Lighting for clams in a 29gal.

[luckylittleman]

I have a 29 gal. with 130 watt coral life light. I want to ungrade so I can have corals.

What do you suggest?

What would the cost be?

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

i would do a 150-250 14-20 halide

 

[chip721]

What type of corals? T5's are worth a look too. They're generally low wattage and low heat. But if you want to keep SPS you'd probably have to place them high. And bulbs are typically sold seperately.

 

[saltyESQ]

I keep a crocea in my 24g aqua pod with the 70w hqi. the clam is on the sandbed also

 

[duec22]

I keep a clam under T-5.

 

[luckylittleman]

I am really not sure what kind of clams, I like them all!

How much for these T-5?

 

[luckylittleman]

Never mind I click on chip721 link.

 

[duec22]

The T-5's can be kind of pricey, I went with 3 2x24W T-5 retros from Reefgeek.com at about $160 each.

 

[Velcroflyer]

I just got a 24" Maristar fixture w/ 1x150hqi and 2x24x T5 for $438 shipped from Premiumaquatics.com. It came with the actinic T5 and a 14k Pheonix hqi. I have it hanging over my 24g aquapod.

 

[gfk]

check out the T5 on reefgeek.com thats where im gonna get mine for my 29

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

why would you do t-5s when you can get mh cheeper???

I have 250 watts of mh over my 29 from hellolights only cost me about $110 thats for the reflector socket and ballest. The ballest will run SE or DE bulbs of any kind!!

 

[luckylittleman]

With your 250W of MH do you have to run a fan to keep it cool? Thats sounds like a deal I can aford!

 

[gfk]

People choose T5 over MH because of heat. My tank runs in the high 70s right now with no heater on, and i have no AC

 

[luckylittleman]

gfk which one do you use T5 or MH that you don't need AC.
I am guessing T5?

 

[duec22]

No AC with my T-5's....except when it get's above 100...then I don't take a chance with the tank.

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

I run a fan that kicks on only near the end of the light cycle on hot days.

I have ac and i keep it about 72-75 in the house. Also i have a closed canopy so if you did somthing more open it would be even better.

On average the tank never changes more then a degree or two for 78-79.

Here is the ballest http://www.hellolights.com/aroelba.html

you can pick a reflector of your choice. Also this thing is cake to wire its so easy a caveman could do it!!

Also with t5 you don't get the shimmer effect in the water wich i think is really nice.

 

[luckylittleman]

$99 Not bad to start out with. I don't have a canopy so I think I'll be ok we keep the AC at 73 durning summer.

Excellent Thanks I am going to look into it!