Compact Flourescent ?

[nemoisfound]

Hi everyone! Im new to marine aquariums and had a question about lighting. I have a 30 gal cube tank aprox. 20.5W"x18.5D"x19H" My tank seems to small to have VHO type light so i was leaning towards power compacts. I was told to fit as many as i can under the hood, if i do that i can fit 4 bulbs. what do you think? trying to build a reef tank. thanks


link of product:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...-fluorescent_realux_retrofit_kits.asp?CartId=

 

[fishermann]

what type of corals???? softies,lps,sps?????

 

[Gordo]

It all depends on what kind for corals you want. Most all corals should do okay under 144 watts. You may not get good growth from SPS though. Another option would be to put one 250W metal halide with two small actinics. It will be a little more money, but I think that would be great for a tank that size.

 

[CarlaW]

I know that PFO makes a hood with one metal halide and 2 cf lites. I had it over my 54 gallon corner tank for a while.

 

[Alice]

You also might want to check out North Coast Marine and Premium Aquatics, two of our sponsors. Excellent reputations and good pricing.

 

[Johnny]

Be prepared to change the bulbs every 6 months, from what I can tell that is about the time the spectrum shift gets bad.

 

[nemoisfound]

ok, I am now leaning towards metal halide with two small actinics. i don't know what kind of corals i wand to put in my tank but a variety would be nice. I have heard that metal halide bulbs have to be a sertian distance from the water to keep the water from gettig too hot, and to keep uv radiation from entering the water?? I don't know the facts? does anyone know of a place i could purchase a type of retro fit kit for a good price?