Need Advise on Lights for 30G cube

[Jverg]

Looking to the experts, as I am in the process of starting a 30G planted tank in an Oceanic cube and looking for lights that would support good plant growth.

So far looking at these clamp on options:
JBJ viper 150W HQI Fixture with a 10000K coralife bulb
JBJ viper k-2 150w with a 14000 Phoenix bulb
Aqualight Advanced Series 150W HQI metal halide

Please advise your thoughts on the ones listed above and if you have any other lighting suggestions as well.

Thanks

[wesleydnunder]

Those fixtures are gonna generate a lot of light for that small tank. If you go with a metal halide you'll have to suspend it high above the tank to avoid having too much light. I'm assuming with the choices you mention that the tank will have co2 and ferts. I'm not a big fan of 10,000K for planted tanks but I like the color it emits. The 6700K that I use for planted tanks is yellower so possibly less appealing to the eye but the plants do well under it.

If your aim with this tank is less aggressive, no co2 or ferts, I'd go with a single lamp T5 fixture or two-lamp T 8 fixture. The plants will be slower growing and there will be some ground covers that won't do well but overall you can have a lush, beautiful tank with much less expense and work.

Can you give an idea of what type of system you want?

Mark

[Jverg]

I was looking at adding C02 to this tank. I was also concerned about the heat generated from a MH for a tank of this size or is that not an issue for these clamp on fixtures?

Would love to use a T5 or two lamp T8 option. Have not been able to find used ones so far. Any suggestions on brands that I should look for or stay away from?

Tank dimensions are 20"l x 18"w x 20'H

Thanks

[mgarrido]

What kind of plants??? If you want a really nice planted tank i will go with 4xT5 20" or a single MH 150w, CO2, Ferts and ADA Soil. The 4 T5 bulbs is more versatil because you have more options for play with the colors of your taste, but i like more the shimmer efect of the MH. But finally everything depends of what you want and your budget.

[Mzungu]

The problem with a 30g Oceanic cube is that it's 20" in length, and not many sell T5 fixtures that are 20" long.

I have great success with using 1 or 2 40W Current Compact Fluorescent fixtures (the 20" ones). However, I don't think those fixtures are offered for sale (new) anymore. Current is, however, selling 20" T5HOs now, which I just learned, but only have a 4-lamp T5 fixture for them - I don't see a 2-lamp fixture. This would mean 80W of light over a 30g, which is doable if you're planning to use CO2. Definitely.

I have tried their T5HOs, and was pleased with the results. :)

[dustin]

i am using the 20" coralife with the 96 watt quad bulb and love it!!!!!

here is mine before i replanted

[soymilk]

Actually a lot of manufactures produce a 2 bulb 20" t5ho. I've seen one from coralife, aquaticlife, and currentUSA.

[Mzungu]

Actually a lot of manufactures produce a 2 bulb 20" t5ho. I've seen one from coralife, aquaticlife, and currentUSA.

Like I said, Current came out with one recently, but I wasn't aware of others. I just looked, and Aquaticlife has one, but I didn't see one from Coralife. Good to know! I know when I was looking for one a few years ago, they didn't exist.

[Jverg]

Thanks everyone. Picked up an Aquaticlife fixture from City Pets over the weekend. It fits perfect.