Lighting a 29gal lps/sps reef

[meteors16]

I am planning on upgrading my 29 gal aquarium. Just added a sump and new skimmer. I talked to preuss's pets and the gentlemen suggested a 4 bulb fixture for what I want to do. I am now unsure of which fixture I want to go with. There are two that I am deciding between at the moment. Any feedback would be great.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_U...FIT54U-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLi...FIT54U-vi.html


Once I have the fixture. I also want to switch the bulbs out. Depending on how the fixture allows me to configure the bulbs I was thinking something like this:

Front
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue +

[jimsflies]

If you built your own or modded a 30-inch long fixture, Helios makes a 30-inch HO-T5. Preuss can get the bulbs in as well.

[Sir Patrick]

I would definitly go with a 4 bulb t5ho on that tank- good advice!

[jolson10450]

on my 29g i use 24" lights and i grow sps and lps fine! and clams!!! i use:

front to back:

Ati blue +
Ati aquablue special
kz fiji purple
ATI blue +

[kgood1]

I have an AquaticLife fixture And I love it. The bulb choice you mentioned is perfect.

[Manoj's Reef]

Couple of things you want to consider when picking lighting for your tank.

LPS and SPS have conflicting lighting requirements.
More bulb options is always better, it gives you flexibility
More bulbs also means increase in temperature , so you have think about how you want to maintain temp

[meteors16]

In terms of quality of ballast, quality of reflectors and overall quality of the fixture does anyone have any experience? Deciding between the two. Foster and Smith has the Sundial on sale for $207. I know where I can purchase the aquaticlife unit for $289. So I'm just curious which would be the better route. I know which my wallet would prefer.

[meteors16]

on my 29g i use 24" lights and i grow sps and lps fine! and clams!!! i use:

front to back:

Ati blue +
Ati aquablue special
kz fiji purple
ATI blue +

I would love to see some pics!!!

[jolson10450]

I would love to see some pics!!!

i will get some later. my camera sucks though so it wont be focused good but you will see the color. i retrofit mine btw. bough reflectors and end caps, the bulbs, and 2 workhorse 5 ballasts and it cost me $250-$275 shipped. i ordered seperate ballasts so i could do just actinics on or just daylights on, also those ballasts can run 4 bulbs each so if one ballast blows i can use the other to keep all of my lights running until i can get another. i used icecap reflectors and end cap.

i built my canopy out of 1x3's cost me around $20 for all of the wood and stain and screws. super cheap. then i "borrowed" a fan from work a cut a hole in the top of the canopy and use that for cooling if my tank gets to hot.

i will get you pictures later.

[streetrodder007]

I run a 24" 4 lamp Aquaticlife fixture on a 54 gal. corner tank. The light is very nice and easy to use, I would certainly buy another. I also added a Mixed lamp LED stunner strip with aluminum lense to help out in the back. The lights fill the tank good and looks even, but my only complaint is the depth of my tank might be too deep, and PAR starts lacking at 24" I feel.