Aquarium Lighting? Help!!

I have just set up a 29 gallon tank and I am having a hard time deciding on lights? Help! My tank measures 30"x12"x18" and I currently have a dual T-5 HO fixture with 2-24"x24 watt(1-10K & 1-Actinic 420). I am interested in keeping soft corals and anemones with fish and believe I would need more light. Since my tank is so narrow I couldn't add another dual 24" T-5 or I probably would. From what I have researched I think I have narrowed my selection down to either a dual power compact(120 watts) or 4x24" T-5's(96 watts). In the power compact I was looking at the current-usa satellite pc 2x65watt fixture. In the T-5's I was looking at the Coralife lunar T-5 HO. I am confused because of all the lumen, par, kelvin talk and didn't know if these are equal or if the T-5's actually put off more light than the pc's. I also read that the watt per gallon ratio was not as accurate now since technology has advanced and that a watt is only a measure of energy not light output. I'm really confused and any simplification would be great!

 

T5's will be better. When 2in10 sees this, he'll convince you. ;D

 

Odyssea has a great 24" fixture that will fit. get ATI Bulbs in it and a timer and youll be good to go, i have this on my tank, and it love it.

 

Definitely get the T5HO, bulbs are better, reflectors are better, bulbs last longer and you have more selections to create a color of light that is pleasing to your eyes. PC lighting is most likely a dying breed due the the superior lighting of T5HO and LED. I would replace the stock bulbs in about 3 to 4 months. You should be able to keep any animal you like under that fixture.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

See...told ya. ;D

 

LOL, thanks for the confidence.

 

Thanks for your help! Do I need 4 T-5's or can I get away with 2?

 

You need one with 4 bulbs, 2 bulbs is not enough

 

I would go for four if you can. That way you can add a combination of bulbs and bring out more colors and higher light concentration. Or the people above can provide a better answer than I

 

Thanks! That looks perfect and the price is the best I've seen.