Another lighting question for 29 gallon

[Dive Girl]

I have a 29 Gallon tank and my lighting consist of the Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe (double linear strip 65 watt 10,000K and 65 watt true actinic CFL with two moon-glow LEDs).

I would like a reef tank with maybe a BTA (I know, about not getting the BTA for some time).

I'm wondering if I keep the light I have and add a MH pendant, will that give me enough lighting to meet my needs?

I don't have a chiller which is why I'm thinking about the pendant. I'm hoping that I could hang it high enough so that I can still run my tank without the chiller.

Would adding a couple T5s be a better option?

Will the T5s create enough heat for me to then need a chiller?

Since my current lighting system is just a couple of weeks old, I'd really like to add in a fixture instead of completely upgrading my lights.

Thanks for any advice.

[charlie]

I really think that on a 29, the T5 option would be as good or better than what you already have. They would be good in addition also. I also think that the T5 would be less heat than the CFL!!!! Do a little searching around on here about T5 lighting, there is alot of info here. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Dive Girl]

Thanks for the info Charlie. I've gotten a chiller and am seriously looking at MH.

With a 30", I don't have a lot of choices. I could do the 30" Current SunPod, or go with a 24" combo with MH and T-5s. What would you suggest?

[charlie]

Go with the 24", that would be my suggestion. You would end up having a little dark spot on either side of the tank, but I think you could live with that.
JMHO

[Dive Girl]

Thanks! Took your advice! I got a 24" MH with T5 lights. I'll keep my current CFs for a fuge should I set one of those up in the future. Otherwise I'll either keep it as a back up or sell it.

[charlie]

You know of course, that now you are going to have to take before and after pics for us.

It is rule 4001/b in the user agreement.

[Dive Girl]

Ohhh, that's right!!

I'm sorry that I didn't take a photo of the tank the first night it was set up. Of course it was just a glass box with cloudy, sandy water and rocks you couldn't see.

There isn't a minimum distance that the light has to be off the water is there? Is a couple of inches fine? What do you use for a lid? I'm currently using (I think it's called) egg crate, but wonder if I'll need to change that?

[charlie]

I don't think I would put the halide that low. What wattage MH is it. Do you have a center brace?

I don't use anything for a lid on either of my tanks, my halides are 12" the top of the water level. Of course, I am running 4 400w halides over my 300.

[charlie]

Oh, I forgot, we will let you skate once on the pics, but from now on................................

[Dive Girl]

I did the 150w. Thought that 250 would be too much as the tank is only 29 gallons. I have to have a lid as I have some jumpers.

The other morning I was on the computer when I heard a funny noise. I looked over at my tank and noticed that my sleeper had decided to see if he could get into my skimmer.

His name is Geronimo but I almost changed it to Augustus Gloop (the kid that gets sucked up the pipe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. )

I know it is sick that I took a photo before I set him free....

[charlie]

You are lucky you got the poor guy out of there!!!!! No wonder you have eggcrate on top.

I would still try to keep the lites 4-5" off the top, maybe I am just being conservative, but I would rather err on the cautious side.

Augustus Gloop (the kid that gets sucked up the pipe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. )

Wow, an oldie, but a goodie.