New 29g reef tank. I'm lost.

Another question:

Since the lighting options are slimmer for 30", with a lot of 24" and 36" options, would a 36" fit my tank? and if I find a deal on one (I see one of the nice Nova Extreme 4 bulb setups with a timer on craigslist), could I use that and not waste light?

Something like this photo and put some mirrors to reflect the over-hang into the tank and send the light at angles it wouldn't get to from directly overhead.:

 

Nice idea, could work

 

I'm facing the same dilema right now with the same sized tank.
Here's the thread http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/lighting-30-inch-tank-113497.html

I'm still up in the air about this build. I'm on the fence for the LED, but the fact of having all kinds of modded equipment above the tank in my office, I'm leaning away from that and considering the T5 since it's a low profile fixture.

Problem with our 30" long tanks, most bulb choices are 24 or 36". I did find coralife makes a 30", and if I go t5, I'm going with that since it will light the entire tank. It's priced nicely too. You should look into it.

HO T5 Aquarium Light Fixture: Coralife Lunar Aqualight HO T5 Aquarium Light Fixture

 

+1 I have the same fixture but bought it from aquatraders. the 4X24W unit, I put ati Bulbs in there and it works great and covers my 30" long tank no problem

 

EDIT: i guess i should have read through all the responses and i would have seen that someone has already suggested this


i have the 36" version of these, i did not get them from aqua traders though i ordred on ebay, to many negative responses for that company but the overall product works and its pretty bright. Odyssea T5 Aquarium Lighting im sure youll have to change the bulbs out eventually but for the price it fits your budget

 

James that 24" light would work fine for your 30" it should light up the entire tank I'll have to look when I am awake more but I think it was Xmetal that has a 36" tek 6 bulb on his 75 gallon which if you don't know it 48", that's 4 inches a side instead of 3

 

Never said they were all bad, though it seems that if you have problems it is likely to be severe, I see that people like them a lot too, just seems either its great, or nothing but problems. But I don't have one and you made some good pounds (other than all the cords). Ultimately its up to him though.

 

The cords are why this is a plus over other fixtures. It allows you to use timers for dusk/dawn lighting, which is not possible with a single corded fixture.

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have you considered a DIY led build... there is a lot of threads on here that can get you in the right direction, and if you are crafty you can save A LOT of money...

 

For the long run, and best bang for the buck, this is the ONLY way to go IMO.

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