Lighting on a 20L Tank

helitaiwan963

helitaiwan963

New member
Hey guys,

ok so... after going through so many changes of plans, etc on deciding for a tank for my apartment in school in Iowa. I finally decided. Went from doing a 2.5gal pico to buying a NC12DX over thanksgiving... Well turns out my dad liked the NC so we kept it at my house in chicago and started it up in our dining room so we have something to look at when we eat. lol.

Anyway, finally got back to Iowa and pulled the trigger on a 20 gallon Long tank. I saw Fishbeard's 20L frag tank and it wasn't nearly as big as i thought it would be so I decided on getting it.

So far i have:

-CPR backpack protein skimmer
-20L Tank

And the next thing i want to buy is a light. I got a beautiful canopy with the tank and have not decided if i want to use it or not, or just run it open top.

I can't decide on what kind of lighting to use. I know fishbeards tank had a MH pendant but I would really like to stay away from MH cuz my room isn't huge, and I don't want a lot of light bleed.

So after all that, my question is... would a 96watt(4x24watt) 24" T5HO fixture be sufficent for this tank? Because it would fit inside my canopy, and i love the T5's for coloring. I know it would be able to support softies and whatnot, but what about SPS?

PS: i know this is kinda not on the topic of lighting pertaining to this thread... but would you guys run any other kind of mechanical filtration on a 20L? Like a HOB filter or something? I've also been looking into a HOB fuge.


Thanks
Eric
 
I run a bio wheel 100 on my 20l frag tank just because I have it, helps keep the tank clean when I scrape the glass an provides surface agitation.

The T5 would be plenty for your 20L for what you currently are keeping in there. I don't believe you would have too much trouble with easier sps under the light with good bulbs like ATI etc... However with such a small water volume you will have to be religious with salinity control thru constant top off and regular water changes or some sort of dosing regiment to keep your parameters in check if you want to not only keep sps alive but thriving in the tank.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you!
 
PS: i know how much light SPS needs... but since a 20L tank is only 12" tall... i was wondering if that would affect anything and allow me to keep some sps.


EDIT:
Hmm ok... i may throw on some kind of HOB filter with the CPR protein skimmer. also, i was only planning on simple sps like the pollicpora and birdsnest. it will be more or less softies and LPS. can't wait to start this thing... And hopefully i'll be able to get my living arrangements settled soon for next year. if i can manage to get the same apartment again then i wouldn't have to break it down in may and start over again in august...
 
20l

My 20long has been only running for a month. Have the 30" AquaticLife 4X24 t-5 on it, AC70 HOB mod wit rubble, and the mp10. 20lbs of LR and sand. No skimmer. Love the light and plan on doing 10%wc weekly.
 
I have 20g long with skimmer, two powerfilters and 1 led light 120w equal with 250w MH
55x3w led..30 white and 25 blue.. really nice I like it. my corals POP... dual power cords 1 for blue and 1 for white..plus 3 fans on top
no heat
 
hmm... i may do the 4x24watt t5 then... i'm not looking to do led's cuz they're gonna be much too expensive...

looks like i'll need to be getting a larger powerfilter. then i still need to build my stand... haha... trying to decide if i want to drill the tank and do a 10gal sump now... i have all the diamond bits already... but i wanted to keep this tank simple.
 
A sump is no more complicated, adds water volume, and keeps your display tank "topped off" as water level drops in the sump. I'd say go for it if you're thinking about it! Plus you can run your equipment in the sump tank to keep the display clean for lookin at!
 
FishBeard said:
A sump is no more complicated, adds water volume, and keeps your display tank "topped off" as water level drops in the sump. I'd say go for it if you're thinking about it! Plus you can run your equipment in the sump tank to keep the display clean for lookin at!
Click to expand...

yea... complicated as in so much more to do... if i do opt for the sump route. i'll likely just collect all the parts and drill the tank and wait till the fall semester next year to start up the tank... gotta look up some good overflow kits. don't wanna mess with hob overflows.
 
the 4x24w is $109 from fishneedit.com. they have 30'' fixture t5 nice one...but you have to replace bulbs every year..
just adding $60 more you can get the led 120w from ebay and will last for 5 years no bulb to replace
just an ideal.
good luck
 
wow... thats an awesome deal! i think i'll be going with the 30" 4 bulb fixture from fishneed it then... are their fixtures ok? i know you use the MH one for your 20L fishbeard, how has it held up over time?

Also, it's only a 10 dollar difference, but being a college student, any cash saved would help elsewhere in the tank... would the 4x24watt kit in 24" make a difference versus the 30" 4x24 watt kit? could i go ahead and save my money and just get the 24" fixture?

can you show me what kit you're talking about from ebay? i've been looking at ebay LED's but never really seen anyone use them and how long they last... i don't want to spend 160 on a ebay kit and then have it burn out in one year...
 
check general reefs talk I have my tank and light photo in there..I know its kinda new but it growing now.. I like the light very much..under more pic..youngreef
 
wow... looks awesome... can you give me a link to the ebay page? how long have you had it and how has your coral growth been? Do you keep any SPS?

if it's any good, it may be worth selling one of my guitars to purchase one... anyone interested in a Black Gibson acoustic? :)
 
hhaha..I have it for a month, anytime the light on my coral POPPPP!!!
I love it..Leds usually last for a long time ...no heat..
nice hanging on...I spent $8 for the diy hanger kit from homedepot.
I can take more pic of the hanger kit
I have some sps in the tank.. they are doing fine..
but corals grow slower under Led then MH.
 
youngreef said:
hhaha..I have it for a month, anytime the light on my coral POPPPP!!!
I love it..Leds usually last for a long time ...no heat..
nice hanging on...I spent $8 for the diy hanger kit from homedepot.
I can take more pic of the hanger kit
I have some sps in the tank.. they are doing fine..
but corals grow slower under Led then MH.
Click to expand...
hmm... thats interesting... hanging the kit isn't gonna be an issue becuase i'll have the light under my canopy...have you had the chance to use a PAR meter on the unit? if this unit is decent and produces decent par and spread... i may switch the MH on my 75 to these...

youngreef said:
you go to ebay type in aquarium led light or 120w coral grow led light
Click to expand...
is this the one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Co...ultDomain_0&hash=item2565754791#ht_4341wt_952

**sorry if i can't post links on here, not sure of rules on CR yet...
 
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