Lighting a 29g mini reef with PC and/or T5...

echoofformless

echoofformless

Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
Oct 1, 2005
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Phil Uh Del Feeya
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If you were going to use PC, T5 or a combination of the two to light such a tank, what would you use? I'm talking fixtures, wattages, bulb types, etc.
I was originally intent on 2x65w PC but the T5 thing has caught my interest lately. I'm leaning towards combining them.

I'm intending on soft corals and possibly LPS.

Any advice given is much appreciated.

Thanks.
 
I wish I had gone with T5 on my 55 instead of CF. I'd probably do something like 4x24w (30"), 2x daylight and 2x actinics, with individual reflectors. They're not cheap setups though. Marine Depot sells the retrofit kits, as well as the individual pieces.
 
I would go the 4-24w T5 setup, but if you are just keeping mostly softies and some LPS, then that may be too much for them at first. It is easy to bleach them under T5s, especially in such a shallow tank. The CF setup will probably be more your speed, but won't give you the options that T5s will give you. The T5 setup will allow you to keep sps and even clams without any issues, but come with a price tag.
 
Are you looking to build your own lighting fixture or are you wanting to simply purchase one already complete?
 
Most likely purchasing already complete. I was checking out the Nova Extreme fixtures actually.

So T5 really does give off that much more light than PC when it comes to wattage used? How would you compare say, 2x65w PC vs. the 4x24w T5?

And when it comes to the actinic, is it best to go with 50/50 or would I be doing better to have maybe three of the bulbs 10k and one bulb actinic?

Also, what about the normal output T5? I was thinking on perhaps running 2x24w HO along with 2x18w NO T5.
 
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I'd stay away from the NO T5s. The output difference is bigger than you may think. The same applies to power compacts. You will see a significant difference, both in terms of growth and actual intensity measurements. Although it would be preferable to get a fixture with individual reflectors, like the Tek fixtures, it won't be entirely necessary with your case. The only thing is that, later on, there is the good probability that you will want to branch out into other types of corals. The Tek fixture will allow you to do that whereas the Nova one won't. Do look at the 4x24w Tek T5 fixtures at reefgeek.com. They are $280 (about as much as you'd pay for the Nova Extreme Pro, except with better reflectors).
 
Thanks for the recommendation, but it seems as though the Tek fixtures don't come in a 30" option.

I'm wondering if maybe it wouldn't be too impractical to fit individual reflectors into this fixture:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...l0/currentusasundial30t5highoutput4x24w10k460

I'm really liking the idea of the integrated timers and the fact that it has only one power cord. That would actually save me some money and offer a little convenience.
 
True. I suppose it is a question of whether or not you want greater intensity (also that fixture would still give you plenty of coverage) or a fitted fixture that is less intense.
 
Ah, truly a tough question. Both have benefits and drawbacks.

If I were to say, purchase the 2x24w Nova fixture and run it with my 65w PC what would be able to grow in there?

I'm not looking at this as a final decision but just wondering what I would be able to keep if I went with this least expensive option for the time being. as I am such a sufferer from multiple tank syndrome, I am sure i will find a good use for any fixtures (such as the 65w pc) that I upgrade from in the future.
 
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