Best lighting for 29 gallon reef tank.

[2g2ner]

I have a 29 gallon reef tank with a few corals in it. But they all died. My water quality was just about perfect except for a little nitrate and phosphate but nothing too high. I have a power compact light with 2 65w 10k and actinic bulbs and I don't think there cutting it. I'm thinking of upgrading to 175w metal halide with 2 65w actinic retrofit kit or 6 t5 bulb kit. Which would be better. They are both about the same price.

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.
BTW welcome to AA

 

[iDream]

If it were me I'd pick the T5s, but you don't need to get such a powerful fixture. 4-bulbs would do you just fine for a great mix of corals.

6 bulbs would be for a higher-light tank, and halides are energy-suckers and much more expensive to replace.

Plus, T5s give you more customization to tweak colors to just how you'd like it. What T5 fixture were you looking at btw?

 

[2g2ner]

Here is the link for the t5 fixture I'm looking at. Ice Cap Reef Illuminations T5 HO LED Aquarium Lighting System | T5 Lighting | Lighting Systems | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com It's a Ice Cap Reef Illuminations T5 HO LED Aquarium Lighting System. and here is the link for the metal hailde retrofit kit. Buy 2’ Retrofit Kit with 1- 175 watt MH & 2-65 watt PC Bulbs Online | Vivid Aquariums

 

[2g2ner]

Metal hailde retro fit kit. Buy 2’ Retrofit Kit with 1- 175 watt MH & 2-65 watt PC Bulbs Online | Vivid Aquariums. T5 fixture. Buy 2’ Retrofit Kit with 1- 175 watt MH & 2-65 watt PC Bulbs Online | Vivid Aquariums

 

[iDream]

What length is this tank? Because you have both a 48" fixture and a 24".

 

[2g2ner]

I'm not at home so I'm not 100% sure. But it's a 29 gallon high tank.

 

[2g2ner]

But I would be getting the 24"

 

[iDream]

Looking at a general size chart for common tanks it's looking like a 29 Tall is 30" in length, so you'd be looking at a 30" fixture

Here's a good one at a much lower price than you've been looking at

30in 4Bulbs fixtures

 

[2g2ner]

That's a really nice fixture and for a great price! The only thing is I would be going from 130 watts to 96 watts if I got that and I don't think I have enough light now.

 

[iDream]

T5HOs are much more powerful and more efficient than power compacts, you'd be able to support plenty of corals with that light.