I had some extra equipment laying around, and decided to setup a 20 gallon long in my bedroom. I am currently using a Maxspect nano in the tank, but there are some shadows in the corner. Any light recommendations to fully light this tank up? I would mainly like softies and lps in this tank, but also looking at a birdsnest, and something like a rainbow or sunset monti. The tank is 30" long.
Agree with SilentReefer. T5's are inexpensive and are proven coral growers. If you want to go LED there are some newer versions with diffuser lenses that might cover a 20L with one light.
Any recommendations on a T5 fixture? It needs to cover 30", since that is the length of the tank. I have been researching, but honestly not sure what to go with.
The least expensive you can find with reflectors. I was going to get a hydroponic but Odyssea was on sale through eBay.
I would go with a 24'' t5 or possibly get an LED thats a bit larger to allow coverage. I currently have a ball python in my 20 gallon that I use for new coral qt but before I had the snake I was using a maxspect razor that is 24" with t5 supplements. I put higher end sps in it so I was going heavy on the light.
Do you think a 24" t5 light would cover the 30" tank without shadowing the corner? I've never ran t5s, but my LEDs only spread 24" wide, and that's the issue.
There will be some shadowing with them if you don't have the light high enough off the tank. I am using them right now on my 48'' tank and they cover most of the tank and they are only about 6 to 8 inches off the water. So it won't be a whole lot of shadowing and with that said its only 2 blue plus bulbs.