View Full Version : 20g High Reef Lighting Question
lassa8
09-27-2009, 9:35 PM
I'm setting up a 20g high aquarium for mushrooms/zoas/ricordeas. I don't want a metal halide lamp. Would I be better off with 2x65w power compact or 2x24w T5? I assume 4x24w T5 would be better than either of those, but I'm not 100% sure it's going to fit into my budget.
Ace25
09-27-2009, 11:09 PM
2x 24w T5HO is much better than 2x 65w power compacts. More light from the T5s and less electricity used, win-win all around with T5s.
2x 65w PCs = 130w
2x 24w T5s = 48w but actually puts out as much light as 160w of PCs.
TropicalNorth
09-28-2009, 1:42 AM
I have 2 x 24w T5's on my 20g and I have a pocillopora (sps hard coral) and it is very happy and growing steadily. You'll be able to keep the corals you've mentioned under 2 24w tubes.
Get a light with individual reflectors, it increases the light going into the tank by a lot. I have individual reflectors on my light and I think I can keep hard corals because of them.
I would go with the T5s as well. I think you'll be far more satisfied in the end considering the corals you're looking to have in the tank. I would definitely stress getting individual reflectors -- why pay for light bulbs and only end up with 1/2 - 2/3 of their light output reaching your corals? Yes, the gain in light can be that large just by using good reflectors. For most rics and zoas, I think 4 x 24w would actually be more light than you'd really want.