will 2X24w T5 setup enough

[dwdenny]

Ok I am looking at all my options. Tank is a 29g 30"X12"X18 but will have a 3" sandbed. Ok well I will get to the point. Will 2X24w T5 be enough lighting for zoas, leathers, and rics. I was thinking of using an aquablue and an actinic for the bulbs.

My other option was coralvue 175w MH with 14k k bulb only as there won't be any room left in the canopy if I go with the MH. I talked to greg at 360reef and he can get the mh/T5 retro but a little more then what I want to spend right now (actually more them my wife wants me to spend right now). Suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

[GaryP]

You can have just about anything with the MH. You are looking at FO type lighting with the 2X24 watt set-up. That's not a lot of light. With the MH you could do some SPS but they would have to be placed high.

Just my opinion,

[dwdenny]

That is what I am looking for opinions to help make up my mind. Do you think that the MH will be to hot for a 29. It will be in a DIY canopy with the entire back open as well as one 3" fan sucking hot air out. I think that this will allow enough air movement to keep it from heating up to much.

One last question does anyone have experience with the 14k k bulb will it be enough on its own without actinic supplementation?

[GaryP]

That is what I am looking for opinions to help make up my mind. Do you think that the MH will be to hot for a 29. It will be in a DIY canopy with the entire back open as well as one 3" fan sucking hot air out. I think that this will allow enough air movement to keep it from heating up to much.

One last question does anyone have experience with the 14k k bulb will it be enough on its own without actinic supplementation?

You can always add more fans or go to a higher CFM fan. I don't think its a problem. I have seen a 175 used on a smaller tank than that with no fans at all. Of course that was with a suspended pendent and not in a hood. As for the 14K it should be OK. It just depends on what you are looking for in color.

I'm having some problems with my VHO actinics and I was amazed how good my tank looked without them and I'm running 10K MH's. Of course, the 10K I am using how a pretty broad spectrum and a good sized spike down in the actinic wavelength range.

[jaded]

Im not sure if just the T5's would be enough... it would probably be enough to keep the items you mentioned alive, but would it even give enough elumination to light the tank for viewing? I recently added lights to my tank and I can tell you from experience I have a whole new tank!!! The corals probably like it too ;)

if you cant swing the retro then maybe add 2 more T5's. You would have room in your custom canopy and with the reflectors you will be getting a pretty good setup for what your planning on having in the tank. Otherwise go MH/T5 retro

just my opinion

[dwdenny]

Does anyone know how much the T5 retros that greg at 360 are running I remember see them here some where for like $100 or so cannot remember. I will keep looking and email greg as well. Thanks for all your information so far. The only T5 that I have seen are the Tek lights and a I can get two 175w for those prices and they were retros.

[GaryP]

I've heard that a lot of folks aren't very happy with T5 actinics and are going back to VHOs. I haven't heard any complaints about the T5 while bulbs. I've never run T5s so I can't comment from personal experience. Apparently there is a big thread on it on RC. Maybe someone else can comment on it.

[GaryP]

Have you considered a MH/T5 or PC combination pendent?

[dwdenny]

I have it is like 280 for the MH/t5 or pc retro little more then my wife wants me to spend. Trying to find a way to make her happy and get my reef fix as I have been out for three long and agonizing years. I even though of just getting a nano cube DX but I want a bigger tank then 12g. My plan is to have 29g sump/fuge as well under this tank in the stand key word is plan. LOL. Just going slowly trying to find the right equipment for me and the corals that I want to keep.

[cpreefguy]

Go with a 20k MH pendant. I got one from Greg for a very reasonable price, and it is great quality too.
It has a nice blue tint w/o actinic supplementation , and, if you are worrying about heat issues, just point a small fan so it is blowing on the pendant and slightly on the waters surface and that will take care of the heat.

[alton]

Coral Life makes a 96 watt power quad retro that I use in my 29 gal Eclipse 3. The foot candles are comparable to 175w MH. As far as T5's got to Reef Central Tank of the Month, that question can be answered?

[dwdenny]

Yeah I look there often that is one heck of a tank and he is a Texas guy too. 8X54w T5's. The only thing that I have read is that people are having a hard time with the lower light corals with T5 having to move them into shaded areas of the tank but not sure how much of their problems are lighting of water quality they seem to never discuss the parameters when they say they have a lighting problem. LOL