Light Question!

[mandown123]

Hi guys. New to the board, been poking around a while.

I am starting up a 30 gl 36x12x16

what do you think of this fixture?
Planning to have some easy corals and possibly anemones

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-T5ho-t5-ho-3ft-4LAMP-Aquarium-lighting_W0QQitemZ110229585045QQihZ001QQcategoryZ4 6314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[JimD]

I think a light like that would be perfect if you dont plan on having the more light requiring corals...

[joelb]

5 watts per gallon but metal halide might heat up the water too much but 2 of those fixtures or 4 t-5s would be what you want. trust me, when you get addicted to this hobby your going to get that amount of light anyway so you might as well do it once and do it right. 5 watts per gallon and a good skimmer, don't skimp on those 2 things and you'll be good. good luck

[villjr]

the price on their MH pendant fixture looks pretty good. The whole fixture seems to modeled after the aqua medic pendant. Only real difference looks to be magnetic ballast instead of electronic and no on/off switch. Might have to get me one of those MH pendants.

[cavipower1]

those pendants do look good wat is the drawbacks to magnetic pendants to electronic ones?

[cavipower1]

how would one of those pendants light over a 20L? would the light be spread the whole thirty inches or close to it?

[caferacermike]

Magnetic ballasts can get hot to the touch and tend to not last as long as electronic. Over time (possibly years) they can begin to hum a bit. Mag ballasts are a good choice if on a budget.

[cavipower1]

lol i am on a budget lol i dont wanna spend too much since i might be moving back to san antonio since im about done with the classes i had to finish here, maybe in less than a year ill be back so im trying to save up as much money as i can right now