
willy0508

 

[docstomper]

So, been searching and haven't found a true answer. I have a 29gal tank that's 30" wide, 118" deep. Looking for a new fixture to get started in some beginner corals, nothing hard to start but looking for a good fixture.

So it's hard to find a 30" fixture and the ones I do find mostly use the 31 watt bulbs which also seem hard to find as replacements in any good brands. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places. The 24" that did say it fit a 30" was from Odyssea and from reading doesn't sound very good.

So would most 24" with the legs extend to 30"? Am I stuck with an odd 30" or a 36" than would hang over the sides of the tank. Unfortunately I cannot hang a fixture from the ceiling at this time. (ceiling is 16" high in this room).

Thanks for any help in advance.
willy0508

DANG!! How do you fit in a room with a 16" ceiling!!

 

[willy0508]

Sorry typo! tired when posted it's 16'. :lolspin:

 

[willy0508]

Anyone know if a 24" fixture with legs will be able to extend for a 30" tank??

 

[aufo8mycat]

Anyone know if a 24" fixture with legs will be able to extend for a 30" tank??

I think a good one would be fine,
i currently have a 1500 long LED fixture over a 1800 long tank with no problem at all,
I also have twin t5 27" light over my Fuge and dsb which measures 30" and the light spread is fine, but for soft corals i would recommend a quad t5 so you can keep things like bta

 

[vp6799]

What about the coralife light? They have a 30" T5 fixture.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[willy0508]

I checked out the Coralife 30" on Dr. Fosters. It says it uses the 31 watt bulbs which I didn't see on the site anywhere. Seems any 30" uses those bulbs that are hard to find.

From Dr. Fosters:
Model Dimensions Watts 10,000K Actinic LED's
30" 30-1/4" x 9-1/4" x 3" high 124 2-31W 2-31W 2

I'd consider a 30" fixture if I could find a reliable site selling the bulbs.

 

[jinks]

I had this same problem. I cut two pieces of plastic square rod so that they rested on the inside lip of the tanks rim and put the light on that. Just make them snug so if you bump them they won't shift and fall in with your light

 

[willy0508]

Thanks jinks. Ive been thinking about that all day. I may try that if I don't find a 30" that uses the more 'popular' 24 watt bulbs. I have some leftover Plexi i could try to cut to fit.

 

[Lorenz725]

I got a current nova extreme 30" 2 bulbs T5HO. It takes 24 watt bulbs. I will have it up for sale soon but i live in ohio.

http://www.thereeftank.com/compare-lighting-fixtures/30-inch-nova-extreme-t5ho-x2-2x24-watt/

 

[willy0508]

Thanks Lorenz725, was looking for a 4 bulb fixture. Not sure how good 2 bulb would be for corals. Most people have recommended 4 bulb fixtures when I've asked.

 

[Lorenz725]

Well just so you know i got the 2 bulb on my 44 gal corner pentagon tank and i have all kinds of corals in there for over a year with no problems. For example, hammer, frog spawn, candy, Kenya, toruch, zoas, GSP, deep water lobo, open brain, and others. I am only getting 4 bulbs because how deep my tank is and i need more space to put corals. Just want to let you know good luck and happy reefing.

 

[willy0508]

np, mine is only 18" deep and probably could get away with the 2 bulb but i would like to get a nem later on down the road for my clowns. Just future proofing.

Always appreciate the advice and good to know that a two bulb could work if I ever start the other 30 I have.(trying to go bigger though when the house is finished being built)

 

[Lorenz725]

I understand and i have the corner tank that sucks trying to find lighting that will work for. I am 100% for future proofing i have bought way to many things and had to upgrade. If worst comes to worse you could always by 2 of the 2 bulb fixtures if you cant get find anything.

 

[willy0508]

Not a bad idea but I may try to figure a way to get a 24" to fit since 30" lights aren't very common.