Lighting for 29 Gallon Reef Tank

BozoTheClownFish · 02-29-2008, 01:51 AM

What kind of lighting systems would work for a 29 gallon reef tank? Eventually I would like to start adding corals/frags/invertabrtes and want to figure out the lighting ahead of time.

Thanks!

glampka · 02-29-2008, 04:50 AM

Really all depends on what type of corals you plan on keeping. If softies you can get by with PC. Anything else, you're best to go with T-5 or MH.

onecansay · 03-04-2008, 09:09 PM

I used Hagen Power Glow T5 HO bulbs and ballasts. On my 29 gallon which was 30 inches long used 24 inch bulbs. Two were 18k and the other was actinic. I purchased the ready made fixtures and cooked about 80 lb of rock for one year. Coraline algae grew great. I moved to 50 gallon with custom hood using 36 inch bulb and retrofit ballast. Lots of light intensity. Cooler than MH and IMO will do everything you need now at a better operating cost.
Hope this helps.