Lighting Question

[SVT519]

I have a 20 gallon high that currently has 40 watts of light from a Marine Glow actenic and some old eclipse daylight bulb in a flourecent fixture. The few soft corals I have seem to respond quite well to this and it gives the tank a nice glow but i am looking to upgrade. I have been considering a Current Satellight/Orbit single 65 or dual 65. I am not looking to grow any hard corals or things of that nature i just want enough light to bring out the best in my future soft coral and want to get the right lihgt the first time. Any suggestions or input on brands or wattage amount would be appreciated. Thanks - Andrew

[villjr]

I think the dual 65 is your best bet.

[eleyan]

Dual, one actenic and one 10,000K would give you the best lighting I think

[Ping]

Duel 65W. What looked best to my eye and grew corals very well on a 20L was, one duel daylight bulb and one duel actinic.

[hobogato]

if i were you, i would go with the quad 96 watt pc instead of a 65watt. i have one over a 29 gallon tank at school and all the softies in there love it.

[matt]

Personally I'd look for a small mh pendant to hang over the tank; I think there are some nice 75W mini pendants. The quality of light from mh bulbs is much more attractive than from any type of florescents IMO; you get glitter lines, etc. It looks like sunlight.

[hobogato]

after rethinking, you may be better off with a nice T5 fixture of four 24" bulbs. i agree with matt tho, a little MH pendant would be really nice.

[erikharrison]

after rethinking, you may be better off with a nice T5 fixture of four 24" bulbs. i agree with matt tho, a little MH pendant would be really nice.

How long are you looking to have your lights on for? I would imagine that a MH ran too long could have some nasty effects in a nano. I second the T5s

[edawgm]

Here is a site I found with some info on lighting.
http://www.saltwater.8m.com/lighting.htm

It has a lot of other usefull info as well.

[SVT519]

Thanks for all of the info, are there any specific brands to stay away from?

[LoneStar]

Thanks for all of the info, are there any specific brands to stay away from?

Anything from Ebay ;)

If your pretty handy, retro fit kits from major brands are cheap and easy to do. I'd vote for a small wattage metal halide, then T-5's.

[SVT519]

How about this 70 watt light for a 20 gallon tall ? http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/index.html?lang=en-us&target=d779.html and correct me if im wrong but will a 20000K bulb give it a bluer tint and not take away from the growth properties?