Do I have enough lighting?

[conk12301]

I have a 36 gallon marine tank that I hope to turn into a reef tank eventually with some soft corals, but I'm not sure if I have enough lighting.

I have a Deep Blue Solar Max 24 inch double fixture with a T5 and actinic blue. Each bulb is 24 watts a piece, so I have 48 watts. I was told one good T5 and one good actinic should be enough to grow some basic corals, so when I found this fixture for $80 I got it right away.

My aquarium doesn't quite glow like many of the others on here, so I'm wondering if maybe my lighting isn't good enough. Does anyone have any feedback and experience with this fixture?

I actually have just enough space on top of my tank to fit another one of the exact same fixtures, which would bump me up to 96 watts. For another $80, would this be a good investment? Would my tank glow any brighter than it does now? Or should I scrap what I have and get a much better fixture?

 

[karsseboom]

I would say you need more than 2 t-5s to grow corals. Maybe some mushrooms but even then i would want at least 3 t-5 four would be nice.

 

[RotaryGeek]

With what you have, I wouldn't worry about sorties, and some LPS with regular feedlots. Obviously it's not enough light for higher end corals, but adding another fixture on top would def help.

 

[nanojg]

It will be fine for mushrooms and some lps higher up.

 

[conk12301]

The 48 watts would be fine? Or if I bump it up to 96?

I'm really mostly interested in keeping some star polyps and stuff like that.

 

[conk12301]

And if I add two more bulbs, should they both be t5 or should I go with one regular t5 and one actinic?

 

[conk12301]

bump - going to the store today, wanted to get some input beforehand