Agnate80700
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hey folks. Before my question, let me explain my situation:
I want to upgrade my lighting system.
Ive got a 20g long (and about double that in filtration volume) and I have a PC 130w lighting system on it (6.5wpg) and I want to do clams and sps. I have experimented and put a birds nest frag in and a small clam, and both seem... ok, but not really thriving. Add to that, I've never really been thrilled at the way PC light looks. I used to have a 150 gallon system with a 1030w MH system on it, and compared to how that looks, well... I think I was spoiled.
I found some great deals on ebay for some HQI light systems. There are two options: a 250w and a 380w system.
Questions:
1) Is 250 or 380w on a 20 gallon long too much light? (Thats 12.5 wpg or 19 wpg respectively) I think I'd be ok with the 250w but I'd like the added flourescent lamps for more even light distribution... but Im thinking 380w may be way too much.
2) Would a MH system with one lamp in the middle of the rig distribute light properly? Thats how they tend to come... just the one bulb in the middle. Wouldnt that trasnlate to a blast of light in the center of the tank and dark spots on the ends? Or am I mistaken?
I want to upgrade my lighting system.
Ive got a 20g long (and about double that in filtration volume) and I have a PC 130w lighting system on it (6.5wpg) and I want to do clams and sps. I have experimented and put a birds nest frag in and a small clam, and both seem... ok, but not really thriving. Add to that, I've never really been thrilled at the way PC light looks. I used to have a 150 gallon system with a 1030w MH system on it, and compared to how that looks, well... I think I was spoiled.
I found some great deals on ebay for some HQI light systems. There are two options: a 250w and a 380w system.
Questions:
1) Is 250 or 380w on a 20 gallon long too much light? (Thats 12.5 wpg or 19 wpg respectively) I think I'd be ok with the 250w but I'd like the added flourescent lamps for more even light distribution... but Im thinking 380w may be way too much.
2) Would a MH system with one lamp in the middle of the rig distribute light properly? Thats how they tend to come... just the one bulb in the middle. Wouldnt that trasnlate to a blast of light in the center of the tank and dark spots on the ends? Or am I mistaken?