Question On Lighting Types

[Sinister Reef]

When I get my first 20 nano tank built using T5's, I would probably want to build a 2nd 20 long nano. With this 2nd nano Like to do the lighting a little different. So I have a few questions.

1] what's the difference between MH and HQI ( I had seen HQI in threads on other forums I was checking out?

2] If I go with MH what's the lowest wattage can I use for a 20 long and how many would be sufficient 1 or 2?

3] Still on MH's what kind of affect would i see on my electric bill between the different watt bulbs?

4] How much does the price of the different watt bulbs cost?

5] How often would the MH bulb need to be change?

6] would you reccomend running a combination of either MH & T5's or MH & CF

Now we are moving on to the next lights.

7] what do you guys think of CF lights?

8] How many CF Bulbs would be best on a 20 long?

9] Can the CF be as power hungry as the MH?

At this poing I know there probably more questions, but for some reason they just don't want to come to the surface in my mind. I think they are afraid that they will get answered. lol

 

[Letsgotothezoo]

do some research....check out marinedepot.com and check out the prices on lighting. We also have lighting forum here.:thrasher:

 

[EyeReef]

No way an expert but I will attempt to answer these questions briefly. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can chime in

1] what's the difference between MH and HQI ( I had seen HQI in threads on other forums I was checking out?
I think HQI falls under Metal halide. Double ended bulbs are using HQI?
2] If I go with MH what's the lowest wattage can I use for a 20 long and how many would be sufficient 1 or 2?

I believe a one 150 watt should be more than enough for a 20.

3] Still on MH's what kind of affect would i see on my electric bill between the different watt bulbs?

The higher the wattage, the more the electricity.

4] How much does the price of the different watt bulbs cost?

It varies...you can check out our sponsors for pricing.

5] How often would the MH bulb need to be change?

Depends..some people say 8-12 months. Personally I changed them out every year.

6] would you reccomend running a combination of either MH & T5's or MH & CF

MH and T5's tend to be the popular choice right now. But with a 20l, Im not sure if you would need the extra supplemental lighting

Now we are moving on to the next lights.

7] what do you guys think of CF lights?

Should be sufficient if you are keeping only soft corals.

8] How many CF Bulbs would be best on a 20 long?

Depends on what you want to keep.

9] Can the CF be as power hungry as the MH?

a watt is a watt.. a 200 watt of cf will use the same amount of electricity as 200 watt of MH.

 

[Bekindtoyurbuds]

No way an expert but I will attempt to answer these questions briefly. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can chime in

1] what's the difference between MH and HQI ( I had seen HQI in threads on other forums I was checking out?
I think HQI falls under Metal halide. Double ended bulbs are using HQI?
2] If I go with MH what's the lowest wattage can I use for a 20 long and how many would be sufficient 1 or 2?

I believe a one 150 watt should be more than enough for a 20.

3] Still on MH's what kind of affect would i see on my electric bill between the different watt bulbs?

The higher the wattage, the more the electricity.

4] How much does the price of the different watt bulbs cost?

It varies...you can check out our sponsors for pricing.

5] How often would the MH bulb need to be change?

Depends..some people say 8-12 months. Personally I changed them out every year.

6] would you reccomend running a combination of either MH & T5's or MH & CF

MH and T5's tend to be the popular choice right now. But with a 20l, Im not sure if you would need the extra supplemental lighting

Now we are moving on to the next lights.

7] what do you guys think of CF lights?

Should be sufficient if you are keeping only soft corals.

8] How many CF Bulbs would be best on a 20 long?

Depends on what you want to keep.

9] Can the CF be as power hungry as the MH?

a watt is a watt.. a 200 watt of cf will use the same amount of electricity as 200 watt of MH.

+1 on everything he said, just to add one thing to #7 I think you would be fine with most lps also, even some sps (some sps not all) thats if your running at least 130 PC lighting (compact flourescent's)

i run 130 watt pc lighting on my 15 gal, and all soft and lps do fine, I have even heard that you can keep some sps under these lights and they do fine, though I do not, FYI my 15 gal is the same height as a 20 long.

 

[Reefer08]

When I get my first 20 nano tank built using T5's, I would probably want to build a 2nd 20 long nano. With this 2nd nano Like to do the lighting a little different. So I have a few questions.

1] what's the difference between MH and HQI ( I had seen HQI in threads on other forums I was checking out?

2] If I go with MH what's the lowest wattage can I use for a 20 long and how many would be sufficient 1 or 2?

3] Still on MH's what kind of affect would i see on my electric bill between the different watt bulbs?

4] How much does the price of the different watt bulbs cost?

5] How often would the MH bulb need to be change?

6] would you reccomend running a combination of either MH & T5's or MH & CF

Now we are moving on to the next lights.

7] what do you guys think of CF lights?

8] How many CF Bulbs would be best on a 20 long?

9] Can the CF be as power hungry as the MH?

At this poing I know there probably more questions, but for some reason they just don't want to come to the surface in my mind. I think they are afraid that they will get answered. lol

What kind of corals do you plan on keeping? Their is nothing wrong with CF, they just aren't good for SPS. But they are great for LPS and softies! Personally I would never put SPS in a 20 long tank anyways, they require way too much stability and attention to water quality and its difficult in a nano tank.

Bulbs need to be changed yearly btw.