need some lighting advice, 20H

[reefscape15]

Hey guys, I have a 20H cycling now for about 2 weeks. I was looking for some input on a lighting build. Right now, and until I build the canopy, I have an older Current Nova Extreme with 4 24" t5's.

I am planning on all SPS, and would like to be able to grow them all the way to the bottom of the rockwork.

I have 4 new ATI t5's, 10k Reef Blue 50/50, Blue Plus, 460nm actinic, and 420nm actinic. I have individual reflectors for them and an Ice Cap 660 ballast.

That's all I was planning on using for lighting but I got thinking that if I want to be able to keep anything from the top to the bottom of the tank, i might need a little more power. That said, I also have a SE 250watt XM 20K ran off a magnetic ballast. I can incorporate that light into the build as well if need be.

The issue I have is possibly heat buildup, and I don't want to have to spring for a chiller. The tank is in a basement bedroom and the 10g sump will be located behind the wall in a basement closet. The room stays somewhat cool in the summer, but with a 250watt MH pumping out the heat I wouldn't want to risk cooking the tank, not to mention making the bedroom unbearable.

I'm kind of torn because I love the MH look and growth results, but really don't want to deal with the heat issue if its avoidable. What do u all think? Any input is very much appreciated.

 

[B3ach]

I think t5's could do it if you got some really good bulbs. But if you run the halide, you could put your heater on a timer and let it run when your light isn't on. I don't think the halide will get it real hot if you hang it about 1' above the tank.

 

[reefscape15]

That's a good point. I wanted to do a lower profile canopy, but i guess I could suspend it above the tank higher. I guess I can just plan on adding the MH to the fixture and see how things work out. Worst case is that I don't run it.

 

[TimmyD16]

low profile canopy? not worrying about heat? sounds like LEDs would be something you should look into...

 

[reefscape15]

I already have all the parts for t5 and halide. I ordered them a couple years ago and just never set the tank up till now

 

[MBIETZ]

If i had your tank i would sell that 250w and get a 150w because it will grow what you want with less heat and power also without the high price tag of LEDs. I run a single 150w DE pendant over my 20g and i used it on my old 26g bow it was perfect. I have run both T5s and LEDs but i didnt like them as much as my halide. The LEDs worked great corals looked great but it wasnt as bright looking as i wanted. T5s also worked but i like the shimmer effect also i feel T5s dont look as crisp as LEDs or MH. Im not ragging on any of these lighting methods they all work this is just my 2 cents

 

[reefscape15]

I don't think I can run a 150 on a 250 ballast. I think I'm gonna see if I can fit the 250 in the canopy and maybe only run it for an hour or 2 per day

 

[reefscape15]

Oh, duh..........I just re-read ur post MBIETZ. Selling the 250 could be a possibility also.

 

[hk855]

I am about to set up the same size tank and like you have a bunch of leftover lights, icecap 4 bulb t-5 setup, 36led diy kit and 150w mh. I plan on using the mh because that's what has given me the best success in growing corals, in both color and growth. I would accent with t5s but I may or may not have the room in the hood with the mh reflector(and the light mover I plan on building, yea overkill for a 24" tank). I plan on accenting with 9-12 LEDs I have on hand to fill in the blank spots and add a bit of pop to the 14k phoenix mh bulb and give me another project to work on. So it's a bit of preference for you and what you want to achieve. 4 t5s will be more than enough light, as much bulb as you can pack on it and only 16" to the bottom you'll have too much light problems, just use good bulbs and replace every 4-6months. The mh will grow things better but probably not much and the temp swings with it could be detrimental. The difference is in how the tank looks and what you like, as well as what you like to use and are most comfortable using. Btw I'm not a big fan of leds, too pricey and your stuck with what you bought bc there are no bulb changes, on top of that I think they need a few more years of spectrum development. The electric savings is only about $20-50 a year on a nano and bulbs, so not much. I do think they are good for replacing actinic supplementation on mh lighting and give a good pop in dawn and dusk.

 

[MattFrancis]

I have a 20H with a kessil 150 over the center and I have acros and clams in the middle. it grows green star polyps on the edges of the kessil's reach amazingly. Get a kessil for the tall side and maybe a par38 on the left.

 

[reefscape15]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Ive setteled on running just the 4 24" t5's. I will try and leave a little extra room in the canopy just in case I ever want to add an led strip or something. Should be starting to fill the tank up in a couple more weeks

 

[TimmyD16]

Be sure to share the progress with us!!!!

 

[reefscape15]

Will do, I already have a thread started in the nano forum to document the tank as a whole. Thanks again!