Light for the frag tank....?

[350gt]

Been thinking of which fixture to get... The tank is a 20 gallon long and I currently have a unknown led fixture that will be used temporarily if it gets used at all.... The no separate cords for blues/whites is really bugging me....i know its not really needed for a frag tank but I don't want a bright white light on 12 hours a day......

I could add a couple of led strips to it and have that dusk to dawn feature ...but would rather have that all in one set up.......

I have been looking at some 4 lamp t5 setups, especially the aquatic life setup... I have a hid version on the DT and love the built in timers and one cord.... But the price of the unit is as much as some led fixtures.....

Maybe 1 AI sol? Would that be enough for the long tank?

I could go cheap and get a 2 lamp t5ho set up and add some led strips but would 2 t5s be enough?


Please add your input...... I will have or would like to have a little bit of everything eventually..... Zoas,lps, and some SPS....

[txg8gxp]

I think alot of it has to do with what you wanna keep in the tank of course. 1 AI SOL wouldn't cover a 30" long tank very well, even 24" is pushing it. I had two over a 36" tank and the light had to be about 10" or so over the water to get good coverage.

[350gt]

Another thing all the light escaping the tank is bothering me..... As much as I don't want to... Might get a canopy...


So u say one won't cover well... ******, scratch the AI then.... T5s look like the better option then....

[Cammed_02]

The 4 bulb t5 would be plenty im sure. i know you have your mind set on leds but you should try the t5s and see how they do for you.

[350gt]

Ya I might just go T5 with some led strips......

T5s are proven..... Although I have had growth with my 3 panorama strips, I would like to see what T5s will do.....

[Squiers007]

Why not just build your own LED fixture for the tank? That way you can get the exact color you want, plus the dusk/dawn effect and it would probably end up costing about the same as T5's without having to ever replace bulbs... just a thought.

[350gt]

Thought about that too..... Just dont have that kind is patience and with my luck will look horrid...lol