Lighting a 20 gallon long

fattytwobyfour · 06/09/2019, 09:23 AM

Hey,

So this has been a terrible reef week for me. I came home to my 93 gallon reef leaking. I was not able to save the tank, but saved all of the fish and corals. So basically I've been forced to use a 29 gallon cube and a 20 gallon long right now. I was able to use a radion I had on my 30 cube, but the only light I had available for the 20 is a maxspect nano. This tank is 30" long, so the light cannot cover the whole tank. I am needing a new light and have been trying to find a decent t5 setup for it. I am housing mostly soft corals, zoas, and a huge bubble tip anemone in this tank. I can't justify spending $500 on the ati fixture. Is there any options available that will let me run 24" ati bulbs, while hanging over a 30" tank? I looked at some grow lights on amazon, bjt they don't have splash guards, and I don't want to burn down my house. I have tried researching extensively, but keep running into a brick wall.

mcgyvr · 06/10/2019, 10:13 AM

Sure.. There are numerous 2ft T5 4 bulb fixtures on Amazon,etc...
Like this..
$85 shipped
https://www.amazon.com/HydroplanetTM.../dp/B019J3UPTY
$70
https://www.amazon.com/CDMALL-Fluore.../dp/B07R1JDQP2

You most certainly do not need T5 (or LED for that matter) to extend the full length of the tank.
I run a 2ft T5 on a 4ft tank without issues.

fattytwobyfour · 06/10/2019, 11:43 PM

I actually ordered a Hydrofarm t5 fixture from Amazon, and it came in today. I haven't opened it, but am sending it back. I just couldn't get over it not having a splash guard, and afraid I would shatter some bulbs or they would catch fire. I almost broke down today and ordered the ATI fixture, but at $420, I thought it should at least be dimmable, and talked myself out of it.

Maybe running leds have spoiled me. I have never ran t5s, and honestly just wanted to give them a try. I have tried searching forums, Google, and Youtube. I am having no luck. I have been in this hobby for over 6 years now, and I know not to take shortcuts. So I want to do it right. I am going from the 93 gallon to this 20 gallon and a 30 gallon. What scares me is that I will want to go big again, and the fixture I buy won't be used. So that is where I am at right now.

06/09/2019, 09:23 AM	#1
fattytwobyfour Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 16	Lighting a 20 gallon long Hey, So this has been a terrible reef week for me. I came home to my 93 gallon reef leaking. I was not able to save the tank, but saved all of the fish and corals. So basically I've been forced to use a 29 gallon cube and a 20 gallon long right now. I was able to use a radion I had on my 30 cube, but the only light I had available for the 20 is a maxspect nano. This tank is 30" long, so the light cannot cover the whole tank. I am needing a new light and have been trying to find a decent t5 setup for it. I am housing mostly soft corals, zoas, and a huge bubble tip anemone in this tank. I can't justify spending $500 on the ati fixture. Is there any options available that will let me run 24" ati bulbs, while hanging over a 30" tank? I looked at some grow lights on amazon, bjt they don't have splash guards, and I don't want to burn down my house. I have tried researching extensively, but keep running into a brick wall.

06/10/2019, 10:13 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Sure.. There are numerous 2ft T5 4 bulb fixtures on Amazon,etc... Like this.. $85 shipped https://www.amazon.com/HydroplanetTM.../dp/B019J3UPTY $70 https://www.amazon.com/CDMALL-Fluore.../dp/B07R1JDQP2 You most certainly do not need T5 (or LED for that matter) to extend the full length of the tank. I run a 2ft T5 on a 4ft tank without issues. __________________ Who me?

06/10/2019, 11:43 PM	#3
fattytwobyfour Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 16	I actually ordered a Hydrofarm t5 fixture from Amazon, and it came in today. I haven't opened it, but am sending it back. I just couldn't get over it not having a splash guard, and afraid I would shatter some bulbs or they would catch fire. I almost broke down today and ordered the ATI fixture, but at $420, I thought it should at least be dimmable, and talked myself out of it. Maybe running leds have spoiled me. I have never ran t5s, and honestly just wanted to give them a try. I have tried searching forums, Google, and Youtube. I am having no luck. I have been in this hobby for over 6 years now, and I know not to take shortcuts. So I want to do it right. I am going from the 93 gallon to this 20 gallon and a 30 gallon. What scares me is that I will want to go big again, and the fixture I buy won't be used. So that is where I am at right now.