Hey guys, im planning on upgrading my 10 gallon reef to a 29 gallon (30"x12"x18") and I was wondering what you think would be the best lighting setup. I currently have softies and some LPS and that is most likely all I will have in the 29 as well. I have a used 48" coralife aqualight compact fluorescent (4x65w) fixture that a buddy gave me for free and I was considering disassembling the fixture and putting the lights into a canopy over top the 29 gallon. I could probably pull this off for close to no cost (with the exception of new bulbs). Another option would be to build a t5 canopy, which I would have to purchase all of the materials for. My questions are, which fixture would you guys suggest, and how much better are t5s that cfs? Is it worth the extra price I would have to pay? The way I see it, I can use the cfs and have 260w of cf light, or I could go with t5s, possibly fit 8 24" 24w bulbs in the canopy and have 192w of t5. Just wondering what you guys thought.
Lighting Options on a 29 gal
- Thread starter jdbdkid93
- Start date
zachfishman
Active member
With 4x24" T5HO you'd be able to grow whatever you wanted. My last system was a standard 29g with 2x65w PCs. I would've needed more light for most SPS, and the bulb combination options are severely limited. I'd go 4xT5 retro.
Drae
RAIDER NATION!
Absolutely. T5's are 5/8" diameter and they're great under reflectors. Pc's shape makes reflectors useless. The T5's will have a way higher par value because they run cooler and penetrate the water a lot better than pc's. 4x24 watt T5's will allow you to keep sps, clams, and other high light demanding animals.
Last edited:
kidzatheart
New member
On my 29g reef is going to be 144w(6x24w).
If you use individual reflectors the 96w of t5 will be a lot better than 260w of pc.
If you use individual reflectors the 96w of t5 will be a lot better than 260w of pc.
reelfreak
New member
I have 4x24w T5 over my 29 and have no problem growing SPS under them. I haven't used CF in about 10 years, and will never use them again after switching to T5.
In fact my new 125 build has T5s, and all of my livestock from the 29g is going in there very soon when I tear down the 29.
I run all KZ bulbs and have had great luck with them.
In fact my new 125 build has T5s, and all of my livestock from the 29g is going in there very soon when I tear down the 29.
I run all KZ bulbs and have had great luck with them.
zachfishman
Active member
Can you even fit 6 bulbs over a 29? I'd think 4 would be plenty, plus the electric and bulb replacement savings...
Similar threads
