Lighting

Ok with the brains I would suggest , and this is only my suggestion, MH you are a beginning reefer and there is nothing wrong with that but there are many things to watch with corals. If you jump out of the gate with power packed deeper penetrating light you will not have to worry as much about where you place the corals. Of cource you still need to research and put them in the best spot available in your tank but IMO brains under T-5's isn't worth it when you can diy a halide setup with t-5 suppliments if you wanted for a decient price. SAVE THE MONEY AND DO IT NOW!!!! Otherwise you will upgade later and the old lighting will have been a waste.

I say this as I look at the 96Wquad pc fixture that bobert is buying off of me for a third of what I paid for it.

so should i look at 70watt or 150 watt?

How deep is the tank??? If you would like to keep all the more light demanding corals up top and shrooms and zoos down bottom I would say 70 if you want to mix it up a little then I would go with 150

I'd go 150...

29 gallon is 30l 12d 18t

so are shrooms and zoos considered lower light corals?

I'd go 150 and you will be fine. If you get the 14K bulbs you could go with the coralife fixture and it mounts on the tank so there would be no, or minimal heat issues.

cool. well im gonna run for the night. i will probly have some ques tommorw. i will be busy studying during work.hehe (as long as i dont get caught)

Have fun and dream salty dreams!!!!!!

So will a screw type halide bulb work in a normal socket, then just wire the ballast and make a reflector?

Nope I would get a metal halide mongule socket. It is the right part for the job and they are not that expensive.