Setting up a new tank need suggestions!

[Ryan17]

Hey guys, I am starting a new tank for fun and I am indecisive about the lighting. I want to keep mostly LPS with some SPS in the tank, That considering, I am looking for either T5's or LED's so if any one has any suggestion as in what fixture I should buy it would be appreciated. Also I am planning on running a protein skimmer which I am also indecisive about thanks

 

[Ryan17]

oops forgot to mention it is a 20l

 

[jokersplayground]

t5. but i just dont trust leds. im always seeing people saying there corals change colors, like acans they either turn all orange or they start to bleach

 

[Ryan17]

alright I was leaning to t5's because I have them over my 90 can you give me a specific brand or fixture, I know I need individual reflectors, but sometimes I cant tell if they have them or not. also how many bulbs, wattage etc.

 

[Ryan17]

this is what I am thinking http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticL...xtures-AquaticLife-AK01138-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

 

[jokersplayground]

go to reefgeek.com they have really good lights and all different bulbs you can play around with

 

[s_kelley]

Make sure you check the for sale threads on here first and save a few bucks
Out of your options I would go T5 too, LED's just aren't there yet for me, almost but not.
I am still a halide guy though

 

[Ryan17]

wait so should I get that fixture and get ati bulbs right away, I don't really get that website, sorry i feel stupid

 

[jokersplayground]

Make sure you check the for sale threads on here first and save a few bucks
Out of your options I would go T5 too, LED's just aren't there yet for me, almost but not.
I am still a halide guy though

+1 on the halides

 

[jokersplayground]

wait so should I get that fixture and get ati bulbs right away, I don't really get that website, sorry i feel stupid

what happens is you can just buy the fixture or you can buy the fixure and the bulbs it all up to your wallet

 

[MURedhawk]

I have an AquaticLife T5 4bulb over my 65 and love them. They are fully programmable and have night blue LEDs.

 

[Ryan17]

and a halide on a 20l wouldn't that be too much?

 

[jokersplayground]

and a halide on a 20l wouldn't that be too much?

yes that would be over kill. thats why you should stick to t5's

 

[Ryan17]

oh I always buy the ati bulbs for my 90, so I would obvs do this with the 20l too, but now the question is should I do t5's or a halide and if I do a halide it would be my first experience with one and Im nervous so I need a lot of help from you guys I heard on small tanks it can cause algae issues

 

[jokersplayground]

oh I always buy the ati bulbs for my 90, so I would obvs do this with the 20l too, but now the question is should I do t5's or a halide and if I do a halide it would be my first experience with one and Im nervous so I need a lot of help from you guys I heard on small tanks it can cause algae issues

dont go halide. you will burn your coral. stick to t5's.

 

[Ryan17]

alright is that aquatic life fixture I posted good enough for the sps too

 

[dz6t]

You can use 150 w halide o a 20L but you wont get edge to edge coverage.

 

[s_kelley]

Im not too familiar with T5's but is two bulbs enough coverage for a 20L? Someone else will have to chime in on this one.
I have seen some awesome growth and colors under T5's on the boards though

 

[Bobbofin]

I got a 2 bulb T5 on my Innovative Marine Nuvo 16. It's plenty bright. Dong (dz6t) gave me a Coralife 2 bulb fixture. I put ATI Coral+ and Blue+ bulbs in it. It's plenty bright and a nice 16k look. Pretty close to the same size as a 20 long, 24x12x12".

 

[Ryan17]

is it enough to have sps in the tank?