Enough lights?

[annabelseymour]

I'm starting to get quite a few LPS now - all doing well - even my Sun coral thanks to help from this forum. I'm worried that I need to get more lights for them to really flourish.

My tank is 5' x 2' but is quite deep - 2.5' and holds 180 US gallons.

I have 2 x 54w T5 lights, 1 blue and 1 white and I also have 2 of the new TMC ultima 2000 reef white tiles.

Would be interested on opinions if I have enough light.

Currently corals include a Duncan, a torch, 2 types of lobophyllia, a favia, an open brain, a bubble, a Sun coral that doesn't need the light and some soft corals. I also have a clam and a bubble tip anemone that I believe need good light.

Thanks for any input.

 

[QPWithCheeseQP]

Hmm with a tank that tall t5 probably won't penetrate deep enough. I would consider adding some led strips.

 

[frankyrivera]

T5's will be fine but you're gonna need way more than 2 maybe 8 or 10 add more rocks that way some corals will be higher up

 

[eatbreakfast]

The clam and the anemone will need more light. The duncan, lobo, open brain, and bubble will be fine anywhere in the tank with the light you have, they dont need much light. The torch and favia will be fine as long as they are in the top half of the tank with the lights you have as well. It depends on the softies you have whether your current lighting is adequate. Some do better in high light, whereas most would be fine with your current lighting.

Most of the corals you mentioned are happier in what most reefers would consider low light. And, in fact, could experience trouble with too bright of light, or not increasing the light gradually.