T5 lighting for a 20gal

[milkshake]

What T5 configuration would be suitable for a 20g? The bulbs woud be 24". The tank will be all LPS. No hammers. Will be mainly wells,micros, and acans. Would a 4 bulb or 6 bulb be the best? I'm looking to D.I.Y. the lighting. Looking to use a IC 430 for the ballast.

[milkshake]

^

[reefman23]

4x24 watts would be all you can really fit over a 20L or a 20H being that they are only 12" front to back. I have 4x24 watt Tek retro over my 20 unstaggered and I get great coverage from end to end and they are quite bright/intense. RIght now I am running (2)ATI Blue Plus, (1) Geisemann Super Actinic, (1) ATI Aquablue Special. I get good growth/color in my acroporas/milleporas, it has a nice blue tint, and keeps my two croceas very happy!

Jesse

[milkshake]

Thanks reefman! That's an answer I have been looking for. I've never dealt with T5's so I had no idea what kinda coverage there would be. What ballast are you using?

[milkshake]

I did find this for a 20g http://www.aquauniverse.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,1135/category_id,62/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/

That was why I mentioned 4 or 6 bulb.

[reefman23]

I dont think the reflectors are very effective on those units. I dont think they are parabolic in shape and they also arent wide enough... the Teks are about 2.5" or so and the IC reflectors are even wider.

Jesse