Quick question

imo...not enough. I know that t5's are supposedly compairable to MH's when they've got a good reflector, but that just seems like too little of wattage to me. But maybe someone who knows for sure will pitch in, but if you can, i'd up that number, or just go w/MH.

But that is a rather cheap light tho...maybe you could add a second one if the first isnt enough???
 
yea it seems oddly cheap.

it is little wattage because they are regular NO t-5's i belive

so what if i went with 24" or 36" so i could upgrade to HO t-5's bulbs?
since I cant find 30" HO t-5's bulbs
 
oh, if they're just NO t5's then definately skip on that. those wont do anything.

imo, just go w/a 2x96 pc and you'll have plenty. You can get that for probably 130 or so??? maybe a hundred..idk. Or you could look locally (or on the selling forum) and see if anyones got one they could sell. i've had offers for 2x96 for 50 bucks.
 
Those bulbs arent HO and Ive heard they are throwaways because they have a built in ballast so you can't replace the bulb.

2 18 watt bulbs would'nt be enough light at all for a 29. Thats barely 1 watt per gallon. You wanna shoot for at least 5 wpg or more for higher light corals.

I have 6 HO T5's 54 watt on my 55 gal.
I don't have individual reflectors just one. They are overated IMO but will get flamed for that remark lol. Ive kept a crocea clam for about a yr in there so far with them and a few sps it's really not my thing.

If you want to keep everything like clams and high light sps you need a good amount of HO T5's or metal halide.
Pc's would be ok for alot of corals but not all.

kass
 
k thanx!
im not gonna get it in anymore... but i was wondering why you can't change the bulb?
i have built in ballasts on my 4x65w pc fixture..and i replace bulbs?
 
I always would say to go with MH because there is little worry that the lights are more than strong enough. I would suggest a 150watt for a 29 gal and 250 after that. And when you decide you want a bigger tank, you dont have to order a whole new light system, but just upgrade the existing one. And if you really want to do some sps, I would say that MH are almost a must if you want any serious growth.
 
the nova is great for keeping softies and you can keep some sps under it. Clams are probably out though. The biggest drawback to that light is that its a single reflector for all the bulbs. A T-5 setup with good bulbs and individual reflectors such as the TEK system rival MH as far as usable light spectrum and par output. The advantage of the T-5 is the minimal heat produced compared to a MH setup where most people need a chiller.
 
also depends on the depth f your tank. most manufacturers and reef enthusiasts reccomend that if your tank is over 24" deep (tall) then you need a 250w MH to really peneetrate the water and allow you to keep corals on the sandbed
 
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