Lighting Question: Best light for 29g reef?

[dizzim]

I've tried doing some research on LEDs vs MH and I like that LEDs are cooler and don't need bulb replacements as much but what are the drawbacks?

Also for a 29g reef how many lumens would you recommend? Can't seem to find a simple lumens/gallon ratio as a guidline to follow.

Ideally coral I would like are pulsing xenias and some zoas.

Thanks

 

[Platehead]

Corals you mentioned don't have high light requirements. A low end T5 will be fine.

 

[dizzim]

How many watts should I be looking at?

 

[dizzim]

Can anyone recommend at least a brand that makes good inexpensive T5's. Should I be looking at ebay or buy a name brand to last longer and hopefully have some kind of customer service attached to it?

Thanks!

 

[Bobbofin]

30" tanks can be a tough size. A 2x24w T5 would do you fine.

I've tried doing some research on LEDs vs MH and I like that LEDs are cooler and don't need bulb replacements as much but what are the drawbacks?

Also for a 29g reef how many lumens would you recommend? Can't seem to find a simple lumens/gallon ratio as a guidline to follow.

Ideally coral I would like are pulsing xenias and some zoas.

Thanks

 

[this is me]

I would get at least 4x24W T5s. ATI powermodule(discontinued, so have to look at used) or ATI sun power. You starts with polyps and Xenia. But it will evolved to more light requiring corals. Have the extra horse power when needed.
Buy it right and buy it once. Last thing you want in this hobby is not having enough equipment. There's ton of other stuff to worry about.

 

[P-Nut]

I would get at least 4x24W T5s. ATI powermodule(discontinued, so have to look at used) or ATI sun power. You starts with polyps and Xenia. But it will evolved to more light requiring corals. Have the extra horse power when needed.
Buy it right and buy it once. Last thing you want in this hobby is not having enough equipment. There's ton of other stuff to worry about.

^^ this. You will end up with more than just Xenia and zoas. Also, be careful with Xenias, when something is not right they are usually the first thing that dies, but don't freak out and change all your parameters overnight by adding a bunch of crap in the water.