Lighting Recommendation for my 20G shrimp tank

[Hockiumguru]

Looking to upgrade the lighting on my 20G shrimp tank.

ATM i'm considering either the

Coralife Freshwater Aqualight- 24" Power Compact Light-1 x 65W
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/...pactlight1x65w

or

1 x 55 watt Bright Kit from ahsupply

Given their prices are identical (once you order a bulb and pay shipping on the ahsupply fixture) what differences are there between the two, or are thier any at all?
I'm looking to try a glosso mat with dwarf hairgrass and a yet to be determined plant. Would these units suffice in a 24lx16hx12w tank?

thanks.

[dbosman@msu.edu]

55 Watt bulbs can be a bit easier to get locally if you need to. The AH kit has a better reflector. I think most here will suggest you go with T5 with a reflector for each tube, though.

[Left C]

I have that same 65w fixture. When I got it, I replaced the stock 6700K bulb with a GE 9325K 55w straight pin PC. It grows plants well and it brings out the colors. I purchased the 9325K bulb from Light Bulbs Direct for $14.20 plus shipping.

Even though the Aqualight has a poor reflector, there is an option that I really like. It is their flip up legs that they named adjustable. You can flip the fixture a little past straight up. It is out of the way when you do maintenance.

[Hockiumguru]

Left C - do you grow glosso at all? (or are aware if the unit is capable of producing a mat of it).


Are there really any differences at all? Reflector was mentioned, which is important, anything else beyond that?

[Left C]

Originally Posted by Hockiumguru

Left C - do you grow glosso at all? (or are aware if the unit is capable of producing a mat of it).


Are there really any differences at all? Reflector was mentioned, which is important, anything else beyond that?

I don't have any glosso in it, but it grows the prettiest Rotala macrandra that I have ever seen.

You could use an AHSupply kit and use the 9325K bulb. That would give you more light into the water.

I tolerate the poor reflector of the Aqualight because of the available flip up legs. I really like them. You don't have to move things around to work on it. You simply flip the fixture up out of the way.

If the Aqualights came with a reflector similar to AHSupply's, they would work very well. That is where Current USA's Orbit fixtures come in. They have great reflectors for PC's.

Have you checked out any 2x24w 24" T5HO fixtures?

[pb300]

Left C: The reflector in my 36" 96w aqualight is shaped like the ones made by ahsupply, but is only 3 inches wide instead of 4. Is yours different then that? Like you mentioned, the adjustable legs are very convenient.

[Hockiumguru]

Originally Posted by Left C

Have you checked out any 2x24w 24" T5HO fixtures?

I haven't no, are there any that come in the same price range as these 2 units? ($75)

[SpeedEuphoria]

http://suburbanreef.com/items.aspx?c...=34&header=386

$54 for the 24" 2x 24w T5HO

You may want to call them as they are now using individual reflectors AFAIK

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by SpeedEuphoria

http://suburbanreef.com/items.aspx?c...=34&header=386

$54 for the 24" 2x 24w T5HO

You may want to call them as they are now using individual reflectors AFAIK

Nice!

[Hockiumguru]

Thanks for the recommendation - I am looking into it, certianly looks like a great option.

Can anyone else vouch for one of these units? Will it be able to do what I'd like it to?