Light Upgrade on 20 long

[TooFar2Sea]

My 20 gallon long currently has 2x20w NO flourescent bulbs. I am thinking of upgrading to PC lighting. Would 2x55w or 2x36w be my best choice? As to bulb choice, how about a 10,000K and an 03 Actinic? Is it best to have separate bulbs or a combination 50/50 type bulb? Finally, are you supposed to use a glass under PC bulbs?

 

[MIKE NY1]

Your lighting choice depends on what type of animals you want to keep. If it's a F/O then it doesn't matter. It would be whatever lighting you like. The type of coral you want to keep will dictate the type of lighting you will have to get.
On a twenty I would run the 2x55 or 65 PCs and if you want to keep SPS corals I would get stronger lighting than that. I like the look of the 50/50 bulbs, put the seperate bulbs I think are cheaper to replace. I don't have anything between my lighting and the water. If you do use glass or anything else keep it clean because it will effect the light spectrum.

Good Luck
Mike

 

[Rich-n-poor]

Go with the 2x55 watt pc's instead of the 2X36 watt. I have these on my 37 gallon which is the same footprint as a 20 but much taller.

I would go with the 10,000 k bulb also as the 6500 K produces a yellowish light when the acinic isnt on. I plan on upgrading to 10,000 k when I replace my bulb.

if you go with seperate rather than combo bulbs you can turn the blue on at first and then both bulbs later to give you a dusk to dawn effect

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Honda NSR500