Lighting recommendations for 20 long softie frag tank

[PDR]

I'm in the process of setting up a 20 long aquarium to use as an test/experimental frag tank. This tank will only have softies. I am looking to keep this project as low cost as possible. If it works out ok I would love to scale up the project and at that point expense won't be much of a concern.

I currently have a 30" dual t5 (standard not HO) fixture left over from my planted tank that I would like to use but I'm concerned it may not be powerful enough.

Lighting is my main weakness in reefing so I need some help determining not what is best, but what will work well for this lower cost project.

Thanks!

 

[Sagecritter4life]

I'm in the process of setting up a 20 long aquarium to use as an test/experimental frag tank. This tank will only have softies. I am looking to keep this project as low cost as possible. If it works out ok I would love to scale up the project and at that point expense won't be much of a concern.

I currently have a 30" dual t5 (standard not HO) fixture left over from my planted tank that I would like to use but I'm concerned it may not be powerful enough.

Lighting is my main weakness in reefing so I need some help determining not what is best, but what will work well for this lower cost project.

Thanks!

I had/have the exact same setup and eventually when bought a par meter was only 40 par on bottom but my zoas/acans/duncan/frogspawn coral actually were fine for most part and could get 65 if 4" of bottom on mag rack.

I upgraded to an ai prime HD now running centered and comfortably 80-110 on the glass bottom under light with 40-50 towards either end for anything likes less par but mainly so wasn't such a big acclimation to main tank thats running 110 on sand.

So for softies and some low light lps it will somewhat work in nutshell.

I Still only run a fluval 50 hob with a heater no skimmer just water changes just little better light.

Picture was with the 30" dual t5 ho before switched to a prime corals were fine [emoji6]