20G Lighting Question

valval1029

valval1029

AC Members
Aug 29, 2004
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I'm purchasing a 20 Gallon Flat back hex or rectangle for a reef tank. I would like clownfish, corals, invertebrates, maybe an anemone when things are stable...

It will have a canopy, so i'm looking at retrofit kits, right?
1) 24" Double lamp 2x65 watt
2) MH/PC 24" 5500K OR 6500 K OR 10,000 K
3) Aqualight Retrofit- 1 65 watt 10000K and 1 65 watt 03 blue lamp

Not sure which would be the best for me. Do they mount easily into the canopies?
 
I really like halides, but you will either need a fairly tall canopy or pendants to have the light high enough to keep heat from being a problem. If you retrofit them into a canopy, a fan or two would certainly be a good idea as well. A nice 175 watt halide would allow you to keep almost anything, and I have decided I like the look of metal halide a lot better. Plus, you get more light per watt.

On the other hand, PC will give you a lower profile and less heat. I kept a wide variety of soft corals and SPS under 130 watts of PC in my 20, so it will work. I don't know how the prices compare, but Aquarium Hobbyist has some nice, easy kits and lots of choices of lamps if you go for PC.
 
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