suggestions

[killian]

i have a 29gl tank i am wanting to make it into a reef tank eventually. i am wandering what type of lighting i would probably need and how many watts. i do not really want to spend a large amount but am very interested in doing this. i would like some suggestions in what to do and maybe some price ranges if anyone has some. thanks for your help.

[MistyJ]

What are the dimensions of you tank? I'm not familier w/ 29-gallons specs.

And I don't have any answers necessarily, but have been doing a lot of research on lighting lately so when I know your specs I can share some sites that I've found.

As far as that not spending a lot of $$$...yeah, I had that same thought. Gave up on it about a month ago. If it's not lighting, it's livestock, RO water, skimmers... And I don't even have FISH yet!

[chromis]

killian, I would go with 2 X 96 watt PC or 1 X 250 watt MH. I dont know how much the PCs are but for about $180 you can get a killer iwasaki retro kit from reefland or premium aquatics.

HTH
Andrew

[icemark]

Yeah 29s are a weird size for lights, (30 inchs long).

Depending on your budget, I would either go with:

Cheap: LOA 9266 and a couple of NO 24inch flourescents.

Med: VHO (icecap 440 ballast) and three 24" bulbs or Halide PFO 250 watt single ballast and 1 X 250 Iwasaki 65K bulb

Expensive: Halide Icecap 250 watt ballast and 1x 250 Iwasaki bulb + 2 (or 3) 24inch VHO (icecap 440 ballast) 03 bulbs.

Remember that the more you spend the better things you can try and keep (like Clams or hard corals need more light than softies and 'shrooms).

[killian]

where would i be able to get these lights. either ones i do not care. iw ould rather not order them online.

[CaptainK]

Hi killian,
I have a 29G tank set up with corals and fish.
Here is what I have for lighting:
65W Lights Of America - $20
2x28W CustomSeaLife (1-6700K 1-Actin) - around $100
17W Normal Flourescent (sp?) Actin bulb - removed from original canopy from the 29G.

My Corals, macroalgaes, and now coraline algaes are doing pretty good.

I do not think that the 96W bulb fixtures would fit on this tank. But I am pretty sure that 55W or 65W fixtures would fit well on this size tank.
And you might be better off getting these light fixtures somewhere online. They will probably be easier to find and the prices will be better.
Try some of these places:
www.premiumaquatics.com
www.ffexpress.com (they are running a sale now on CustomSeaLife fixtures)
www.marinedepot.com

HTH,
CaptK