wuick lighting question

[playa0069u]

for my buddy's 20 (30") what lights should we go with. t5 vho or pc. I was under the impression that pc's were the best out of them, but I was just informed that t5's are brighter. Which would be best and how much would they be around? I have the pc's at like 135$ from hellolights (Aqualight I think)

 

[alizarin]

T5's are allot better in many ways, especially when you get individual reflectors, but you can get PCs cheap and they'll get the job done. Also, I don't think anybody makes a 30" pre-made T5 hood so your friend would have to be interested in doing a DIY job.

 

[ryan115]

what is he wanting to have in the tank? Reef...FOWLR...Clams/sps...Anemone?

 

[playa0069u]

oh ya lol sorry. he wants softies I guess. nothing to hard as this is his first tank. what makes t5's so much better?

 

[2swift]

I don't Know I like HQI lol
Hi AL & Playa

 

[playa0069u]

too hot and too expensive for us at the time. u know al too?

 

[2swift]

Yes sir he took care of me when we first started in salt and needed cheato for nitrate export.
Have you seen his setup - Nice!

 

[playa0069u]

lol same here with the cheato lol he is the man. I like his nano too.

 

[2swift]

pis for Al lol

pis for Al lol

Al!

 

[playa0069u]

that is cool I really like the aquascaping. i will post pics of my 10 b4 I take it down it is amazing now lol. I love it.

 

[a2fire2i]

i have the coralife 30 inch, 2x65 Watt, light over my 20L and love it. i am able to keep sofies with no problem. I also have candy canes that have grown like crazy. I also am just trying my first sps as well. I placed a birds nest towards the top, and a monti around the middle of the tank. both are doing well..

 

[playa0069u]

cool I like it too I hear good things. i think that is what we are going to use. He is already talking about a 75 lol so well do t5's on that i think I'll talk to him about it later or tommarrow. thanks alot guys.

 

[2swift]

But the currents are so pretty and don't forget the SHIMMER. LOL

 

[playa0069u]

lol stop making me jelous. ACTUALLY i have some nice shimmer with my pc's on my half full tank with the high surface movement lol. BTW I MADE A TYPO IT IS A 30 GALLON 30" LONG SORRY.

 

[2swift]

lol

 

[ReefArtist]

playa0069u - Lots o information here
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=988440

The lighting forum on RC is great and you will learn that T5's is the way to go (and why) and they do not make 30" in any lights (24", 36", etc). Here's a thread where someone is doing a 29g tank (about 30" long). Great read - very informative.

 

[playa0069u]

thanks