Lighting question: how much is too much for a 20gal?

[pdonovan92130]

I have a 20 gal tank in my garage that I used as a quarantine tank for a 90gal. Now the 20 gal is my only tank. I only have 55w 50/50 on it and I want more light.

I was considering putting a 150w 20k HQI on it. I went down to buy one from the LFS and they talked me out of it but I'm still not convinced. The warning was that much light would heat the small tank too much, which I might agree with. It's open on the top - no canopy.

I could stick with the plan for 150W or downgrade to a 70W but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble for 70W.

Is anyone running a Sunpod 1x70W as shown here:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU01059

I'm only be going to keep softies and maybe an LPS or 2 (frogspawn,etc); no SPS.

Thanks,
Pat

[Daniel]

150w is perfect IMO for a 20g tank.

BUT, if you're only planning to keep softies and LPS, you really don't need something that power consuming. A 70w HQI would be more than enough for softies & LPS... the only drawback to that is, if you do decide to get a frag or two of SPS corals, you'll regret not going 150w for the 20g.

[FishBulb]

I think a 150W HQI would be fine for a 20. Is it deep or a 20 long? Heat would be the only concern I would have. Do you have a sump? What kind of corals do you plan to keep?

[july865]

i run 150 hqi biult by "current USA" running on top of my 24g aquapod.. best light IMO.

[SolRo]

I could build you a 171 watt LED fixture if you're interested, overheating wont be an issue.

[pdonovan92130]

Yep, thanks for the confirmation. I went ahead and ordered the 150w Sunpod made by Current USA from MarineDepot.

-Pat