Very confused about lighting

Hi all,

I've been reading the many different posts on lighting and getting more and more confused. To make things easy I'm just going to tell you what I have and we'll go from there. Well...I am going to have a 29g reef tank (breaking down my current 75g sometime here in the near future). The only corals I have in my tank so far are are very large group of mushroom corals, 1 large GSP colony and 1 small GSP colony. The light that I have to put on it is one of the CoralLife lights with the CoralLife 65w 50/50. What do you think?
I have also been looking at getting a T5. Most lights I find are either 24 or 36 inches with a rare 30 inch one. I don't obviously want to get a 36" because it will hang off the side of the tank but if I get a 24" light is it alright for me to set it directly on my glass top? Any light suggestions would be great too...right now I'm looking at the Nova Extreme SLR 4 light version 4x24w.



Thanks!

(sorry this was so long :-[)

 

A pendant MH light would work well for this.

 

a 24 will work fine---I run 8-t-5's 48" on my 72" and all my corals do fine. There are not dark spots on the ends. I will post a pic if you like.

 

So if I go with the 24" is it alright to set it directly on my glass top? I obviously won't be able to use the mounting brackets...

Thanks!

(Robman I'd love to see a pic of your tank!!)

 

Current USA has a SunDial in the 30" flavor. This fixture is a 4x24 T5HO with built in timers and LED moonlamps.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~Current_USA_SunDial_T5_HO_w__Timers___LED_Fixture_24_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures~vendor~Current_USA~idProduct~CU01150~idCategory~FILTFIT54U.html

 

I've seen that one but both the light I'm looking at and the Sundial put out 96w (which I know we're not supposed to based it soley on watts) and it's $100+ cheaper.

 

Nothing wrong with the Nova Extreme. IMO however it is worth the extra $80 for the better reflectors, built-in timers, and direct mounting to your tank.

If $$ is a major issue, get the Nova, if not get the SunDial. I think you will be satisfied either way with the T5s, I know I like mine!

PS I have the 2X24W Nova Extreme 30" on my 29 gallon. The only reason I didn't buy the SunDial myself is I am building a custom canopy with T5 and metal halide.

 

off subject a bit, but i would ditch the glass top, as these impedes gas exchange and will help the temp rise.

 

I was going to use the glass top for 2 reasons. 1) Helps to keep the cat out ;D and 2) all the manuals I have read about the T5 lighting (from the lights themselves) have said not to place over open tanks.

 

You can place T5 over open water IF you have a retro with water proof endcaps, you have an acrylic splash shield on the fixture or you don't mind having SLRs with stains and salt damage. IF you clean the SLRs often you will most likely not get the staining but if you are like me and too busy to clean them then they will stain and you will lose output that way.
I have heard that you can use a higher end car wax and wax the reflectors before you fire them up and that will help against staining.

I would go with the 4x24w honestly if you aren't afraid to hang something than go with the Tek.
Good luck