Light recommendation

[jd22]

Hello,

I am looking to get a light for my 30 gallon 36 x 16 x 12 tank. I know there are a million options out there. Here is a light I am considering and I was hoping ya'll could let me know what you think. I am planning to do a reef tank with mostly softies and lps' but I would like to have a clam in the future. I like the t-5's because I think they are the best option for me cause of heat/strength and I'd like to have LED's but for the right price, but I am open to suggestions. Oh yea I am trying to stay around 300 or preferably under

The light is 36 " Coralife Lunar Aqualight to-5 fixture 4 bulb plus LED's

 

[dawgface]

Thats a good light but anything outside expensive LED's or heat transferring metal Halides are going to give you problems with clams and certain SPS.

I have a 6 fixture T-5 on my tank and have limited luck with SPS... Don't even want to try a clam, almost certain I'll kill it.

 

[jd22]

Where do you find information about retrofitting? I am not to familiar with it. Does that mean you make your own fixture? Also, what about the light I posted would that be something I could keep sps and clams with since it is such a shallow tank?

Thanks a bunch,

 

[rskillz]

I'd do a Current Sunpod or something of the sort with MH. Or, if you have the cash, get AI Leds. MH should be fine as long as you add a strong fan breaking up the air between the light and the water surface.

 

[sts04c]

jd22;627504 wrote: Where do you find information about retrofitting? I am not to familiar with it. Does that mean you make your own fixture? Also, what about the light I posted would that be something I could keep sps and clams with since it is such a shallow tank?

Thanks a bunch,

Rapidled.com
reefledlights.com

 

[snowmansnow]

If you want T5 look into Aquactinics or ATI. I have an aquactinics 7 lamp fixture over a sps tank and stuff grows like mad.

 

[rjrgroup]

I'm a t5 guy but I just got a MH set-up so I'll be observing the difference soon. I'm really not looking forward to the open oven door effect from the MH to be honest..

 

[snowmansnow]

rjrgroup;627550 wrote: I'm a t5 guy but I just got a MH set-up so I'll be observing the difference soon. I'm really not looking forward to the open oven door effect from the MH to be honest..

I had mh for a few years before I went t5. I've got great growth now, so I suppose I'm happy

 

[sonofdagon]

You can get some good deals on used equipment here. I would wait awhile and see what shows up for sale here. Mh or t-5. Either is workable.

 

[snowmansnow]

ja4207;627437 wrote: Thats a good light but anything outside expensive LED's or heat transferring metal Halides are going to give you problems with clams and certain SPS.

I have a 6 fixture T-5 on my tank and have limited luck with SPS... Don't even want to try a clam, almost certain I'll kill it.

While I will defend to the death the right to make the above statement I must disagree with you.

A good T5 fixture can absolutely keep a clam. All t5s aren't =. At least in t5s I have found you generally get what you pay for. Get an ATI PM over that tank and you'll be able to keep anything you want.

...

That being said.. you probably won't be able to do it for under $300.00