Whats Best Light For 20L?

[jovis]

So its time to upgrade lights, I've been running 3- 2x18w T5 NO strips for a while and they have served me well, I have been able to keep all sorts of SPS with little to no whiting out, but damn are they ugly!!! Plus I'm ready to reef topless ohmy.gif

OK I need some help making my decision, so I figure it would be best to leave it to the experts!!

So at this point Im over the fact that everything in this hobby is ridiculously expensive, so money isn't really a concern, i just want the best possible light.

Here are some ideas I had:
1. Current USA 24 inch Outer Orbit 1x250w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x24W T5 HO & 12 Lunar Lights, IS THIS TOO MUCH LIGHT FOR A 20L?, also this light is 15" wide, my 20l is only 13" wide, will the T5 light still make it in my tank?

2. Aqua Medic Ocean Light T5/Metal Halide Combo Series: there 24" fixture is only 13.75" wide, but there is only 2 T5's, Any comments on the quality of this fixture?

3. Cheapo ebay fixture, couldn't get link to work but you know what one im talking about,
But good enough right?

4. Other pendant, ex. PFO Lighting HQI Mini Pendants, Aqua Medic Ocean Light HQI pendant, Icecap pendant
what ballast is preferred, Icecap, Lumatek, PFO?

P.S. Is a 250W system too much? Am I going to have to buy a chiller? Even with it suspended?

Thanks for the help I'm a total newb to MH

Jovis

 

[jovis]

Bump, looking to get a light today, any input?

 

[ggk1988]

You can get the 250 but it will have to be rather high off the water. Probably will need some fans as well. I would look for a 150 or 175 personally. Hopefully some one else will chime in as well.

 

[emoore]

You could also look at 4 T5 HO. I had those on a 29 gallon (same foot print as a 20 long) and my SPS looked good.

 

[widmer]

I'm doing a 175 watt reefoptics 14k lamp over my 20 L, suspending it at least a foot off the water, with the intent to keep some SPS and a clam. Any more light I think is overkill and would look awkward. Even though a 250 will put out more lumens per watt used and is basically the same price as the 175, somehow I feel like there's really no effective difference in coral growth. Plus it'll look too bright and yea you will battle heat problems with the 250 watter.

I actually have an extra 175 watt ballast/socket for sale too for $60 you can PM me if you're interested. And if you do end up doing metal halide, the XM and reefoptics bulbs get my vote.

 

[jovis]

I got antsy this morning b/c no fish stores in Columbus have anything I wanted in stock (Phishy Business isn't open Mondays or Tuesdays), so i went ahead and ordered my light from marinedepot.

I ordered:
1x PFO HQI 250 Watt Metal Halide Mini Pendant
1x Lumatek 250W / 120V Digital Ballast
1x 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM
Also
2x Hydor Koralia 1 Circulation Pump
1x JBJ Ocean Pulse - DUO Wavemaker
it's time to retire the Powersweeps!!!

Any comments on the ballast? bulb?
I did think that it was stupid that you have to order a $15 adapter plug with a useless extra power cord just so you can wire up a quick disconnect socket. sad.gif o well

Jovis