Lighting Suggestions

[Nalaundi]

hey all.

I was thinking (already) to upgrade my lighting. I dont want to to Metal Halide... cause it is to expensive to run (and buy) but want to step up from what i have.
I heard that my lighting is not the greatest so im not sure which route to go.
what I have now is a Jebo oddessey (sp?) 2x 65 watt 24" double fann double lunar light system. it sits 16" from sand bed and has a glass canopy over tank.. cleaned off daily for my 20gL (30" tank)


I want to incorporate corals whith "moderate or almost strong lighting.. no hard corals but some with a little more need than the polyps, mushrooms and the like. I dont want the super light hungry corals like acropora)

should I go to the dual satalite same setup but better brand?
like the Coralife aqualight dual (24" or 30") would that get me what I need

or should I just bite the bullet and go for a T5 lighting.. if so what wattage? im really confused on the wattage differences between the different types of setups.. i know that t5 is more than t8 and so forth... but by how much confuses me. (my little brain is fried!)

ive read so much in books and internet sites, but Im still majorly confused anyone? help?

 

[SkiFletch]

Problem with going T5s, while a fantastic option is that nobody makes 30" T5 lamps. There are 24" and 36" but niether offers enough coverage. If I were you I'd do one of two things since you say MH is out of the question. Either purchase better bulbs for your current fixture since the Jebo ones are kind of junky, or purchase a coralife or currentusa model. One of the drawbacks of the Jebo setup is that there is only one reflector for both PC bulbs so a lot of light is wasted

 

[Nalaundi]

ahhh I like that answer.. I will do that!

I will go check out bulbs .. then see if i need to check out the current lighting! thanks so much!

 

[SkiFletch]

Just remember to get the right type bulb, square or straight pin, and match the wattage of course. Pretty sure the 65watt jebos are straight-pin

 

[Nalaundi]

ah. yes... I ment to go check what they were before going to work... we sell coralife cp 21"there.. wanted to check prices. thanks for the tip!